A Thames Houseboat at Henley Regatta, Circa 1902
Henley Houseboats, a special relationship with superfluous dollars.
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, 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).
Early Morning Frolics, 1922 press photo
Pyjama clad houseboat campers enjoying an early morning frolic in a meadow by the Thames.