This website covers all aspects of the rich history of rowing, as a sport, culture phenomena, a life style, and a necessary element to keep your wit and stay sane.
Eton: Jolly Floating Weather Part III, The Lower Boats
Defiance, one of the so-called Lower Boats in Eton’s Procession of Boats, engages in some rock and roll.
25 June 2025
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch concludes his report on Eton’s 2025 Procession of Boats. (Read Part I here and Part II here.)
The “Upper Boats” in Eton’s annual aquatic procession (covered in Part II) are for 17- to 18-year-olds but the “Lower Boats” looked at here are for “Colts” (under 16s) and “Junior Colts” (under 15s).
Thetis – Colts A
Thetis, named after the mythical Greek goddess of water, makes its way to the marshalling area.Just visible by the rigger is a pipe from a battery powered pump, something that the older and less watertight boats like Thetis now carry.The coxswain adopts a Parliamentary pose as he orders the crew to stand up in pairs.The salutes to King Charles, King George and the School having been given, stroke and bow have sat down and 2 and 7 are in the process of joining them.
Hibernia – Colts B
Hiberniais the Classical Latin name for Ireland. Erin go Braugh is the anglicisation of an Irish language phrase, Éirinn go Brách, and is used to express allegiance to Ireland.Hibernia’s blades and riggers are, naturally, green.Despite the apparent Irish connection, Hibernia pays homage to two British Kings.Numbers 4 and 5 are the last to sit.
Defiance – Junior Colts A
Swinging together.Bow and stroke are the last to stand.Job done.
Dreadnought – Junior Colts B
Dreadnought is not named after the revolutionary British battleship of 1906, there was a Dreadnought at Eton before 1852.A coxswain undoubtedly in charge.The Royal Standard flies from Windsor Castle indicating that the King is in residence. The boys have saluted him and his 4th great-grandfather.
Number 6’s floral decorations remain intact.
This picture taken at Masters’ Boathouse in 2017 shows the clinker construction of Dreadnought, its external keel and its generous rudder.
St George – Junior Colts C
Stroke’s sunflowers were entirely appropriate to the sunny and warm day.A study in concentration.Flower and water.Back to Masters’ Boathouse.
Alexandra – Junior Colts D
Alexandra is a wooden, fixed seat, fixed pin eight which, remarkably, was built in 2005.Outside hand off.The last boys standing.Soon, Fellows’ Eyot reverted to being a peaceful backwater again.
My thanks to alumnus James for taking me as his guest.
A couple of thoughts: Dreadnought looks clinker to me, not carvel? (And FWIW, there have been quite a few HMS Dreadnoughts.
And further on Dreadnought, it would be interesting to hear how they justify the blue ensign. Normally, at sea at least, wearing the blue ensign without requisite warrants etc is in breach of the merchant shipping act. If coming under the umbrella of a suitable yacht club (Royal Thames YC, for example?) then normally a burgee would also need to be flown. Or perhaps the Merchant Shipping Act doesn’t apply to the non-tidal Thames?
Thank you, Edward – You are right about Dreadnought being clinker built. I have now corrected that in the article. Regarding your other questions, I will leave that to the experts.
Hear The Boat Sing 
A couple of thoughts: Dreadnought looks clinker to me, not carvel? (And FWIW, there have been quite a few HMS Dreadnoughts.
And further on Dreadnought, it would be interesting to hear how they justify the blue ensign. Normally, at sea at least, wearing the blue ensign without requisite warrants etc is in breach of the merchant shipping act. If coming under the umbrella of a suitable yacht club (Royal Thames YC, for example?) then normally a burgee would also need to be flown. Or perhaps the Merchant Shipping Act doesn’t apply to the non-tidal Thames?
Thank you, Edward – You are right about Dreadnought being clinker built. I have now corrected that in the article. Regarding your other questions, I will leave that to the experts.
Göran B.
Editor, HTBS