The Royal St. John's Regatta

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1898: The venerable old canon used to start and end races almost since the beginning was replaced by a shotgun fired from the judge's boat.
1899: The last 4-oared races were held until revived briefly in the next century. The same boats were usually used for both 4- and 6-oared races, the only difference being the number of oars.
1900: A dead heat between in the Trade Race between the boats Glance and Bob Sexton with a time of 9:55.80.
1901: Crew from Outer Cove rowing in the Blue Peter sets a course record of 9:13.80. This course record will stand for exactly 80 years. In a twist of fate, the Outer Cove crew consisting of Daniel and Dennis McCarthy, Dennis Croke, Martin Boland, John Nugent, John Whalen and Coxswain Walter Power almost did not have the opportunity to row that famous race. After being beaten by Torbay in the Fishermen's Race, they wanted a rematch. Up until the last minute, the rematch was not being granted. Torbay finally conceded and Outer Cove beat them, securing a place in the Championship Race.
1902: The Church Lads Brigade, rowing in the Brigade Race, brought the Bob Sexton to victory, even though Myles broke an oar on the first stroke.
1904: A crew from the community of Blackhead makes a very impressive showing at the 1904 Regatta. It was common for the entire community to row down to Quidi Vidi Lake, and on this day they would not be disappointed. Beating all odds, the Blackhead crew outclassed all other competitors in the Fishermen's Race and posted an impressive time of 9:21. It was speculated that Blackhead could have beaten the 9:13 record had they not slowed to wave to their families on the beach. Later in the day they squared off against the favoured Outer Cove crew and defeated them, posting another impressive time of 9:24. The six man crew comprised the entire adult male population of the village. The story of the Blackhead crew has fallen away from public consciousness for the most part, but in 1995 they were inducted into the Royal St. John's Regatta Hall of Fame for their amazing feats.
1906: The Rt. Hon. The Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, for whom the C.F.L. Grey Cup is named, and Countess Grey attend the Regatta; Swimming Races are held as a novelty event and continue until 1914.
1908: The land on the north side of Quidi Vidi Lake is rumored to be in development for housing and other buildings. Prime Minister Sir Edward Morris, with the help of colleagues and by mortgaging his home "Beaconsfield", raised the $11,129.00 needed to purchase the land. He then turned the property over to the Regatta Committee. In 1987, Sir Edward Morris is inducted into the St.John's Regatta Hall of Fame for this act.
1910: Lord Brassey, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings) donates $25.00 for an award to any crew that breaks the 1901 course record. The Regatta Committee strikes " The Lord Warden's Medals".
1911: Regatta is known as the "Coronation Regatta" in honour of the Coronation of King George V
1914: War breaks out in Europe on the eve of the Regatta. This years Regatta goes ahead, but it will be the last one until 1919. This begins the tradition of "no Regatta held during war-times". During this Regatta, the weather was misty with a fog hanging over the surface of the lake. In the first race there was a collision which sent the Cadet to its boathouse for repairs. Later, a foul was placed against the Shamrock when someone in the boat threw an object at an opposing Coxswain.; The song "The Banks of Newfoundland" written by Sir Francis Forbes in 1820 is adopted by the First Newfoundland Regiment as their Regimental march. Later it becomes the traditional Regatta theme and is commonly known as "Up the Pond"
1919: The end of the war and victory for Britain meant Newfoundlanders could once again enjoy the Regatta. This is reffered to as the "Victory Regatta".; Attended by His Royal Highness Edward Albert, Prince of Wales ( later King Edward VIII). This would be the second of three Royal visits, the first being in 1860 when King Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales) attended.; Sgt. Charles Peters drowns when the boat Nellie R takes on water. All other crew get clear of boat and survive. No time is wasted in raising money for the widow of this well known man.
1922: The Blue Peter is retired from Quidi Vidi and hung from the Rafters in the CLB Armoury on Harvey Road. The Armoury and the Blue Peter are were destroyed in fire on December21^st1992.
1924: Commonly known as the "Haig Regatta" as it is attended by the British Field Marshall Earl Douglas Haig, Supreme Commander of the First Newfoundland Regiment, who was in St. John's to unveil a War Memorial
1935: Regatta is known as the "Jubilee Regatta" to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Coronation of King George V.
1937: The Regatta Committee, under President Rendell W. Jeans, drew up a Constitution and created a limited liability company to put the Regatta on a more stable footing. They acquire all the independently owned boats and boathouses.; At the suggestion of the Regatta Committee, the City of St. John's purchased the land to the west of Quidi Vidi Lake with a view to establishing "King George V Memorial Park".; The Regatta Committee introduces a fleet of 4-oared shells which continue to race until 1945. They were dropped because they were not popular due to their slower times.
1937: Races first Broadcast by the Dominion Broadcasting Company.
1939: War erupts again in Europe, no Regatta held in 1940.; West End Police crew wins their fifth straight Championship Race
1941: At the urging of military leaders, the Regatta is re-instated as a distraction to the men serving in Newfoundland, and as a form of competitive exercise to keep the men in fighting shape.
1943: Death of Honorable William J. Higgins.
1944: Death of famed racing boat builder Mr. Bob Sexton.
1945: The Regatta is once again dubbed the "Victory Regatta" celebrating the end of World War II.
1948: Four new boats were imported from Salter Brothers, Oxford, England at a cost of $1,750 each. This was the first time that all shells were the same size and weight
1949: Newfoundland joins Confederation with Canada and ceases to be an independent Dominion; Ladies' Races are introduced. This is the first time that women rowed in the St. John's Regatta since 1856.


