Medway regattas (1865)

Post date: Apr 13, 2015 7:40:15 PM

Extract from Sussex Advertiser Tuesday 18 July 1865

THE TONBRIDGE REGATTA. This Regatta, of which we have heard so much of late, came off on Wednesday, on a straight piece of water, measuring a little over half a mile, from Lucefie Bridge, on the River Medway, upwards, kindly lent by J. Thompson, Esq. The races were, announced to commence at 12.30, but owing unfortunately to the grand stand not being completed they were compelled to be postponed until 1.45, which fact tended to mar the proceedings very much. The capital band of the 23rd K.R.V. (Penshurst ), was engaged and played some splendid music at intervals. Considerable delay was occasioned between each race, in consequence of the crews of the strange boats running away from their posts, or were not ready, or could be found when their time was up, it being arranged that as the pistol of the judge was fired intimating the arrival of each boat, the boats contesting in the next race should be ready for the starter, but not once were these arrangements carried into effect, on several occasions the interval being an hour, which fact alone made the bystanders very impatient.

The rowing on the whole was exceedingly good, especially the Engineers, who spun along wonderfully, the Tonbridge Boating Club crew, throwing up too much water by feathering, but this of course may be somewhat accounted for by the make of their boat. A professional from Wateringbury, E. Hudson, rowed remarkably well, but another professional, until this day considered of some repute, was made the laughing stock of everyone, through his "water-mill" fashion of rowing. We need not mention that he was G. Wingate, sporting the colours of the light blue, and beaten only twice. In fact the two silver goblets would never have left Tonbridge had it not been for his unmistaken clumsiness in kicking the footboard of his boat away while rowing in the pair-oared gig race with Mr. Potter, being at the time about half a dozen boats' lengths ahead of his opponents, and was rounding the turn not far from home but was eventually beaten by about half a boat's length. In fact we have strong reasons to suppose that there was something wrong in this race, and we trust the committee will make a strict investigation.

The Grand Challenge Cup, value £10 10s., for four-oared boats of any description was the race of the day, and was the most remarkable race of any. In the first heat between the crews of the Bee, (Ordnance Surrey Club), and the Nymph (Wateringbury) the former boat, in coming in front of grand stand, was four boats' lengths ahead of the latter, when the judge in a mistake fired his pistol. McKenzie, of the former, hearing the sound of the pistol, naturally dropped his oar, which the others did also, considering the race won, but on being acquainted that they had another boat's length before they were " at home," three of the crew seized their oars and pulled away, but McKenzies' oar having sank into the water, beneath the button, caused the stroke when he commenced to thrust it deep into the water, and in regaining his oar, which he found sinking, he capsized the boat, and the whole of the crew were immersed. Considerable merriment was, however, occasioned by the little cox seizing the boat and, jumping across her keel, riding on the boat merrily along. During this excitement the latter boat took advantage, and rowed to the post, coming in before the other boat, which was pushed along, by about two yards, at the time of the accident being fully four lengths behind. This accident occasioned considerable dispute, and the matter was referred to the committee, who decided we think virtually in favour of Wateringbury, by making the "soaked crew" row over again. Two judges were appointed, one to fire his pistol when the first boat came in, and the other to fire when the second came in, but, in the case of the capsize, the judge that should have fired when the second boat came in fired when the first boat came in, consequently the rowing was stopped, because the crew is not supposed to know where they are, except the coxswain. In the rowing off, the Wateringbury crew beat, but the cup is only taken under protest, the question of right in the first heat not yet being decided. The cup is an exceedingly handsome one, beautifully done, and bears the following inscription:-"Presented by the town of Tonbridge, to be rowed for on the 12th July." On the other side space is left for the names of the winning crews, the cup not being the property of a club until won by the same club for three consecutive years. It is now held by the Tonbridge Town Club.

The Tub Race occasioned a great deal of merriment, on account of the frequent duckings the poor fellows got when they attempted to paddle along. One of them, named Elliott, braved the water beautifully, and, in starting, sank his tub, but Mr. F. White being ahead of him he swam after him and upset him. Throwing himself on his back, he laid hold of his opponent's tub with his hands and swam to the opposite shore" when he got in and rowed some distance. He again got capsized, and Mr. White recovered his tub. No competitors were now in the field, but a boy named Turner volunteered, and the race commenced. Mr. White led the way having a good paddle and tub, while the boy had a piece of old board by which he paddled away and his opponent only beat him by about a yard, when the boy's tub sank and Mr. White jumped in after him. A great number of the parties entered for this race did not row at all, on account of their tubs, when brought up, being too small for their weight. Nothing could be seen of the race except at the finish, on account of the bushes alongside the river, consequently we cannot give our readers any account as to how the several crews rowed at the finish. We, however, append the matches, trusting that the committee at their next regatta will produce a somewhat more intelligible programme, and a better arranged grand stand, as it was utterly impossible to tell which race was coming off until their colours were seen coming in.

