South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Friday 2 January 1874, page 5


PORT ADELAIDE REGATTA.

January 1, 1874.

Patrons, His Excellency Anthony Musgrave, Esq., C.M.G., Hon. Thos. Elder, M.L.C.; Pre- sident, Mr. H. K. Hughes, M.P.; Vice- Presi-dent, Mr. J. J. Duncan, M.P.; Judges,

Captains J. W. Smith and Begg; Starters, Messrs. Quin and Taylor; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. M. Turton; Hon. Sec, Mr. G. R. Selth; Com- mittee, Captain Ferguson, Captain Simpson, Captain Bickers, and Mr. J. Formby. Adelaide, since the Torrens has disappointed all her expectations, has had to look to the Port to keep her nautical and aquatic spirit, and the Port has stood by her well, leaving no stone un-turned to organize water contests when there has appeared to be a fitting time. Leaving the heat out of the question, judges of such matters we think would have pronounced New Year's Day just such a convenient season as we have alluded to for divers and sundry reasons. First of all, there were few attractions provided elsewhere. Those who prefer the country and a picnic, and communion with lands-men under the small amount of shade afforded by Australian trees, to a river, and trials of skill upon its waters, and the sight of bunting, and rigging, and forests of masts, and the sound of Jack's honest voice mingling with those of his country cousins, went to Gawler in considerable numbers. The sporting people filled a train for the Burra to see the races pro-vided there. A large number proceeded to the Semaphore to get a breath of the sea air, which could not have been very pleasant or refreshing with the temperature so high as it was; but otherwise the Port was the centre of attraction for those who could come to it by road or rail from all parts. The time of year being a busy and prosperous one is another good reason for the regatta taking place now, for the wheat harvest has already brought in many vessels of large tonnage that lie on both sides of the river, giving a business appearance to the scene, and doubtless contributing largely in boats' crews and donations towards the suc-cessful carrying out of the proceedings. People who can take a holiday often doubt-less thought the Port would have been deserted owing to the heat of the weather, but it was just as far from being in that condition as it has perhaps ever been. Visitors began to arrive at an early hour, and continued, both in vehicles of their own and by the railways, to arrive in real holiday crowds, till early in the afternoon, when the stream of immigration became less rapid, and turned homewards. There must have been present, as far as we could ascertain from the railway traffic and our own computation, from ten to twelve thousand. The wharfs from the top of the Prince's to the lower end of Levi's were lined with sight-seers — not in dense crowds, but in goodly numbers, who could conveniently move about. The ships lying on both sides of the river had each a large number of visitors on board, and on many of them the captains played the jolly host at luncheon-hour to considerable numbers of visitors, so that the contests were watched with very comfortable attendant circumstances. Steamers plied up and down the river — prin-cipally the Eleanor — crowded with passengers, who amused themselves in real holiday fashion, and rowing boats were incon-veniently numerous in the stream, for it was difficult during some of the races to detect the match-boats from the varied craft around them. The hotels were crowded all day, and did a thriving business, the only complaint landlords had to make being the want of servants, all the 'slaves' of the kitchen and parlour having gone on pleasure bent. As far as we could see the hotelkeepers vied with each other for the honour of the Port, and instead of extortion, which is frequently to be found in company with crowds, refreshments of a superior kind were supplied at very moderate charges. Music of many kinds and degrees of excellence was to be found at every turn, from the strains of the hand-organs and the notes of the cheap concertina to the brassy operatic music of the German bands. Wherever a chance offered thirsty-looking musicians were bailed up in a corner puffing forth well-known quadrille music, while young men, with hats set upon 'three hairs,' and young ladies looking exceedingly warm, engaged in what is now denominated 