History of Title
We are one of the oldest swimming clubs in the United Kingdom, having been established in 1863. The full and correct title of the club is the Devonport Royal Swimming Association and Humane Society.
Humane Society
The Humane Society part of the title dates from when members of the club were responsible for retrieving bodies from the Hamoaze and Plymouth Sound. Port of Plymouth Swimming Association was responsible for the Plym, the Barbican area and around to Western Kings. Devonport was responsible from Western Kings up to Saltash. Today, this function is carried out by the Ministry of Defence Police river patrols.
Royal Title
The club was given its "Royal" title by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Albert, the second son of Queen Victoria. He was a career naval officer and served all around the world, eventually becoming Admiral of the Fleet.
His Royal Highness became a patron of the Association after visiting the committee boat when the Association's annual matches were being held off Mount Wise in 1892.
He married Maria Alexandrovna, only daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. They had 6 children, some of whom swam with the club when he was Commander-in-Chief at Devonport Naval Base from 1890 to 1893.
Only "Royal" Swimming Club
In fact, we are the only swimming club that is entitled to call itself "Royal". The above article was printed in 1939 and explains the origin of our Royal title.
We have had many great servants
One of whom was the late Brian Ferrand who coached our youngsters over a period of almost 40 years, was a member of the club for 64 years and was also a former President of the British Long Distance Swimming Association. Not long before we lost Brian, he shared his knowledge of the club's history in the attached document and introduced us to some of the club's legends. This is simply a must-read for all friends of DRSA.
Click here to read Brian's DRSA Reminiscences 1951-2014.
Earliest colour photo of DRSA?
We think this photo from 1967 of our men's water polo team with the Devon County Senior Knock-out Cup is the earliest colour photo of DRSA. We would love to be proven wrong. If you have any old DRSA images, black or white, please get in touch.
Another early colour photo is this one of our float taken at the Devonport Carnival in 1971. Can you spot our current life member Richard Thynne?
