The Royal St. John's Regatta - 1871

1871: After a 10-year hiatus, the Regatta is re-introduced into Newfoundland culture. The Regatta Committee takes on a more pro-active role.
1874: A sculling race takes place between a Nova Scotian, George Ferguson, and a local man, Richard Squires, of Broad Cove. Squires defeats Ferguson.
1877: The Seven Placentia Giants make their way into St. John's after carrying their racing boat from Placentia. They win their race, sell the boat and return to Placentia.
1882: An Amateur crew in the Dora rows the course in the "questionable" time of 9:21. Many felt the time should have been 10:21.
1884: Tragedy grips Regatta as three young men from Toraby - Samuel Gosse, John Martin and Mogue Power - drown while rowing in the Juvenile Race in the Terra Nova. The boat is later renamed the Myrtle. In the cemetery in Torbay stands a monument to these young men which was refurbished by Mr. Alec Henley in 2002.
1885: Outer Cove wins the Fishermen's Race in the Myrtle in a time of 9:20, a record which stands for sixteen years.
1887: Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations. Two days are set aside for the Regatta.; Outer Cove wins the fifth of five consecutive Championships.
1892: The Great Fire sweeps through St. John's on July 8 leaving thousands homeless. It is decided not to hold the Regatta this year as the shores of Quidi Vidi Lake are filled with tents of families.
1895: Dr. Herbert H. Rendell designs a new racing shell based on English designs then in use. Based on this design, Robert Sexton of the Lawrence Carriage Factory builds the Glance. This design is still the standard used for building shells today.


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		1871-1895: Special Events 1871 After a 10-year hiatus, the Regatta is re-introduced into Newfoundland culture. The Regatta Committee takes on a more pro-active role. 1874 A sculling race takes place between a Nova Scotian, George Ferguson, and a local man, Richard Squires, of Broad Cove. Squires defeats Ferguson. 1877 The Seven Placentia Giants make their way into St. John's after carrying their racing boat from Placentia. They win their race, sell the boat and return to Placentia. 1882 An Amateur crew in the Dora rows the course in the "questionable" time of 9:21. Many felt the time should have been 10:21. 1884 Tragedy grips Regatta as three young men from Toraby - Samuel Gosse, John Martin and Mogue Power - drown while rowing in the Juvenile Race in the Terra Nova. The boat is later renamed the Myrtle. In the cemetery in Torbay stands a monument to these young men which was refurbished by Mr. Alec Henley in 2002. 1885 Outer Cove wins the Fishermen's Race in the Myrtle in a time of 9:20, a record which stands for sixteen years. 1887 Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations. Two days are set aside for the Regatta. Outer Cove wins the fifth of five consecutive Championships. 1892 The Great Fire sweeps through St. John's on July 8 leaving thousands homeless. It is decided not to hold the Regatta this year as the shores of Quidi Vidi Lake are filled with tents of families. 1895 Dr. Herbert H. Rendell designs a new racing shell based on English designs then in use. Based on this design, Robert Sexton of the Lawrence Carriage Factory builds the Glance. This design is still the standard used for building shells today.