Doggett’s Coat and Badge

Doggett’s Coat and Badge, one of the world’s oldest continuing rowing races, held annually in England along the River Thames from London Bridge to Chelsea, a distance of 4 miles 5 furlongs (7.4 km). The race is a sculling contest between skiffs originally used to ferry passengers across the river. The racers are all members of the Watermen’s Company of the City of London. The contest was instituted in 1715 by Thomas Doggett, an English comic actor, to commemorate the accession of George I in 1714. Doggett provided for a cash prize and “an Orange coloured Livery with a Badge representing Liberty” to be awarded to the winner. Although the colour of the uniform has changed from orange to red and the cash prize is no longer awarded, Doggett’s decree continues to be fulfilled.