Australian Historical Sailing Skiff Association Inc

The Historic 18 Ft skiff, Britannia, in the Balmain Regatta, celebrates her 11th

birthday this year.

Next Meeting: Thursday, 21st November, 20137.30pm at Drummoyne Sailing Club

The October meeting was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum. Pleasemake an effort to attend the November meeting if you are available.

November Newsletter 2013

Patron: Phil BoydPresident Ian Smith Vice President John LewisHon. Secretary Position Vacant Commodore Bob SawyerHon. Treasurer Coral Taylor Vice Commodores Michael Chapman

& Col Gillespie

Websites: ahssa.weebly.comnswtens.weebly.com

AHSSAP.O. Box 48Drummoyne, NSW 2047

Editor: Peter BurgessEmail: ahssa@y7mail.com

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Postal Address:

The Balmain Regatta,

27th October, 2013The Balmain Regatta this year saw 3 Historic 10ft skiffs (Keriki, Merle & Wrecker), as well as 2 Historic 18ft skiffs (Britannia & The Scot). Many thanks to all of the crews who represented the AHSSA at this important regatta.

While more than a hundred boats were entered, there were the usual stand outs, apart from the skiffs. The three 12 metre yachts (Gretel II, Australia I and Steak and Kidney) made a great picture on the river, as did the manygaff rigged and wooden yachts.

The boats were met with a 12 knot ENE which came in around midday, with some gusts reaching 14 knots.

Britannia led The Scot gracefully around the course and set her spinnaker on the last leg to cross theline first, after being in close company all day.

The tens had a slightly longer break in their handicaps withKeriki off 15 minutes, Merle off 8 minutes and Wreckeroff 5 minutes.

Wrecker quickly rounded up Merle and so began a closerun race, which took all afternoon to sort out. Keriki,which led off, unfortunately took the “scenic route” aroundCockatoo Island, and rejoined the race in third position.This saw Merle and Wrecker vying for the lead up thework to Goat Island. Rounding Longnose Point, Merlemade his move and broke through to lead Wrecker aroundthe mark.

Heading over to Hunter's Hill, Merle elected to 2-sail up the leg while Wrecker gained height and set a nice flat kite to take the lead, rounding just in front of Merle. A comeback was on the cards on the work up to Ball's Head, but Wrecker just held on.

Once round they set their kite and headed for the finish line, followed over just 59 seconds later by Merle. Keriki had meanwhile made Goat Island where their new for'ard hand set his first spinnaker on the boat and headed off to Hunter's Hill. From here they elected to head home in the dying breeze and were given a RAF (Retired After Finishing).

The tens all headed for home, without assistance, all very pleased with their afternoon. Keriki was happy with their first shakedown for the coming season, Merle excitedly happy with their new Ron Johnston mast and Jack

Hamilton number 1 rig and Wrecker happy with settling into sailing again in the new season with a good result from a very good crew and number 2 rig.

Congratulations to all crews for taking part in this special day, where official guests of BSC were treated to on-water viewing of the race from the deck of the “Boomerang”, flagship of the Regatta.

The AHSSA would like to thank the Sydney Flying Squadron for supplying the “Killara II” as support boat for the H18s and the Drummoyne Sailing Club for supplying the “Ian Stuart” as support boat for the H10 skiffs. Your contributions are much appreciated.

And what was the Balmain Regatta like 101 years ago? Read about it on Pages 3 & 4

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Britannia leads The Scot to Goat Island

Merle heads to Goat Island

Wrecker crosses the finish line

Balmain RegattaIdeal Sailing Day ― No Suitable Flagship

(Sydney Morning Herald – Tuesday, October 8, 1912)Several counter-attractions served to militate against a large attendance on the occasion of the Balmain Regatta yesterday. From a weather point of view, things could hardly have been more favourable, both for rowing and sailing, but the calls of the Eight-Hours procession, the Spring races, a full day's cricket, and the absence of a flagship kept many away. However, there was a goodly muster of spectators, taking all things into consideration, and the keen finishes in the rowing races aroused great enthusiasm among the gathering on White Horse Point.

