Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846 - 1861), Saturday 29 January 1848, page 2


BRISBANE REGATTA,

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE COLONY.

THESE sports came off according to advertisement on Wednesday last, the 26th

instant. The extreme heat of the weather

during the early part of the day, no doubt deprived many persons of the sight; but even as it was, we saw a very large assemblage of spectators, who seemed determined for once to make holiday, and enjoy a day's amusement. Most of the stores were closed, and we were agreeably surprised at the number of gay boats— "their streamers waving in the wind" — that danced upon the surface of our beautiful river. Through the kindness of Capt. Norris, the fine schooner Ebenezer was anchored in the stream, and used as the flag ship. Dr. Cannan acted as Trea surer, and Captain Freeman as Umpire of the Regatta. As usual, some delay occurred in starting for the first race, which although advertised for half-past ten, did not take place until half-past eleven o'clock, when the following was the result.

FIRST RACE.

For whale-boats pulling five oars. From

the flag ship to Kangaroo Point, thence back to Walmsley's Point, and return to Flag Ship. Prize £8 with entrances £1 each added. Entrance returned to

the second boat.

Lucy Long......J. Petrie ...... White........1 Dundee Lass.......Binstead...... Blue..... .2 Fly............... White...........Union Jack,

gave up.

At starting Dundee Lass took the lead, and maintained it for a short distance, but the Scotch lassie was soon overhauled

by Lucy Long, who, in the language of the exquisite ballad, "stuck to her music," and came in an easy winner. Messrs. John and Walter Petrie, in the winning boat, maintained their well-earned reputation as oarsmen throughout this long race, and were ably seconded by the

remainder of the crew.

SECOND RACE.

For four-oared gigs, pulled by Amateurs.

Prize £4. Entrance 10s. each—added. Flying Fish.. Cannan.. Red white and red....1 Pirate.............disqualified. The Flying Fish, manned by squatters, came to the scratch, but although her opponent, the Pirate, was also "to the fore," no crew could be found for her but blacks, who, however, seemed determined to try the mettle of the jackeroos. The flying fishes rowed over their course in dignified composure, proving their superiority by permitting the natives to shew them the way round. Flying Fish was declared the winner, and her gallant crew reposed upon their laurels.

THIRD RACE.

For two-oared, boats. First prize, £3 ;

second ditto, £1 10s. Entrance 7s.6d.

—added.

Kipper.......—..... Union Jack..........1 Frederic......Copper.....Blue and white...... 2 Tow-row.... Jones......Red........3

This race was well contested between

Kipper and Frederic, the former winning

with difficulty. Two other boats, the Arrow and Petrel started, but neither had a chance.

FOURTH RACE.

For amateur scullers Prize £2 10s. Entrance fee — added

For this race the boats were entered, viz.:—

Spring-heel'd Jack....Connolly...Red with white

border.. 1 Dart........Cannan... Red Cross

non est inventus.

The Dart being invisible at the starting place, the spring-heel'd gentlemen walked

over the course, but having rounded the

boundary boat on the wrong side, the owner tried it again with better success, and was adjudged the prize.

FIFTH RACE

For four-oared boats. Prize £4. Entrance

10s.—added.

Pirate....Binstead .. Scull and cross bones... 1

Swiftsure..... Cannan....Red Cross ........2 This was an excellent race. The first

boat was rounded almost simultaneously by the rival competitors; and , although

the Pirate was believed to be the fastest

boat, great hopes were entertained of the Swiftsure, form the known skill of her steersman (Captain Norris). Passing the flag ship on their upward course the boats were nearly abreast, but on rounding the upper boat it became evident that the Pirate had the lead, which she maintained to the flag ship, winning by only a few lengths. Both crews pulled their hardest, and the manner in which Capt. Norris spun his boat round the boundaries

was admirable.

SIXTH RACE.

For two-oared boats, pulled by amateurs. Prize £3. Entrance 7s. 6d:-added. " Eclipse..... Bigge.....Red and white....... 1

Kipper.......Cannan.. Red and white border.2 Dart..........Hawkins..,Red Cross....gave up. This was a very good race between the two first boats. The Kipper lost some way by breaking a rowlock, but this deficiency was almost momentarily supplied by the steersman, and the Eclipse might have been herself eclipsed but that one of the Kipper's pullers, being unaccustomed to the short rapid stroke required in such boats, became fagged, and changed places with the steersman. The boat being dis qualified by this movement, it was evident that she did not afterwards do her best to overhaul her antagonist, who came in a good first. The Dart soon "jibbed." It appeared to us that one of her pullers was at a loss where to stow his legs.