The starter was R. Montague, Esq.; Judges, Capt. Larking R.N., and W. S. Coles; Umpire, Mr. George Wingate ; Stewards, G. Stenning, H. Bishop, John Le Fleming, C. R. Peake, A. A. Stretten, and E. C. Smythe, Esqrs. We must say that the duties imposed on these gentlemen were onerous in the extreme, and were performed in a praiseworthy manner, the starting being without a fault. The following is the list of matches:-

First Race for Dingeys, with crew of 3.-Four to enter or no race; first prize £1; second to save stake, entry 3s. In this race the crews of the Fright and Warrior were scratched, in order to row for the pair oared gig race. Waterlily (red) first by about 50 boats' lengths, in fact being almost a row over. The crew were Messrs. M. Elliott, T. Norton, senr., and T. Norton, junr. The crew of the Wasp (white), the beaten boat were Messrs. J. Payne, T. Payne, and G. Payne (cox.)

Second Race for Skullers in Skiff-Three to enter, or no race ; first prize 10s. Entry 1s. 6d. Was won by Mr. E. Hudson, of Wateringbury, with decided ease, in the Fly, being contested by Mr. George Windgate, the professional in the Wasp (light blue).

Third Race, Grand Challenge Cup, Value 10 guineas-For four oared boats, of any description. Boat entry, 10s. 6d. This was the race of the day and was a well contested one. In the first heat, the crew of the Nymph ( dark blue and white, Wateringbury), Messrs. F. White, J. Godden, G. Boorman (stroke) Archibald White, and E. Towner (cox.), and the Bee (red white and blue-Engineers), crew Messrs M C. D. Mc Kenzle, R. Benaman, J. M. Johnstone, G. Farr (stroke), and H. Farr (cox.), contested, and as we have before mentioned the report of the judges pistol slackened rowing too soon, the Nymph, after the capsize of the Bee going in first by about two yards. SECOND Heat between the crew of the Seagull (dark blue- Tonbridge), Messrs. F. Towner, F. Bednett, H. Miller, W. R. PottEr (stroke), Wheatlev (cox.), and the Waterwitch (light blue), crew, Messrs. E.Harris, T. J. White, T. F. Murphy, J. Kelly (stroke), J. Well (cox), the latter being beaten by about a length and a half. The FINAL HEAT was consequently between the crew of the Nymph and the Seagull; but after a close contest the latter came in the winner, amid thunders of shouting, by about half a length.

Fourth Race, Match for Four Oars.-Wateringbury v. Tonbridge.-This was a very good race, and was won by about four boats length by tlie crew of the Waterwitch (Tonbridge), Messrs. E. Harris, T. J. White, T. F. Murphy, J. Kelly (stroke), J. Wells (cox.), against the crew of the Nymph (Wateringbury), Messrs. James Cox, J. Godden, R. Cripps. G. Boorman (stroke), and E. Towner (cox.), who have won it till this time, at the last four regattas.

Fifth Race.-Pair Oared Gig Race for two Goblets, value £5 5s. ; three to enter or no race ; entry, 7s. 6d. The goblets to become the sole property of the winners. The first heat was between the crew of the Fly (Wateringbury), Messrs. C. Hudson, R. Hudson, A. Hudson ; and the crew of the Blue Jacket (Tonbridge). Messrs. G, Wingate, W. H. Potter, and Master Payne (cox.), but owing to the blundering of Wingate, in kicking his footboard away a few yards from home, the Fly gained half a dozen lengths on them, and came in first by about half a length. The crew of the Daisy having been scratched, the crew of the Wheatland rowed over, and the goblets were declared to be the property of the Wateringbury crew.