The morning programme was almost entirely made up of rowing events, and the weather was ideal. A mild breeze from the north-west tempered the heat, but the course was as smooth as glass, and after luncheon, when the competitors under canvas came into the picture, the breeze strengthened, to the delight of the sailing men. This was Balmain's 63rd annual regatta, and for the first time for several seasons the committee had no flagship suitable for the occasion on which to receive the hundreds of visitors who annually attend the historic event. Arrangements had been made with the Union Steamship Company for the use of the Waitemata, an 8000-ton vessel, but on Friday the company had to withdraw, because, under the newest award, it would have been necessary for them to pay the crew double rate of wages for working on a holiday. The committee, greatly disappointed, tried hard to secure a suitable vessel as flagship, but failed, and in the circumstances had to fall back upon a Balmain ferry steamer, the Lady Rawson.

It is interesting to note that the first flagship used, in 1849, when the regatta began, was the Signal Rose, a trader plying between Sydney and Newcastle. Big attendances were not at that time customary at regattas at Balmain, and as late as 1892, when the committee, owing to a shortage of funds, deleted the rowing races from their programme, there were only 30 people on the flagship. The tide turned that year, however, and large gatherings have been the rule rather than the exception ever since. No doubt, the committee will now consider the advisability of changing the date of the regatta. Up till the time of King Edward's death the event was held on his birthday, November 9th, but afterwards the date was altered. Eight-Hours day, however, offers too many other “plums” in the way of amusement, not to mention the fact that many strong trade unionists are precluded from competing on account of the processions.

Owing to the scarcity of entries last year the motor boat races were not held this year.

Extra sails were used in the skiffs for the first time.

The Luncheon.The president, Ald. George Clubb, Mayor of Balmain, presided at the luncheon, which was held in the clubhouse of the Balmain Rowing Club, owing to there not being sufficient room aboard the flagship.

Mr A.W. Sommerville, one of the judges, proposing “success to the Balmain Regatta” said that it was the

first time in the history of the regatta that the official luncheon had not been held aboard the flagship. Still, thecommittee was not downhearted at the disappointment they had suffered, and would work even harder for the future success of the regatta. (Applause.) Every possible effort was made to secure a flagship suitable for the occasion.

Three cheers were given for the continued success of the regatta.

Mr N.J. McDonald, chairman of committees, responding,said the committee appreciated the generous action of theBalmain Rowing Club in lending them their clubhouse. Some of the most famous races in aquatic history had been rowed in connection with the Balmain Regatta, and he felt sure the absence that day of a flagship would not tend to diminish the efforts of its promoters for future success. (Hear, hear.)

Ald. Thornton proposed “The Visitors”. Mr T.S. Donald spoke for the sailing clubs, and Mr. J. Scott for the rowing clubs.

Sailing EventsThe breeze was very light and shifty in the morning, but came mostly from the north-west. After noon, however, it veered round, and blew a spanking nor'-easter. It was a glorious breeze for the afternoon contests. And, althoughthe majority of boats sported second sails, there were a number of capsizes and mishap, and in several of the races only a few of the contestants finished.

The skiffs, as usual, made a good showing. A resume of the racing is as follows:-

Morning races:Dinghies 6 ft: Handicap. Course: From Greenwich, round flagship, thence round buoy off Woolwich Dock, and finish between flagship and gunboat. First prize £1/10, second £1/1, third trophy by Mr J. Donaldson.

Thelma (H. Collins) scr. 1Novice (T. Ellis) 2½m 2Livonia (A. Appleton) ½m 3

Other entries: Queenie (N. Stevens), 1½m; Edna (R. Collins), 1m; Nimrod (H. Freeman) ¼m; Gwen (F. Drysdale) scr.

Thelma gradually made her way to the front in the light air, and secured an easy win, but it was a closer thing for second, as the following times at the finish show:-

(Continued Page 4)

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Thelma, 1h 9min 5secs; Novice, 1h 10min 31s; Livonia, 1h 10m 34s; Nimrod, 1h 24m 20s.

Dinghies 10ft. Course: From Greenwich, round flagship off White Horse Point, Goat Island, flag markoff Whitehorse Point, Goat Island and back to flagship. First prize £2/10, second £1/1, and third trophy by Mr W.H. May.