SEVENTH RACE.

For scullers. Prize £2 10s. Entrance

5s, -added.

Spring-heel'd Jack..Gulpin (aborigine).....1 Moon-beam......Wallaby Joe (aborigine)..no where.

The Moon-beam was invisible as well

as impalpable, and Mr. "Wallaby Joe" had probably been absorbed in its influence. He of the spring-heels, having no substantial antagonist, pulled the race against his own shadow, and was pronounced victorious.

EIGHTH RACE.

For four-oared boats, manned by aboriginal

natives. First prize £2 10s.; second ditto £1 - to be expended in clothing.

Entrance free.

Pirate....Aborigines..Scull and cross bones..1 Swiftsure....Aborigines....Red Cross.......2 This was the best race of the day. The so-called Pirate is the boat which was

given to the blacks of Amity Point for their exertions in rescuing the survivors of the unfortunate Sovereign steamer, and her sable crew exhibited skill and emulation in the race. The Swiftsure, though not nearly so fast a boat, pressed her antagonist so hard that we are inclined to believe she had the best crew. Bets were even until both had rounded the upper boundary boat, when the black flag fluttered foremost in the race. On nearing the Ebenezer the Swiftsure made a bold push, but the piratical hero came in first, by little more than his own length. Great praise is due to the Committee for arranging this match, as a means of convincing the blacks that, if we punish criminality, we can also reward merit ; and we trust that the example will be followed in all future Regatta's on this river. The spectators expressed their pleasure at the result of the race by loudly cheering both boats, to the evident delight of the natives. The second prize was subscribed by Messrs. Hawkins, Archer, and Tucker, being the amount of bets won by them on this race.

NINTH RACE.

For a dingy and a four-oared gig. The

bowman of the gig to catch the man in the dingy, in twelve minutes after starting. Prize £3. Entrance free.

Much amusement was anticipated from this race, but blessed are they that expect nothing. The bark of the fugitive ap proximated almost as nearly to the degree of a ships jolly-boat as to that of a dingy, and was far too unwieldy to show much sport. After a vain attempt to dodge the gig (Swiftsure) round the flag ship; the dingy was overtaken and its tenant oblidged to leap overboard. The gig's bowman followed him, but was compelled to return to his boat which soon overtook

the victim who was making boldly for the shore. The bowman now pounced upon him and thus finished the race in less than five minutes. It was contended by some persons that the capture was illegal, as the bowman should not be permitted to return to the gig after having taken to the

water. This certainly appears reasionable, as a swimmer could have but a slight chance of escaping a four oared gig; however, as the gun was fired when the runaway was secured, we presume that the Umpire considered the race to be fairly won. This kind of sport might have been dangerous a short time ago, but the fresh now in the river secures us against the intrusion of our late salt-water visitants

the sharks.

This concluded the day's sports. We must, however, notice a private race, got up, during the intervals of the regular matches, by some of the seamen now in port. Five scullers started from the flag

ship to round the upper boat off Walms

ley's Point, and return to the starting place. The funds were subscribed on board the flag ship. Two boats fouled each other at starting; the remaining three made way, one of them, however, wandered entirely out of his course.

After some delay one of the fouled boats (pulled by the mate of the Ebenezer). escaped from her thraldom, and steamed ahead; the other gave up at once. The mate now made play, and regained much of his lost ground, but eventually the two first boats came in at a slashing pace, about fifty yards asunder, and the mate about the same distance astern. The gun, however; was not fired until the arrival of the latter, who was declared the winner, in consequence of the other boats having rounded the boundary on the wrong side. This decision occasioned some squabbling, but the Umpire was firm.

There was much festivity on board the Ebenezer. One gentleman became so

much exhilarated that he resolved to swim to the shore in puris naturalibus; but, as he was supposed to be unconscious of his actions, his friends very kindly took him under their protection for his own safety. We cannot conclude, without expressing our regret that so many prizes should have been won without a contest. We attribute this circumstance to the delay which occurred in the final arrangements of the Committee, from which cause the prizes to be run for were not decided upon until Monday evening last. We trust that next year greater publicity will be given to the resolutions of the Committee, in order to give full satisfaction to the subscribers. On the whole, how ever, the day's sports went off very well, and we should be sorry to censure where there was so much to praise.