The handing over by Dartmouth’s Town Mayor of the Silver Oar (as a replica pin) to the Regatta Chairman is one of our oldest traditions. The badge represents the full size Oar which is held as part of the Town Regalia, and is a ceremonial gesture which takes place during the Official Opening Ceremony, indicating the town handing control to the Regatta Committee for the duration of the event.

The history of the Silver Oar started in 1333 when King Edward III acquired the lordship of the manor of Dartmouth (or Dertemouth as it was then called) through his clerk, Nicholas of Tewkesbury.  He made a grant to the Earldom of Cornwall of all rights and properties of the manor, including the waters of the River Dart. This continued to be a part of the Estates of the Duchy of Cornwall and later included the whole of the Estuary up to the high water mark. Incidentally, around this time, a certain Customs Officer named Geoffrey Chaucer visited the Town.

A Water Bailiff was appointed by the Duke of Cornwall to collect all port dues, with that appointment usually being for life. The Bailiff regularly held court to deal with any encroachments on the water rights. With one or two exceptions the Bailiffs were strangers and the Town Corporation tried to secure the office for themselves. They succeeded in 1508 and with a few short breaks were able to retain the Bailiwick by successive leases until 1860.

The records of the Bailiwick Court were kept separate from those of the Mayor’s Court until finally in 1866 the accounts were handed over to the Duchy. They contained many details of the shipping of the Port. Dues were retained by the Corporation subject to the payment of an annual charge to the Duchy and a substantial ‘fine’ on each change of Royal ownership. The freedom from outside interference with the management of the port was considered most valuable.

The Bailiwick granted by the Duchy of Cornwall covered not only the waters of the Dart Estuary, but the whole coast round to Salcombe harbour and Bigbury Bay to the West and Torbay to the East. Brixham and Torquay became major fishing ports and the use of their quays added considerably to the revenues. By 1820 the Collectors were putting over £200 a year into the coffers of the Corporation.

Back in 1721, as a symbol of authority the Corporation received from the Duke (later George II) a magnificent Silver Oar which was held with pride but reluctantly surrendered when the Duchy finally took over the Bailiwick in 1866. In 1911, Edward, Prince of Wales and later Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor, celebrated his Passing Out from Britannia Royal Naval College by returning the custody of the Silver Oar to the Council, which they had for so long previously treasured.