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The boater was at first they were seen as a kind of hat for boaren. And in England this included the Royal Navy was beginning to develop uniforms for ratings (enlisted men) (mid-19th century). This happened at aboutv the same timw that photography was invented. Given the use by Venitian gondoliers, it seems to have occured to the Royal Navy admirals that it would be a uniform headwear for ratings. It was, however, totally unsuitable as naval uniform head wear. The substantial brim would catch he wind and go flying off at sea. It was one thing for gondoliers to wear them while they pole the way arond the sheltered canals of Venice. The stormy seas that the Royal Navy operared in were very different. It might be used as a dress uniform ashore, but as a working uniform natter at sea is a different matter. It appears that French boatmen were the first to adopt boaters and were a more important influence. Pratical or not, the boater wa worn by Royal Nvy raings through most of the 20th century. The boater also began to be seen as colorful school head wear. Also at mid-century we begin to see them at the prestigious public (elite-boarding) schools. We notice boaters being worm in the 'The Boat Race', an annual set of rowing races between the Cambridge University Boat Club and the Oxford University Boat Club. It is conducted on the River Thames in London. It is known as the University Boat Race and the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
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