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From: "Jeff Butler" <>
Subject: [NMB] Monument to late James Renforth
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:41:41 +1100


Taken from an article from the London News Dec 7 1872
A monument has been erected in St,Edmund's Cemetery, Gateshead, to the memory of the late James Renforth, the champion sculler, who died of excessive exertion while rowing an international race in America last summer. The design of this work of art by Mr George Burn, sculptor of Newcastle. The monument is composed entirely of fine Prudham stone 11ft-6inchs height width at the base of 8ft and the weight of 14 tons. It is a parallelogram in form, composed of three basement courses, on which are carved in relief three rampant lions of England and the seven stars of America, which give an international character to the design. The inscription reads:---Erected by public subscription to the memory of James Renforth, of Gateshead, champion sculler of the world,who died August 23 1871 aged 29 years, while rowing in an international boat-race between English and American crews on the Kennebecassis river near St John's N.B.
On the monument as well in high relief the life-size medallions of James Percy and Robert Chambers who were in the boat with Renforth when he died. The top of the monument has two , figure's one of Renforth falling into the arms of his friend and companion Harry Kelley, in the boat, which is surrounded by a ribbon-scroll carrying the text" In the midst of life we are in death"


There is a drawing to go with the article showing the monument, I can scan it and send it if anyone is interred please reply off list

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