Houseboats at Henley Regatta
The Edwardian Houseboats of Henley and Wargrave had a special relationship with superfluous dollars.
Skiffs were an important part of Henley Regatta, to see and be seen
Henley Regatta was an excellent opportunity to help Americans dispose of their superfluous dollars entertaining British nobility. The Edwardian surge in houseboat numbers at Henley was aided by the introduction of steam turbines to transatlantic liners that reduced crossing times to just a few days.
A good houseboat would cost £150 (£15,000 todays equivalent) a week to rent, mooring position was allotted by subscription to the Regatta Fund, there was no limit to a subscriber’s liberality and good place could cost £20 (£2,000) for the week. A good houseboat could be built and furnished for £600 (£60,000).
Houseboat Waterwitch modeled as a biscuit tin, litho packaging C1926
A Jacobs Biscuit tin in the form of a houseboat, its aspirational lifestyle graphics depicting the houseboat “Waterwitch”. This litho graphic is from 1926 and all about selling added value, when the biscuits had been eaten it became a floating toy for the bath tub.
Decamping to your houseboat was an essential part of the season during Henley week for the Great and Good. Butler, maids, footmen even the children's nurse were all part of the required entourage.
Tugging a houseboat through Boulters Lock with a steam launch. Circa 1906
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