In 1855, there was a Challenge Race held between a crew of fishermen from Quidi Vidi and a crew of men from St.John's on July 25^th. The Quidi Vidi crew rowed in the boat Undine and beat the city men in the Lady Darling. Just a few days later on July 27^th there was a rematch with the city men rowing the Undine and the Quidi Vidi crew rowing the Lady Darling. The Quidi Vidi crew won the rematch, which pleased the owner of the boat so much that he gave the boat to the crew.

Rivalries of this sort are not uncommon in this type of competition, and while this rivalry certainly stands out, the most heated rivalry in the history of the Regatta did not come until 126 years later.

1856 saw a race which - at the time - was considered a novelty. A crew of women from Quidi Vidi rowing in the gig Darling defeated another women's crew from the Battery in the gig Banshee. This race was the first and only womens race held at the St.John's Regatta until 1949.


The Regatta of 1860 was significant for two reasons.

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales - 19 years old (Year: 1860, Size: 33kB, Source: Regatta Museum).

The first was a visit from His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. This caused quite a stir among the people of the city and indeed of the country. He arrived on the vessel HMS Hero and rode through town on horseback. The Prince spent several hours at the Regatta and offered a sum of one hundred pounds to the winner of the Fisherman's Race. He not only attended the races, but also made his way to Quidi Vidi village to view the fishing stages and learn something of leading an ordinary life. Later in the day he attended a ball at the Colonial Building, now home to the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador, and was presented with a great Newfoundland dog aptly named Cabot. The second reason that 1860 was a significant Regatta was that, unknown to everyone at the time, this would be the last Regatta held for eleven years.

In March of 1861, Sir Alexander Bannerman, then the Governor, had a disagreement with John Kent, the Prime Minister of the time. In short order, Bannerman dissolved the House of Assembly, dismissed the Cabinet and appointed Sir Hugh W. Hoyles as Prime Minister. He then called to the country for a new election in May which gave Hoyles a majority government. This caused much public turmoil and rioting. The end result was the calling out of troops, the reading of the riot act and the unfortunate order to fire into the crowd which lead to the death of two or three persons and the injuring of several more. The rioting and rows continued in many places through the summer. When the time came for the races to be held, Bannerman officially discontinued them and even withdrew the 100 pounds left by Prince Albert Edward. The patronage of the Governorship was withdrawn as well. This continued even after Bannerman, through the entire Governorship of Anthony Musgrave (1864 - 1869) and during the first years of Stephen John Hill (1869 - 1876).

The races return in 1871.

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