'the light fantastic toe,' in about as much space as would have seated an ordinary washingtub before Common Sense machines were invented. Indeed, the assiduity with which dancing was kept up by its followers was only equalled by the heat of the weather and the unquenchable thirst of the crowd; and in refer- ence to the latter subject, we are sorry to say that we saw many slightly off the perpen-dicular long before the sun had 'gone over the yard-arm.' But we suppose such sights must be seen on a hot holiday. One thing the authorities are to be congratulated on— the total absence of dust. Early in the morning the streets were well watered, and as there was no high wind during the day to raise what was then laid walking about was not attended with incon-venience. The principal buildings made a large display of bunting, and the shipping from one end of the Port to another was dressed out, adding very greatly to the display. The rush upon the trains during the morning at the Ade-laide terminus was not altogether provided for, intending passengers in large numbers being left upon the platform with tickets in hand at the departure of the trains. Mr. Mais was, how-ever, present, and seemed to be doing his best to provide for the unusual call upon his rolling-stock caused by the traffic to the Burra and Gawler, as well as to the Port. His Excellency the Governor and party left Adelaide by the half-past 11 train, reaching the Port at 12. His Excellency went on board the steam-launch Dione, and plied about for some time among the shipping, staying for lunch on board the Eurydice. The Monaltrie, though not moored in the centre of the stream, as some supposed, was placed at the disposal of the management of the regatta by the captain, who showed very great kindness and consideration for those he had during the day under his care, and similar hospitality was dispensed by many other masters. The Committee, we believe, have worked hard to make the regatta a success. If, then, several irregularities crept into their arrangements, it must be hoped that experience will enable them to correct them on another occasion. Precisely at 55 minutes past 8 the gun was fired to give warning of the first event starting at 9, and the Concordia Band on board the flagship struck up ' God Save the Queen' by way of giving a loyal commencement to the proceedings of the day. The first event, however, was not the principal sailing match of the day, as fixed by the programme published in the newspaper at almost the last moment. To suit the conveni-ence of the competitors it was put off till noon, and the second-class sailing match headed the programme. Some of the boats engaged in this did not get back in time for the principal sailing contest, so that the Edith and the Zephyr proceeded out without any com-pany. There was much less plain sail-ing than at Glenelg, and the course, owing to the confinement of the river, was of course not nearly so straight. The Zephyr, which is easily handled in comparison with the larger yacht, therefore had the best of it. Before the mouth of the river was reached she was far ahead of her opponent, and had gone round the buoy and was a good way upon the run homeward before the Edith had cleared the river. There must have been a distance of three miles between them when the Zephyr shot past the buoy opposite the flagship. In the second-class sailing match the boats of the Monaltrie and Alert were scratched, and the Banshee, after a good race, won. In the third - class sailing match the winner was the White Squall. In the ships' lifeboat race the boat of the Kirkham won easily, but a protest was entered against her on the ground that she was not a lifeboat. The representative of the Asterope did not compete in that match owing to some mistake which had been made. The Champion Race was won by the same crew— Playfair's— who won the event last year. They exhibited the best pulling of the

