The Royal St. John's Regatta - 1871

Tragedy and controversy at the races

In 1884, tragedy struck the Regatta. A crew of teenage boys from Torbay, rowing the Terra Nova in the Juvenile Race, were returning to the home stakes when their boat became swamped, and sank. Despite every effort being made to rescue them, the boys' exhaustion combined with the cold water proved to be too much. Three of the boys drowned: Samuel Gosse, John Martin, and Mogue Power. One of the boys was found still sitting in the rowing position, a testament to their will to finish the race despite being swamped. The Terra Nova was renamed a year later to the Myrtle, and went on to serve other crews despite its tragic history.

Gossages Soaps are the best and cheapest in Newfoundland

Gossages Soaps are the best and cheapest in Newfoundland

Advertisement from the 1912 Regatta Souvenir Postcard Booklet

Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebration in 1887 was a reason for Newfoundlanders to celebrate. Keeping in the royal tradition, the Regatta of that year was held in honor of the Queen. However, the celebrations were marred by controversy when it was implied that the budget of $750.00 for the celebrations was not adhered to. Reactions to these implications created almost as much of a spectacle as the celebrations themselves. The local papers of the time, The Evening Telegram (anti-celebration) and The Evening Herald (pro-celebration) gave very different accounts of the same events. When the Celebrations Committee made a donation of $30.00 to the Regatta Committee, the Regatta Committee became so insulted and outraged that they sent the money back. Tensions mounted further when it was revealed that $600.00 had been spent on champagne for the Colonial Ball.

The great fire

Near the close of this era, tragedy struck again. On July 8^th, 1892, the Great Fire swept through St. John's. A large portion of the city was destroyed, leaving thousands homeless and without possessions. Being hardy Newfoundlanders with a deep compassion for each other, it was no time before tent cities were erected to offer shelter to the homeless. All open areas in the city were recruited, such as Bowring Park and of course, Quidi Vidi. For obvious reasons there was no Regatta held during 1892. The focus of everyone at the time was helping those unfortunate souls, as stated in The Royal Gazette:

"The cold season is coming upon us rapidly and speedy action should be taken to get the people who are encamped in canvas tents by Quidi Vidi Lake, under better shelter before the frost and snow arrives. Last night the thermometer fell to fifty degrees, and everything was saturated with dew; few such nights as last, would chill the marrow of the hardiest of those who slept on the bleak margin of Quidi Vidi."

-The Royal Gazette
Tuesday, Aug 2nd, 1892

The races continued again in 1893, and the era ended with no further incident.

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		Tragedy and controversy at the races In 1884, tragedy struck the Regatta. A crew of teenage boys from Torbay, rowing the Terra Nova in the Juvenile Race, were returning to the home stakes when their boat became swamped, and sank. Despite every effort being made to rescue them, the boys' exhaustion combined with the cold water proved to be too much. Three of the boys drowned: Samuel Gosse, John Martin, and Mogue Power. One of the boys was found still sitting in the rowing position, a testament to their will to finish the race despite being swamped. The Terra Nova was renamed a year later to the Myrtle, and went on to serve other crews despite its tragic history. Advertisement from the 1912 Regatta Souvenir Postcard Booklet Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee celebration in 1887 was a reason for Newfoundlanders to celebrate. Keeping in the royal tradition, the Regatta of that year was held in honor of the Queen. However, the celebrations were marred by controversy when it was implied that the budget of $750.00 for the celebrations was not adhered to. Reactions to these implications created almost as much of a spectacle as the celebrations themselves. The local papers of the time, The Evening Telegram (anti-celebration) and The Evening Herald (pro-celebration) gave very different accounts of the same events. When the Celebrations Committee made a donation of $30.00 to the Regatta Committee, the Regatta Committee became so insulted and outraged that they sent the money back. Tensions mounted further when it was revealed that $600.00 had been spent on champagne for the Colonial Ball. The great fire Near the close of this era, tragedy struck again. On July 8^th, 1892, the Great Fire swept through St. John's. A large portion of the city was destroyed, leaving thousands homeless and without possessions. Being hardy Newfoundlanders with a deep compassion for each other, it was no time before tent cities were erected to offer shelter to the homeless. All open areas in the city were recruited, such as Bowring Park and of course, Quidi Vidi. For obvious reasons there was no Regatta held during 1892. The focus of everyone at the time was helping those unfortunate souls, as stated in The Royal Gazette: "The cold season is coming upon us rapidly and speedy action should be taken to get the people who are encamped in canvas tents by Quidi Vidi Lake, under better shelter before the frost and snow arrives. Last night the thermometer fell to fifty degrees, and everything was saturated with dew; few such nights as last, would chill the marrow of the hardiest of those who slept on the bleak margin of Quidi Vidi." -The Royal Gazette Tuesday, Aug 2nd, 1892 The races continued again in 1893, and the era ended with no further incident. Page 1 \| Page 2