Restored Shrewsbury School boat takes part in historic river festival

A fully restored rowing tub built for Severn Hill in the 1920s will be taking to the water for a historic river festival this weekend.

The boat now called ‘Naulahka’ after the book by Rudyard Kiping was used to introduce boys to the sport of rowing, primarily as a coxed pair, before graduating to racing in much meaner and leaner craft.

When the next generation of tubs came along the boat was acquired by the Ironbridge Rowing Club to teach novices.  Fast forward to 1994, the rowing club had to clear the boat store prior to demolition, making way for a new clubhouse and facilities. Some of the older vessels were consigned to a bonfire, but a historic boat enthusiast called Alan Williams saved the Severn Hill craft from the fire along with four oars, three sweeps and a scull.

The boat still retained the Severn Hill colours on every component. Alan lovingly restored the tub over several years to bring her back to her former glory. He is taking the Naulahka to the Thames Traditional Boat Festival at Henley-on-Thames this weekend (July 14^th to 16^th) where he can be found at mooring D3.

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