day. The duck hunts proved to be somewhat amusing, but at the same time the contest was anything but a close one. ' The duck,' instead of rowing in a small heavy string-test boat, as is usual, was allowed to select a scullers's out-rigger, in which he was able to play with the boats' crews that volunteered to catch him till he won his money. The tub race, in which two boys in tubs, with ordinary navvies' shovels, competed, was one that drew forth a large amount of laughter, and the Japanese race and canoeing were attractive. The following is the list of events: — Second-Class Sailing Race. — Open to all class of boats from 3 tons to 8. Course from Queen's Wharf round outer buoy in Light's Passage and back to starting point. Time allowed for tonnage as per Yacht Club Rules. Entrance, 20s. First prize, £15; second, £5. Entries. Tons. Owner. Sailed by. Banshee 4 H. D. O'Halloran Owner Vivid 4 W.Russell Owner Loop Garou 4 J. Walker Owner Lothair 5 D. Brown Owner The Monaltrie and Alert were also entered for this race, but did not come to the scratch. Precisely at the advertised time the gun fired for the start, and the wind having by this time veered to the westward, although very light the yachts were soon under way, the Banshee taking the lead. The Vivid was next in order, Loup Garou with Lothair bringing up the rear. In this order they slowly sailed away and presented a very pretty appearance, as every stretch of fore-and-aft canvas (square sails not being allowed) was spread to catch the light but favourable wind. The Banshee, in particular, looked every inch a yacht, and was the favourite for the event Vivid also shaped well. The Banshee kept the lead as far as Humley Reach, where she was becalmed for a short time. The Vivid coming up with the wind here overtook her, and passed Snapper Point four minutes ahead. As the craft hauled on a wind, however, the Banshee again overhauled her competitor, and rounded the buoy about five minutes before the Vivid. The Loup Garou followed at a respectful distance, but the Lothair gave up and commenced the return before reaching the buoy. In beating up the Banshee continued to gain, and as the Champion Race was starting from the North Arm she came came up in splendid style, with the Vivid quarter of a mile behind. She continued to gain ground all the rest of the distance, and passed the flagship at 1.1, the Vivid being second at 1.12. Third class Sailing Race. — Open to all class of boats up to three tons. Course from Queen's Wharf round buoy to be moored off North Arm and back to starting point Time allowed for tonnage as per Yacht Club Rules. Entrance, 10s. 6d. First prize, £7 7s. ; second, £3 3s. For this event there were five entries as follows: — Express, sailed by Jacobsen. Isabella, sailed by Christie. Nautilus, sailed by B. Taylor. White Squall, sailed by Hubert. This was a pretty race, and as the wind had somewhat increased the little craft were quickly running before it. The Squall was round like a top, and had a lead of fully 50 yards before the others had their sails filled. This advantage she maintained throughout, and won easily. Isabella second, Express third. Four-Oared Gigs. — Open to all comers out-rigged and string test (racing boats excepted). Same course as No. 6. Entrance 10s. First prize, £7 7s.; second, £3 3s. Entries— Zoe, G. Bampton (stroke), T. Russell, W. Jones, H. Collins, Nicholson (coxswain); Burton Stather, B. Lowen (stroke), J. McDonald, W. Kerwin, R. Lowen, J. Mitchelmore (coxswain); Thorkild, C. Jacobsen (stroke), C. Wolfgram, A. Forbes, P. Lambert, J. Buck (coxswain); Omeo, C. Waggener (stroke), T. Anderson, R. Assel, H. Webber, W. Lyall (coxswain); Monaltrie, H. McInnis (stroke), J. McInnis, A. McInnis, C. Buller, C. McInnis (coxswain). The Omeo with- drew after coming to the starting place, the crew affirming that they were under the im-pression the boats were to be ships' gigs manned by other crews. The other four had a good start, the Z0e being first to the front. Thorkild fell astern quickly, and Burton Stather having challenged Zoe for the lead, overhauled and passed her, the Monaltrie being third. This position was maintained throughout, the dis-tances between the respective boats increasing all the time. Canoe Race. — Course from Queen's Wharf round two buoys moored off Coalshed and back to starting point Entrance, 5s. First prize, £2 2s., second, £1 1s. Entries — M. Doswall, Moulden, and Bucknall entered for another. In this race Doswell had it all his own way, taking the lead immediately, and keeping it to the finish; Moulden second, the other nowhere. Youths' Pair-Oared Race.