(1796–1880)
Waterfront, Saltash
Born in Saltash, Ann married a waterman – a job entailing carrying people and/or cargo across the River Tamar. Together they had 14 children, but when her husband died, Ann took on the waterman role. She was described as tall, strong and very good at rowing which led to her joining public regattas and races.
Her rowing success spread nationwide and it is believed that in 1833 Ann and her crew beat the ten best male crews in France leading to the title, ‘The Champion Rower of the World’. Ann continued to competitively row past the age of 60. She was also known to row out to warships in the Tamar and joke with the crews.
The fibreglass statue was unveiled in 2013 in Saltash in the main shopping street and relocated to the waterfront in 2018, presumably as there’s less tomfoolery from the public on a Sunday morning riverside stroll than a spicy Saturday night in Saltash centre. But I’m only guessing. Still, I like to think Ann would have fended off any vandals.
Also, did I mention she had 14 children?
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