The new Boat Club was properly started in October 1875, when the first Captain (A. F. Thornhill) was elected - and the new colours (crimson and white) of the College made their appearance on the River in the following term when the first Torpid was put on.

The debut gave some promise but was not very successful, as having to change a man in the middle of the races, the boat lost the two places it had gained.

What has been done in the past is certainly due in a great measure to the hearty and practical interest which has been taken in the welfare of the College and its Boat Club.

We shall hope to see this interest and enthusiasm increase with the success it has created, and if it does we are satisfied that the College will maintain a high position in the University.One consequence of being Head of the River in 1881 was that Hertford burnt its boats.

It was sent by Mr Madden, sub-librarian: Bodleian Library 26 May 1881 Dear Mr Jackson, Last night at about 10:45 I saw out of my window a blaze of light near the Bodleian, which at once reminded me of Hertford being head of the river and of concomitant festivities, so I went and saw that not only were rockets, bombs, and every form of firework being let off in all directions (chiefly upward) in the front quad of Hertford, but also a huge bonfire was blazing just within the great gates of the College, fed with tables and chairs by a mad set of undergraduates who were chiefly occupied in dancing insanely round it.

[5] The years since the construction of the boat house have been highly successful with both the men's and women's sides achieving numerous sets of blades (bumping up on every day of Torpids or Summer Eights).

[7] On Monday 4 July 2005, the Longbridges Boathouse that accommodates Hertford and several other college boat clubs was damaged by fire.

[8] The fire wiped out the entire fleet of eights, including the newly acquired Women's Filippi; however, the small boats, stored in a different bay, were undamaged.

[9] Above the boat bays is a large club room overlooking the Isis, used for land training and social events.

This is followed by the annual Society boat race, pitting past rowers against the current 1st VIII's, and then a formal dinner in Hall.