— For youths under 16 years, in boats of not more than 17 feet in length. Same course as No. 5. Entrance, 5s. First prize, £3 3s.; second, £1 1s. Entries— Starlight, Chas. Ring and H. Fraser; Lily, W. Cloustin and W. Pyne; Blue Bell, J. Willis and H. Swiggs; Undine, J. West and A. West The lads shaped well, but Blue Bell speedily showed to the front, and kept the position. Starlight and Lilly struggled for the second place, the former gaining. Blue Bell came in winner by a long distance, but protests were entered against her on the ground that the youths pulling her were over 16 years of age. Ships Gigs. — For ships' four-oared boats, manned by ship's company. Course from Queen's Wharf round two buoys moored off Red Buoy Spit and back to starting point. En-trance, 10s. 6d. First prize, £7 7s.; second, £3 3s. Entries— Lammermuir, Eurydice, Cor-nuvia, Hannah Nicholson. This was a well-contested race, the boats having a good start and keeping well together for some distance. The Cornuvia, however, managed to get the lead, with Eurydice second. When below Levi's Wharf Lam-mermuir gained the second position. In passing the buoys off the Coalshed the Hannah Nicholson, which was astern, rounded them, and made for the return instead of going on with the others to the lower buoys. Captain Quin, who was close by in the Margaret, called their attention to the error, but the crew affirmed that they had been told on the previous day that these were the buoys they were to go round. They came in first, but were disqualified. The Cornuvia, Lammermuir, and Eurydice kept in the same order to the end, the first-named winning by a few lengths, with Lammermuir second. Champion Race.— Open to all four-oared boats. Coarse about three miles. To start from below the North Arm and finish at Queen's Wharf. Entrance, 21s. Prize, £20. Entries.— Prince Alfred - Stroke, J. Playfair; No. 1, R. Playfair; No. 2, H. Dalziel; No. 3, G. Playfair; coxswain, R. Tobin. Matilda Hamley — Stroke, F. Dewar; 1, Sidoli; 2, A. Sidoli; 3, T. Matson; coxswain, Thomson. Nautilus— Stroke, G. Bampton; 1, T. Russell; 2, W. Jones; 3, H. Collins; coxswain, T. Nicholson. This was decidedly the most interesting and best-contested race of the meeting, as far as regards the first two; but the Nautilus not being in repair, her crew pulled the Zoe for the sake of making the race. The steamer Eleanor was at the North Arm to enable her passengers to witness the start, and followed the boats up the river, the pace, however, at which the boats were propelled being such as to leave her at a considerable distance astern. There was a good start, the two crews keeping side by side for some distance. The Prince Alfred crew have been the winners on former occasions, and were the favourites in the event. They are a strong lot of young men, and pull an exceedingly good stroke. Their antagonists were also powerful young fellows, but had not had the experience of the others, although they pulled remarkably well. The start took place at 12.24-30, the Prince's crew pulling 42 strokes per minute, and the Matilda's 40. They kept so close that until rounding Humbug Point it was difficult for those on board the steamer to see that the Prince Alfred had the lead. The pace for a time was lessened, but as they drew near the Port it increased to the former standard. The distance between the boats was, however, increasing all the while, and the Prince Alfred won the race at 12.45-29, the distance being pulled in 20 min. 59 sec, the Matilda coming up one minute later. The result was hailed with immense cheering. Whilst this was going on the start took place for the First-Class Sailing Race. Open to all class of sailing boats from 8 tons and upwards.

Time allowed for tonnage as per Yacht Club Rules. Course from Queen's Wharf round Bell Buoy and back. Entrance, 30s. First prise, £25; second, £10. Entries— W. H. Bundey's Zephyr, Hon. T. Elder's Edith; H. D. O'Halloran and Co.'s Banshee, W. Russell's Vivid. Only the Zephyr and Edith started, the Banshee and Vivid not having completed the second-class race; but we understand that a protest was entered against the two latter on the ground that they were under eight tons. The Zephyr led the way in running down, and gained distance all the way, rounding the Bell Buoy a considerable time before the Edith, and concluding the race at 4.48, at which time the latter could be seen about five miles down the river. The Zephyr looked par-ticularly handsome as she beat up, and her spirited owner was heartily cheered as he came in the winner. Mr. O'Halloran entered a pro-test against the Edith receiving second prize, on the ground that she was not sailed under fore-and-aft canvas only. The next event was a Duck Hunt— The duck to be chased by a four-oared boat of not less than 18 feet on the keel. The duck allowed five minutes' start, and if not caught in 20 minutes to claim prize. Prize, £3 3s. Duck, T. Matson. This was neither here nor there, the duck being in a long outrigged boat, against which his pursuers stood not a shadow of a chance in straight running, so after chasing him up and down the river until the time expired the prize was awarded to the duck. Pair-Oar Race.