Today saw the 295th anniversary of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager, a gruelling 7.5km single-scull rowing race up the River Thames starting at London Bridge and finishing at Cadogan Pier. This year’s winner was Dan Arnold, one of our young crew members and a Third Generation Waterman, son of David Arnold a captain for the Livett’s fleet.
To allow the competitors a clear and safe passage The Port of London Authority closes the river off for the duration of this historic event. The PLA then only allow two vessels to follow the race and therefore gain privileged viewing for their passengers. One is their own vessel and the other was from the Livett’s fleet; the glamorous replica paddles steamer, the Elizabethan, as pictured below.
