"There has been rowing in Manchester and Salford since 1823, with more than 15 clubs operating during the 1860s. Agecroft R.C. was formed by the gradual merging of these River Irwell-based clubs. Agecroft R.C. was established in Oct 1861 by Ishmael Lythgoe with its first boat house in the grounds of Agecroft Hall at its original location before it was sold and rebuilt by the James River in Virginia, USA. The club soon moved to the River Irwell further upstream at Littleton Road and were based there for over a hundred years. However, in early 2000s, the river became un-rowable and the site of the boathouse was part of the new flood plain - this forced a move to a new boathouse at Salford Quays. This new home triggered a huge growth in club size and successes throughout the UK." Wikipedia
A much more detailed account is offered by J Corbett in his book The River Irwell published in 1907. He was actively involved in the Agecroft Rowing Club and his account of the river and rowing make fascinating reading. KH
