[3] At the Thames Regatta in July 1847 Messenger won the apprentice's coat and silver badge presented by Evan Morris.

On 23 August 1853 Messenger rowed against James Candish, who was the Tyne Champion, on the Thames river Putney to Mortlake course (the Championship Course) for a £100 a side.

Messenger defeated Candish with great ease by about a boat length and he covered the distance in 24 minutes 26 seconds after having been stopped twice on the course.

Cole took the early lead and retained it to Crab Tree at which point Messenger began to gradually overhaul him.

Messenger rowed in a boat of his own construction and was piloted by Thomas MacKinney who had in 1851 been contender for the title, losing to Robert Coombes.

Just after the start Kelley was perceptibly in front but after a dozen or so strokes Messenger looked like he was recovering the lost ground.

A grandson, Herbert Henry, known as Dally Messenger, was a good cricketer, sailor, and a champion canoeist, but became best known as a rugby league footballer.