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		Page 1 \| Page 2 \| Page 3 \| Page 4 \| Page 5 1898 The venerable old canon used to start and end races almost since the beginning was replaced by a shotgun fired from the judge's boat. 1899 The last 4-oared races were held until revived briefly in the next century. The same boats were usually used for both 4- and 6-oared races, the only difference being the number of oars. 1900 A dead heat between in the Trade Race between the boats Glance and Bob Sexton with a time of 9:55.80. 1901 Crew from Outer Cove rowing in the Blue Peter sets a course record of 9:13.80. This course record will stand for exactly 80 years. In a twist of fate, the Outer Cove crew consisting of Daniel and Dennis McCarthy, Dennis Croke, Martin Boland, John Nugent, John Whalen and Coxswain Walter Power almost did not have the opportunity to row that famous race. After being beaten by Torbay in the Fishermen's Race, they wanted a rematch. Up until the last minute, the rematch was not being granted. Torbay finally conceded and Outer Cove beat them, securing a place in the Championship Race. 1902 The Church Lads Brigade, rowing in the Brigade Race, brought the Bob Sexton to victory, even though Myles broke an oar on the first stroke. 1904 A crew from the community of Blackhead makes a very impressive showing at the 1904 Regatta. It was common for the entire community to row down to Quidi Vidi Lake, and on this day they would not be disappointed. Beating all odds, the Blackhead crew outclassed all other competitors in the Fishermen's Race and posted an impressive time of 9:21. It was speculated that Blackhead could have beaten the 9:13 record had they not slowed to wave to their families on the beach. Later in the day they squared off against the favoured Outer Cove crew and defeated them, posting another impressive time of 9:24. The six man crew comprised the entire adult male population of the village. The story of the Blackhead crew has fallen away from public consciousness for the most part, but in 1995 they were inducted into the Royal St. John's Regatta Hall of Fame for their amazing feats. 1906 The Rt. Hon. The Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, for whom the C.F.L. Grey Cup is named, and Countess Grey attend the Regatta Swimming Races are held as a novelty event and continue until 1914. 1908 The land on the north side of Quidi Vidi Lake is rumored to be in development for housing and other buildings. Prime Minister Sir Edward Morris, with the help of colleagues and by mortgaging his home "Beaconsfield", raised the $11,129.00 needed to purchase the land. He then turned the property over to the Regatta Committee. In 1987, Sir Edward Morris is inducted into the St.John's Regatta Hall of Fame for this act. 1910 Lord Brassey, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings) donates $25.00 for an award to any crew that breaks the 1901 course record. The Regatta Committee strikes " The Lord Warden's Medals". 1911 Regatta is known as the "Coronation Regatta" in honour of the Coronation of King George V 1914 War breaks out in Europe on the eve of the Regatta. This years Regatta goes ahead, but it will be the last one until 1919. This begins the tradition of "no Regatta held during war-times". During this Regatta, the weather was misty with a fog hanging over the surface of the lake. In the first race there was a collision which sent the Cadet to its boathouse for repairs. Later, a foul was placed against the Shamrock when someone in the boat threw an object at an opposing Coxswain. The song "The Banks of Newfoundland" written by Sir Francis Forbes in 1820 is adopted by the First Newfoundland Regiment as their Regimental march. Later it becomes the traditional Regatta theme and is commonly known as "Up the Pond" 1919 The end of the war and victory for Britain meant Newfoundlanders could once again enjoy the Regatta. This is reffered to as the "Victory Regatta". Attended by His Royal Highness Edward Albert, Prince of Wales ( later King Edward VIII). This would be the second of three Royal visits, the first being in 1860 when King Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales) attended. Sgt. Charles Peters drowns when the boat Nellie R takes on water. All other crew get clear of boat and survive. No time is wasted in raising money for the widow of this well known man. 1922 The Blue Peter is retired from Quidi Vidi and hung from the Rafters in the CLB Armoury on Harvey Road. The Armoury and the Blue Peter are were destroyed in fire on December21^st1992. 1924 Commonly known as the "Haig Regatta" as it is attended by the British Field Marshall Earl Douglas Haig, Supreme Commander of the First Newfoundland Regiment, who was in St. John's to unveil a War Memorial 1935 Regatta is known as the "Jubilee Regatta" to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Coronation of King George V. 1937 The Regatta Committee, under President Rendell W. Jeans, drew up a Constitution and created a limited liability company to put the Regatta on a more stable footing. They acquire all the independently owned boats and boathouses. At the suggestion of the Regatta Committee, the City of St. John's purchased the land to the west of Quidi Vidi Lake with a view to establishing "King George V Memorial Park". The Regatta Committee introduces a fleet of 4-oared shells which continue to race until 1945. They were dropped because they were not popular due to their slower times. 1937 Races first Broadcast by the Dominion Broadcasting Company. 1939 War erupts again in Europe, no Regatta held in 1940. West End Police crew wins their fifth straight Championship Race 1941 At the urging of military leaders, the Regatta is re-instated as a distraction to the men serving in Newfoundland, and as a form of competitive exercise to keep the men in fighting shape. 1943 Death of Honorable William J. Higgins. 1944 Death of famed racing boat builder Mr. Bob Sexton. 1945 The Regatta is once again dubbed the "Victory Regatta" celebrating the end of World War II. 1948 Four new boats were imported from Salter Brothers, Oxford, England at a cost of $1,750 each. This was the first time that all shells were the same size and weight 1949 Newfoundland joins Confederation with Canada and ceases to be an independent Dominion Ladies' Races are introduced. This is the first time that women rowed in the St. John's Regatta since 1856. (continued on Page 3) Page 1 \| Page 2 \| Page 3 \| Page 4 \| Page 5