Myra (P. Harry), scr 1Waratah (R. Keddie), scr 2Australia (B. Smith) 1m 3

Other entries: Estelle (O. Golding) 3½m; Wheatear (G. Drysdale) 1½m; Native (L. Blake) 1m; Cornstalk (F. Pethebridge) ½m.In the light breeze the handicap boats found the scratch boats Waratah and Myra up amongst them early, and Myra eventually won by 34s;the final times being Myra 1h 53m 31s; Waratah, 1h 54m 4s; Australia, 1h 54m 30s; Wheatear, 1h 54m 42s.

All Boats, 18 ft, best and best, handicaps at start. Course: same as 10ft dinghies. First prize £9, second £4, third £2, fourth £1.

Kismet (W. Dunn), scr 1Advance (H.E. Thompson), 4m 2Zena (J.M. Firth), 2m 3Eunice (G.H. Perry), 4m 4

The others were:- Donnelly I (G. Holmes), 1¼m; Hero(W.J. Duncan), 1¼m; Golding (T. Shirley) 1m; Nimrod (W. Keddie), scr; Australian (C. Webb), scr.

Eunice and Advance appeared to have matters all their own way; but after leading back to Longnose Point the last time, they were left in the doldrums, and Kismet, carrying the breeze with her,went to the front and won by 25s from Advance, which was followed by Zena. Crossing the finish line the times were:- Kismet 1h 53m 32s; Advance, 1h 53m 57s; Zena, 1h 54m 43s;Eunice, 1h 54m 43s; Nimrod, 1h 54m 52s; Goldingwas next, followed by Hero.

Afternoon RacesDinghies 10ft; handicaps at start. Course: same as morning race. First prize £2/10, second prize £1/10, third trophy.

Myra (P. Harry), scr 1Cornstalk (F. Pethebridge), 1½m 2

Other entries:- Estelle (J. McDonald), 4½m; Millie (A.Anderson), 4m; Wheatear (G. Drysdale), 2½m; Australia (P. Giles), 2m; Native (L. Blake), 2m; Waratah (J. Dorn), ¼m.

As in the morning race, Myra proved too good for her opponents and secured her second win of the day. The finishing times were:- Myra, 1h 50m 42s; Cornstalk 1h 52m 6s. These were the only two to finish.

All Boats 18ft, best and best: handicaps at start. Course: From Greenwich, round flagmark off White Horse Point, round Fort Denison, back round flagmark off White Horse Point, round Goat Island, and finish at flagship. First prize £8, second £4, third £2.

Kismet (W. Dunn), 1m behind scr 1Hero (W.J. Duncan), 1¾m 2Zena (J.M. Firth), 2½m 3Donnelly I (G. Holmes), 2m 4

Other entries:- Advance (H.E. Thompson), 4½m; Eunice (G.H. Perry), 5m; Golding (T. Shirley), 1m; Desdemona (A.C. Roberts), ½m; Nimrod (W. Keddie),scr; Australian (C. Webb), scr.

In this race Kismet again showed her superiority by working through her opponents, and repeating her performance in the morning race for her class. She wonby no less than 2m 18s, the times crossing the line being:- Kismet, 2min 18secs; Hero, 4min 20secs; Zena,6min 10secs; Donnelly, 7min 22sec.

Ian Souter (25th November, 1951 – 23rd October, 2013)

The AHSSA would like to express its sympathy andcondolences to the family and friends of Ian Souter, who passedaway after a long struggle with cancer.

He was a valued friend of many in both the sailing fraternity aswell as the Scotland Island community, where his work as asurveyor, and his friendship, was a most valuable asset.

Apart from his own sailing success in 18 and 12 foot skiffs hewas always heavily involved with the future of sailing – heactively supported Junior sailing at a variety of clubs.

Ian, on retiring from modern skiff sailing, took on the Historic 18ft and 10ft skiffs. Indeed, with Rob Tearne and Nellie on board Truant III, they made a great combination on the Parramatta River at Drummoyne. Many times he showed his prowess in setting spinnakers under difficult conditions.

In a mark of his strength and tenacity, he sailed the H18 Australian Championship in January. Not only that, but the skiff he crewed on won two of the three heat series. What an effort! What a man!

Sail on Ian and fair winds.

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Iain Murray, Ian Souter & Shane Corbett in 1977