Sixth Race.-Medway Stakes, value £3 3s. For four oared boats of any description. Three to enter or no race: entry, 10s. The crews of the Nymph and Seagull were scratched in this match in order to prepare for the final heat of the Challenge Cup, which came on after leaving the match to be decided between the crew of the Bee (Engineers) Messrs. C. D. McKenzie, R. Bearman, J. M. Johnstone, G. W. Farr (stroke), H. Farr (cox), and the crew of the Waterwitch (Tonbridge), Messrs. E. Harris, F. White, T. Murphy, I. Kelly (stroke), J. Wells, the latter winning by about two lengths.

Seventh Race.-The Tub Race, 100 yards. First prize, 10s., second, 2s. 6d. Entry, Is. None but swimmers allowed. No assistance from bystanders. Tubs to be propelled by one paddle. This was the last race of the day, and afforded the most amusement. " Jolly Dogs," W. F. White, lst. " Here we are again," Mr. M. Elliott, 0, and " Slap Bang," a boy named Turner, 2nd. Each of the rowers received a good ducking.

The several crews, stewards, and other officers, with their friends, adjourned to the Castle Inn, where an excellent dinner was provided. Capt. Larking, R.N., was voted to the chair, and R. Montague, Esq., vice chair. The cloth having been withdrawn, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given, and duly responded, and in answer to the toast of the evening, W. H. Potter, Esq., observed he did not begrudge the Wateringbury crew receiving the Goblets, if they had won them fairly, meaning if his partner had not blundered in kicking his footboard away, but he was rather disappointed at being beaten, when so near winning. The cup was filled with champagne several times, and went the round of the crews. After a very merry evening, the company broke up at a seasonable hour.

Extract from Sussex Advertiser 1^st August 1865

WATERINGBURY REGATTA.

This regatta came off on Wednesday last, at Wateringbury, under very auspicious circumstances. The weather was all that could be desired, and the arrangements were of the best. In order to keep the crowd away from the grand stand, the committee had ingeniously arranged a greased pole (upon the top of which was a leg of mutton), on the other side of the river, and consequently the greatest portion of the crowd went upon that side to try their hands, and the course was thus kept clear and comfortable, without the usual crushing. A splendid and spacious booth was erected close to the station, and the rowing took place upon a sheet of water on the river Medway, in close proximity to tbe entrance to the station.

The Tonbridge crew competed in the race for the Ladies' Challenge Cup for four oars, and succeeded in coming in second, losing only a little over a quarter of a boat's length. This, however, happened through the coxswain, when about a quarter of a mile from home, making a great circumference round a bend of the river, and before they could possibly regain their position their opponents shot by them, and claimed the victory.

In the friendly annual contest of the four-oared match, Tonbridge v. Wateringbury, the Tonbridgians were more fortunate, and won the race by about half a boat's length, the Wateringbury at all previous engagements succeeding in carrying it off. This event speaks well for the condition of the Tonbridge crew, who have now not only distinguished themselves "at home" but "abroad." The celebrated band of the West Kent Light Infantry Militia performed some admirable music during the regatta and was conducted by Mr. Geo. Berry, the programme being a lengthy one, containing selected marches, quadrilles fantasias, etc..

During the interval between the Tub Race and the final heat for the Medway Cup, a curious circumstance happened. A man in the crowd threw another's hat into the middle of the river, and an offer was made to give a gallon of ale to anyone who would fetch it out, whereupon a bricklayer, aged about 30, in a half intoxicated state, volunteered to fetch it out, but, when he got into the middle of the stream he sank, and was under water for upwards of three minutes when a boat was rowed to the rescue, and Lieut. J. T Bucknill, R.E., stationed at Chatham, plunged into the river swam and dived after the man, and succeeded in bringing him to shore, amid the cheers of the congregated multitude. Two doctors fortunately being present, he was attended to by them, and resuscitated in about ten minutes. Some gentlemen volunteered to raise a subscription to present to Mr. Bucknill for his gallant conduct, and upwards of £15 was immediately collected, and which is intended to purchase a testimonial in silver to be presented at a future time, for indeed the act was both daring and gallant.

The officers were composed of the following gentlemen, and subjoined is the programme of the racing:-Capt. Brenchley, R. M. Hayman, Esq., Rev. A. C. Lee, T. White, Esq., Capt. Evans, Capt. King, H. Brown, Esq., H. M. Gould, Esq.

A Dingee Race for £1, all comers, two oars, no steerer, 2s. 6d. entry, second to share his stakes. About a mile course. Mr. T. Hutson (dark blue), and Mr. Cheesman, first, beating Mr. R. Cupps and Mr. H. Harris (blue and white).

