At the start of Michaelmas, the Lincoln College Boat Club's (LCBC) Instagram received an unexpected message from a member of the public. They claimed to have a tankard from one of our crews dating back to 1853 and wished to return it - free of charge. Intrigued, I exchanged several messages with them and eventually arranged a date for the handover.

The tankard’s story is nothing short of remarkable. I met Sue, a member of Minerva Bath Rowing Club, who brought the tankard to me. However, it wasn’t Sue who found it but her friend Anna. Anna had discovered the tankard in a barn on Gotland, a Swedish island, where it was destined for sale at a flea market. Suspecting it might be of historical significance, Anna decided to keep it.

Fast forward to February this year, when Anna and Sue met for the first time while on holiday in Cape Town. During a conversation about rowing, the tankard came up, and Anna handed it over to Sue during a later meeting in Bath, so she could return it to its rightful owners.

Although we might never discover exactly how the tankard ended up on Gotland, Anna has put forward a theory that a sailor from Gotland - which has had an intensive shipping industry - bought it in an English port and brought it home.

Naturally, my curiosity about the crew listed on the tankard was sparked. I collaborated with the College Archivist and conducted my own research.

Here's what we know about the crew from 1853, listed as engraved on the tankard:

• Stroke: Bowyer Edward Shaw (Commoner)
• 2: Frederick William Quilter (Commoner, 1851)
• 3: William Henry Marriott (Exhibitioner, 1851)
• Bow: William Marriner (Commoner, 1851)
• Cox: George Perry Haywood Paty (Commoner, 1851)

Among these names, one particularly stands out. Frederick William Quilter, later known as Rev. Dr. Quilter, met an extraordinary end at the age of 79—perishing in an accidental explosion during a science experiment at home. His story is documented in detail here.

To protect the tankard, which features a glass bottom, the College Archivist has generously offered to store it, as the boathouse environment could risk damage. If any alumni have further insights or stories about the crew members, please don't hesitate to reach out, although I have a feeling the 1800s is too long ago even for the oldest of our alumni!

This tankard’s journey from a Swedish barn to LCBC is a testament to the unexpected ways history can connect us.

Thank you to Charlotte Paylor (2021), a current fourth year MChem student, for writing this blog, and to Sue and Anna for sharing their story with us.