Cox box

A cox box is an electronic device used in competitive rowing that combines a digital stroke rate monitor and elapsed time readout with a voice amplifier. Although the term "cox box" is often used as a generic descriptor of this type of device, "Cox-Box", "CoxBox" and "Cox Box" are registered trademarks of Nielsen Kellerman, one of the several companies that manufacture this type of unit. Other brand names include CoxVox, CoxOrb, MiniAmp, CoxAmpPro, Coxmate SRT+, Coxmate SX. All deliver amplification of the coxswain's voice using a microphone and series of wired loudspeakers.

Use

Mainly used in Eights and Fours the read outs are used by the coxswain to monitor the performance of the crew and manage the race. This is of particular importance in Head of the River (time trial) races where the crews race line astern and so performance of other crews cannot be easily gauged. It is also critical to assisting the coxswain in sticking to the race plan, which usually involves strategic changes of rating.

Cox and Box

Cox and Box; or, The Long-Lost Brothers, is a one-act comic opera with a libretto by F. C. Burnand and music by Arthur Sullivan, based on the 1847 farce Box and Cox by John Maddison Morton. It was Sullivan's first successful comic opera. The story concerns a landlord who lets a room to two lodgers, one who works at night and one who works during the day. When one of them has the day off, they meet each other in the room and tempers flare. Sullivan wrote this piece five years before his first opera with W. S. Gilbert, Thespis.

The piece premiered in 1866 and was seen a few times at charity benefits in 1867. Once given a professional production in 1869, it became popular, running for 264 performances and enjoying many revivals and further charity performances. During the 20th century, it was frequently played by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in an abridged version, as a curtain raiser for the shorter Gilbert and Sullivan operas. It has been played by numerous professional and amateur companies throughout the world and continues to be frequently produced.