First Heat of the Medway Cup, for four oars, 10s. entry, half forfeit, course about half a mile, was rowed for by

the "Swift" crew, Messrs. Jas. Cox, William Judge, A. Tremlin, C. J. Mercer, and E. Towner, (cox).

The ''Garibaldi" crew, Messrs. G. Nurse, T. Finey, G. Paine, G. Glegg, and E. Nurse (cox).

'Ihe "Seagull,' Messrs. F.Towner, F. Bennett, T. Murphy, J. Kelly, J. Wells (cox.),

which resulted in leaving the course-to the "Garibaldi" and the '' Swift." In the rowing off for the Final Heat for the Medway Cup, the "Garibaldi" claimed it, amid much shouting.

A sculling Race for a Cup, 5s. entry, about half-a-mile course, next came off, and was won by Mr. T. Hutson, having beaten his opponent, Lieut. W. A. W. Orange, R.E.

The Final Heat of the Ladies' Challenge Cup for four oars, next came off, at three o'clock. The race was open to all comers, and the entry was 10s. the course being about half-a-mile. In this race the following boats competed:-

''The Garibaldi" (red and white), crew Messrs. G. Nurse. T. Finley, A.S. Paine, T. Clegg, and E. Nurse, (cox.);

" The Maid of Kent" ( lark blue and white horse), crew. Messrs. F. White, Jas. Godden, Geo. Boorman, A. White, and B. White (cox).

The '' Fairy" (cerise), crew. Lieuts. W. North, R.F.,M. Ommanney, R.E.C. J. Bucknill, RE. C. Harrson. R.E.and H. P. Le, R.E (cox.).

The " Seagull " (blue, Tonbridge), Messrs. F. Towner, F. Bennett, T. Murphy, J. Kellv, and J. Wells (cox) ; and

the "Flirt" (sky blue). Lieuts. Dilton, R.E., Westairav, R.E. Lambert, R.E, Macpherson, R.E. and Gill, R.E. (cox). In the rowing off, the " Garibaldi " came in a winner by about a quarter of a boat's length, before the Tonbridge "Seagull." The "Garibaldi’’ now holds it for the second time.

The next was A Pair Oared Race, with steerer, for a cup, and was rowed for by Messrs. T. Hutson, C. Hutson, and A. Hutson (cox). Lieuts. Lambert, R. E., Macpherson, R. E.. and Gill, R. E. (cox.) F. White, H. White, and B. White (cox), Esqrs., and was won by the former.

The Four Oared Match, " Tonbridge v. Wateringbury," concluding the programme was an excellent race. It was between the " Waterwitch " ( Tonbridge). Messrs. E. Harris, T. White, T. Murphy, J. Kelly. J. Wells (cox), and the "Maid of the Kent" (Wateringburv), Messrs. H. White, Jas. Godden, R. Cripps, Geo. Boorman, E. Towner (cox). The Tonbridge crew for the first time come in a winner at Wateringoury, at about half a boat's length.

Extract from Sussex Advertiser Tuesday 22^nd August 1865

Boating-Tonbridge v. Wateringbury.

On Wednesday last the Tonbridge and Wateringbury Boating Clubs had a first- class four-oared competition, which caused considerable excitement throughout this parish. The race was arranged after the Wateringbury Regatta, by the wish of several of the Peckham farmers. The banks of the river were very numerously covered with ladies and gentlemen of the place. The race was from the Railway Bridge to the bridge leading to Messrs. Wild's Mills, a distance of about a half a mile, or a little over that distance. Mr. Hall, of Hall Place, East Peckham, acted a judge, Mr. Russell as starter, and Mr. Davis, umpire.

Tonbridge won the choice of stations, and went to the front. A very even start was made both crews taking the water together, darting off in fine style. The serpentine route of the river greatly tried the skill of the coxwain of each boat, but nevertheless they steered their boats in splendid style. The Wateringbury boat, immediately after the start, considerably gained upon Tonbridge, but by the good judgement on the part of the Tonbridge coxswain, he having put his crew to a fine spurt at about two hundred yards from the winning post, landing them a winner by about half a boat's length for the first heat, after a finely contested race.

The Tonbridge crews were F. Towner, T. White, T. Murphy, J. Kelly (stroke) and J. Wells (cox);

Wateringbury- Holden[1], J. Godden[2], R. Cripps, G. Boorman (stroke) E. Towner (cox).

[1] No Holden at 1881 Wateringbury census.

[2] No Godden at 1881 Wateringbury census.