special events

Special events on the River Thames Every so often special events take place on the River Thames for which the R.S.Hispaniola provides splendid viewing facilities - beautiful surroundings with two bars, excellent food (tapas served all day, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner) and great views from the open decks.

 When you next read or hear about a special event on the River Thames in central London, think about the Hispaniola. 

 It's a great place from which to join in the fun.

Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race Cruise

22nd July 2008

             1900           2000

This annual race was first contested in 1715 and is said to be the oldest sporting contest in continued existence. The contestants are drawn from the ranks of newly-qualified Thames Watermen and Lightermen. The course has always been four miles and five furlongs from London Bridge to Chelsea. Thomas Doggett was an Irish actor and comedian who came to London about the year 1690 and, after considerable success on the stage, became a manager of different London theatres. He lived in the village of Chelsea and made regular use of the Watermen of the Thames to take him to and from places of work. These Watermen were licensed to row passengers along and across the River Thames to and from the various plying stairs, as the boarding and alighting places were known.  Watermen were, in effect, the equivalent of modern taxi drivers.

In his Will, Doggett remembered the Watermen and bequeathed a sum of money to ensure that an annual race be organised with the prize of a scarlet coat and breeches upon which would be worn a silver arm badge. He wished the race to be in commemoration of His Majesty King George the First’s “happy accession to the British Throne”.

Doggett’s executors paid over the sum of £300 to the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers who agreed to henceforth administer the race. This agreement has been kept faithfully although the costs of providing the badges and livery have increased considerably. Those entitled to take part in the race continue to be young Watermen who are in their first year of Freedom of the Watermen’s Company and in recent years this has been extended to include a few qualified young women. As numbers of apprentice Watermen and Lightermen have declined, since the early 1960’s unsuccessful competitors have been allowed to row again in their second and even third years of Freedom.

Join us for lunch on board the Hispaniola and cheer on the contestants from the grandstand of our sun terraces. 

Its a great day on the river.

 

new year's eve fireworks

R.S.Hispaniola provides one of the best vantage points from which to view the New Year's Eve firework display in Central London.

Call us and put down a deposit to make sure of your grandstand seat for New Year's Eve 2008.

    

Location:	Victoria Embankment, London, by Hungerford Bridge
Nearest tube:	Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines)
Nearest suburban/main line:	Charing Cross