Wateringbury Regatta (1866)

Post date: Dec 11, 2013 4:58:55 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph Saturday 18^th August 1866

WATERINGBURY REGATTA. The annual regatta in connection with the Wateringbury Rowing Club, came off on Wednesday last, with, but one exception, general satisfaction. The weather was all that could have been desired, and drew together a large concourse, upwards of 2,000 being present.

The lady patronesses were the Viscountess Falmouth, the Lady Frances Fletcher, the Lady Isabel Bligh, the Hon Lady Stapleton, Lady Hawley, Mrs Wingfield Stratford, Mrs Wildman, Mrs. Stevens, and Mrs. Brown.

President, W. Brown, Esq.

The stewards were the Hon and Rev Sir F. J. Stapleton, Bart, the Rev E. Jones, the Rev A. C. Lee, Captain King, R.H.A., Captain Fisher Evans, Selby Norton, Esq., M.D., H. E. Brown, Esq, T. White, Esq, H. White, Esq, and John Von Dadelszen, Esq.

Amongst the company present were :—Major General Fletcher, Lady Frances Fletcher and party, J. B. Wildman, Esq., Mrs. Wildman, J. W. Stratford Esq., and party, Mr. D. Dalison, Esq., Mrs. and Miss Datison, Mrs. Betts and party, the Rev. A. C. Lee, the Rev G. Paulson, the Rev E. R. Earle, the Rev. H. Stevens Mrs. Stevens and party, the Rev. W. Cobb, Mrs Cobb and party, Capt. and Mrs. King, Dr. Franklyn, M.D., Dr. S. Norton, M.D and party, W. Brown, Esq., Mrs. Brown and the Misses Brown, T. White, Esq., Mrs. T. White, Miss White, and Miss Helen White, Mr. W. S. Brown, A. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay, H. H. Oldman, Esq., (48th Regt), H. Brooke, Esq. , (48th Regt), Capt. and Mrs. Fisher Evans, Miss Evans, and Mr. G. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Moneypenny, the Misses Moneypenny, Mr. and Mrs. Little and party, W. Kelley Esq., J. T. Townsend, Esq., C. Smith Esq., Miss Trent, Miss Allchin, B Roper Esq., and party, Mr. G. Fry, Miss Finley, Miss North, Mr. W. Haymen, Mr. Hooper, Fremlin (4) Mr. G. F. Busbridge and party.

Along the banks the river were marquees erected and a grandstand, which was well attended. On the opposite bank of the river a platform was also erected for the West Kent Militia Band, who played during the day, under the direction of Bugle Major Berry, some excellent selections. The first race the card was announced to take place at two o'clock but it was nearly three before a start was effected. The following was the day's sport:—

First Heats for the Medway Cup, for four oars, 10s entrance, half-forfeit. Half-mile.

First Heat. The " Mabel'' (Maidstone Crew) R. Gibbons, J. Jewell, W. Down, T. Potter, E. Headford (cox) 1 " W.B.C" (Wateringbury Crew) :—G. H.. Evans, Esq., W. Jude, R. Cripps, G. Boorman, E. T. Towner (cox) 2 A good start was effected, the Maidstone crew having a little the best it, the Mabel winning a closely contested race throughout by half a boat. The boats started 30 yards apart, the winning posts of each being separated the same distant.

Second Heat. " The Flying Sap," (Chatham Engineers : Lieut. North, Lieut. Westaway, Capt Maridin, Lieut Macpherson, Lieut. Lee, (cox) 1 The Sea Gull :—(F. Towner, F. Johnson, H. Milles, F. Bennett, J. Wells (cox) 2 The "Flying Sap" won easy.

A Dingee Race for £1. All comers, two oars,2s 6d entrance, second to save his stakes. About half-mile.

White.—(A Bow, Esq., and A Stroke, Esq.,) 1

Dark Blue —(Mr Jas Cox and H. Harris) 2

Greek. —(Mr. E. T. Towner, J. Pickup) 3

The race lay entirely with the first and second boats, green being out-distanced. Just previous to reaching the goal, "dark blue," who had been gaining upon her opponent, and looked like winning, rowed into the bank. "White" coming in first by about half a boat's length, one of whose oarsmen lost his oar just on the winning post.