— Open to all boats. Same course as No. 4. Entrance, 7s. 6d. First prize, . £5 5s.; second, £2 2s. Entries— Undaunted — W. Bayly and T. A. Brock; Falcon— C. Gar-diner and E. Formby; Blue Bell— W. Swiggs and G. Walker; Matilda Hamley— F. Dewar and T. Matson. The Matilda Hamley did not put in an appearance. Undaunted led off, but was quickly challenged by Blue Bell, and over-hauled, the latter headreaching at every stroke and winning easily; Undaunted second. The next event was the Japanese canoe race, same course as canoe race. First prize, £3 3s.; second, £1 1s. This can scarcely be called a race, but created considerable amusement from the manner in which the crew propelled their singular-looking craft. One of them, a plain canoe, with two paddles, was by far the fleetest in smooth water; but the other being furnished with long bamboo outrigger on either side was more adapted for rough water, it being almost a matter of impos-sibility to capsize it. At the conclusion the winning canoe was turned over, and her crew showed the ease with which it could be righted. Four-oared Race. — Open to all class of in-rigged boats. Course about 3 miles. To start below North Arm and finish at Queen's Wharf. Entrance, 10s. 6d. Prize,£10. Entries : Falcon— T. A. Brock, W. Bayly, C. Gardiner; Nautilus — F. Dewar, T. Matson, B. Wills, E. Formby; St George— A. Ebsworth (stroke), T. Linklater, H. Aldwell, R. Colley. This was no race, only the St George being at the starting-place in time. Her crew pulled over the course and claimed the prize, meeting her antagonists on the way. Ships' lifeboats.— May be pulled by any number of seamen. Same course as No. 4. Entrance, 21s. First prize, £10 10s.; second, £5 5s. Entries — St Vincent, Cornuvia, Eury dice, Asterope, Kirkham. The Kirkham quickly got ahead, the others being close together for some time. The Cornuvia, however, succeeded in getting second place after a tussle with the St. Vincent, and in this order they came to the winning-post. Protests were entered against the Kirkham's boat on the ground that she was not a lifeboat. It was also alleged that she did not pull the proper course. Four-Oared Race.— Open to all boats: Same course at No. 4. Entrance, 21s. First prize, £7 7s. ; second, £2 2s. Entries— Prince Alfred and Matilda Hamley with same crews as Champion Race, and St. George with same crew as four-oar race (inrigged boats). The Prince Alfred and Matilda Hamley came to the post, but after waiting for some time for the St. George, Prince Alfred rowed the course. Sub-sequently the St George and Matilda started together, the latter coming in first without any trouble, but the prize was claimed by the Prince Alfred. Tub and Shovel Race.— Course from Queen's Wharf to Levi's Wharf and back. Entrance, 2s. 6d. First Prize. £3 3s.; second, £1 1s. Entries — J. Harris and A. Swiggs. Two youngsters sculled their tubs over the course, to the amusement of the multitude, Swiggs being the winner. Sculls. — Open to all boats. Same course as No. 4. Entrance. 7s. 6d. First prize, £3 3s.; second, £2 2s. Entries— T. Matson, M. Doswell, G. Playfair, and F. Dewar. Only Matson and Doswell started, and the former won easily. 17. Duck Hunt — Same conditions as No. 9. Prize, £3 3s. Duck, T. Matson. In this event the duck had a short punt, and after a little dodging, being hard pressed, took to the water and was caught in a very short time. This concluded the programme. The programme was finished about 6, but the crowds of onlookers did not go home till long after that time. The hotel yards were fairly crowded with vehicles, showing that the railway was not the only means of conveyance used largely. In the evening rockets were sent upabout the wharf ; and from a hulk in the river Mr. Knight amused a large crowd by a display of fireworks. The night was not, however, sufficiently dark to show his productions to advantage.