The Isis facts for kids
The Isis is another name for the River Thames. This name is used for the part of the river that flows from its start in the Cotswolds hills. It continues to be called the Isis until it meets the River Thame at a place called Dorchester in Oxfordshire. The name "Isis" comes from an old name for the Thames, Tamesis. People in the Middle Ages wrongly thought Tamesis was a mix of "Thame" and "Isis". The Isis is famous for flowing right through the city of Oxford.
Rowing on the Isis River
The name "Isis" is very often used when people talk about rowing at the University of Oxford. Many rowing competitions, called regattas, happen on the Isis.
Major Rowing Competitions
- Eights Week: This is the most important rowing event for Oxford University crews. It takes place in the summer term, called Trinity term.
- Torpids: This competition happens in the early spring term, known as Hilary term.
- Christ Church Regatta: This race is for new rowers, called novices. It takes place in the autumn term, called Michaelmas term.
How Rowing Races Work
Because the Isis is not very wide in Oxford, rowing teams, called eights, cannot start side-by-side. Instead, they begin in a staggered line near Donnington Bridge. The goal is to "bump" the boat in front of them. This means catching up and touching or getting very close to it. The team in front tries to "row over," which means finishing the race without being bumped by the boat behind them.
Boathouses and Training
In the past, there were fancy wooden barges along the river bank at the end of Christ Church Meadow. These barges were used for rowing facilities and for watching races. Now, these barges are gone. Instead, there are modern boathouses a bit further down the river. They are located near where the Isis meets the River Cherwell. A path called Poplar Walk in Christ Church Meadow is used by rowers to get to and from the boathouses.
Oxford University Boat Club Crews
The name "Isis" is also used for the second men's rowing eight team of the Oxford University Boat Club. This team races against a crew called Goldie. Goldie is the second men's team from the Cambridge University Boat Club. Their race happens before the main annual Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames in London.
Angling and Fishing on the Isis
The Isis, like many parts of the Thames, has always been a popular spot for people who enjoy fishing. It is home to many freshwater fish, including trout and crayfish. The area around Oxford has several fishing clubs.
A Funny Fishing Story
W. F. Wallett, a famous clown from the Victorian era, shared a funny story about fishing in the Isis in his memories. He was fishing with Pablo Fanque, a well-known circus owner:
For a few days I amused myself with Pablo Fanque fishing in the Isis. Pablo was a very expert angler, and would usually catch as many fish as five or six of us within sight of him put together. This suggested a curious device. You must know that Pablo is a coloured man. One of the Oxonians, with more love for angling than skill, thought there must be something captivating in the complexion of Pablo. He resolved to try. One morning, going down to the river an hour or two earlier than usual, we were astonished to find the experimental philosophic angler with his face blacked after the most approved style of the Christy's Minstrels.
This story shows how popular fishing was on the Isis, even leading to funny attempts to catch more fish!
Other Uses of the Name "Isis"
The name "Isis" has been used for other things too, often because of its connection to the river.
Art and Architecture
On Henley Bridge, there are carved faces on the keystones (the central stones in an arch). These carvings are meant to represent the Isis and the Thame rivers. The Thame is shown as a man with a beard, while the Isis is shown as a woman. These carvings were made by Anne Seymour Damer.
Cars Named Isis
The name Morris Isis was first used by Morris Motors Limited. This car company was based in Oxford. They made a six-cylinder car with this name from 1929 to 1931. The name was used again for another six-cylinder car by the British Motor Corporation in the 1950s. The name "Isis" for cars stopped being used in 1958.
Prisons and Research Facilities
- HMP Isis is a prison for young offenders in England. It is located near the River Thames in South East London, next to other prisons like HMP Belmarsh.
- The ISIS neutron source is a science facility that uses neutrons for research. It was named after the Isis river.
Student Racing Cars
The racing team from Oxford Brookes University builds special cars for a competition called Formula Student. Each of their car chassis (the main frame of the car) has the name "ISIS" at the beginning of its number. For example, the car built in 2012 was called ISIS XII and nicknamed "Miss Iggy."