The Final Heat for the Ladies' Challenge Cup for four oars. All comers, 10s entry. About one mile. The conditions for the possession of the above are that one crew must win it three years in succession before it becomes their property. The Garibaldi Crew had won it the two years previous, and had they have won to-day it would have been their Cup. The trial heats for the contest was rowed for on the previous day, when four boats out of the five entered (independent of the Garibaldi). The results of the two heats were :— " W.B.C" (dark blue and white horse) : —A. White, Esq., A. Fremlin, Esq., W. S. Brown Esq, Mr Jas. Godden, L. A. White, Esq., (cox) 1 " Flying Sap."—(Scarlet and blue)—Lieut. North, R.E.. Lieut. Westaway, R.E. Capt. Marindin, R.E., Lieut. Macpherson, R.E., Lieut. Lee, R.E., (cox) 2 Second Heat. " W.B.C." (Second Crew; (dark blue and White Horse) —G. H. Evans, Esq., Messrs. W. Jude, R. Cripps, G. Boorman, E. T. Towner (cox) ... " Sea Gull," —(dark blue)—(Messrs. F. Towner .. E. Johnson, H. Mills, F. Bennett, J. Wells (cox).

The Wateringbury crews having won their heats, it was agreed that the first of the above four boats (A. White, Esq's., crew) should row the "Garibaldi" this day for the cup. As the two boats rowed down to the scratch, comment was busy as to their respective merits, the Garibaldians having the most admirers. The two boats were placed thirty yards apart, the " W.B.C." being in the first position, and when the pistol was fired a good start was effected, the Wateringbury men rowing a much steadier, longer, and apparently stronger stroke and gradually went away from their opponents, winning in the most hollow manner. In fact it was the worst contested race of the day, and although the Garibaldi crew had the worst boat, we could see no chance of their beating the" W.B.C," with a better. The best men undoubtedly won. The race of course was a disappointment for the "Garibaldi," for if they had won, the trophy would have been their's.

A Sculling Race for a Cup, 5s entry. About half-a-mile. " Lord Lyon" (G. Nurse) " Nelly," (A. White Esq.,) 2 " Kitty." (T. Hutson) The race was confined to the first two. Nurse winning a splendid-race by about a boat's head only.

Final Heat for the Medway Cup. The “Flying Sap" and the " Mabel'' then went down the river for the final heat the above cup. The race throughout was capitally rowed and closely contested. The judge placing them as under: The "Flying Sap" 1 The " Mabel" The decision of the judge gave the greatest dissatisfaction, as it was the firm conviction of 99 out of every hundred that the Mabel won by nearly half a length, the pistol not being fired till she had passed her post that distance. The decision of the judge was at once impugned and the Committee consulted, who said they could only be guided by that of the judge, which was final.

A Pair-oared Race with steerer for Silver Challenge Oars, presented C. J. Mercer, Esq., (to be held from year to year only). 9s entrance. About half-a-mile. "Dark Blue and White Horse," —(A. Fremlin, Esq., James Cox, Esq., and G. M. White, Esq., (cox) "White, Brown, and White," —W. S. Brown, Esq., A. White, Esq., and L. A. White, Esq., (cox) 2 The boats kept the course well within the distance, but closely pressed the former won by half a length.

This concluded the racing for the day. "Tunbridge" against "Wateringbury" was marked on the card, but did not come off.

There were besides the above a variety of other amusements provided, such tub racing, climbing the greasy pole, &c. With the exception of the dispute for the Medway Cup the whole of the proceedings passed off very pleasantly, the only other complaint was the delay in commencing the sports. Mr Jude (the Secretary) and the Committee, however, exerted themselves to their utmost to make the day one of general pleasure. After the sports Mr. Brown and Mr. Jude entertained, at their respective residences, a large party of friends.