ROWING IN AUSTRALIA Rowing, as a sport, began in Tasmania about 1830, when races were held in "short" (25ft.) fixed-seat fours. A race, of historical interest only, is still held annually in similar boats. On the mainland rowing became popular in the sixties and by 188o eight-oared races between crews representing the various States had become annual fixtures. Limited at first to Tasmania, New South Wales and Vic toria, this contest is now the most important event in the oars man's almanac. Regularly attracting a crew from each State it is held alternately in the six capital cities.
Inter-university rowing originated in 1870 when a four-oared race was held between Melbourne and Sydney. It was repeated in the next year, but subsequently lapsed until 1888 when the first eight-oared race between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide took place. Omitting the war period this race has been held each year since that date. In 1893 university rowing received a great impe tus when a number of Old Blues from Oxford and Cambridge pre-. sented the magnificent "Oxford and Cambridge Cup," to be con tested for annually by the three original universities, and others which may enter later. Queensland (1920), Tasmania (1924) and Western Australia (1927), have since joined in, and like the inter state contest, the inter-university race is now between six crews and is rowed in each capital city in rotation. In the inter-state and inter-university races the crews row abreast over a three-mile course. Public school rowing flourishes chiefly in Melbourne and Sydney, where six and eight crews, respectively, race annually for the "Headship" of the river.
The great distances involved in travelling, to a large extent, kept Australia out of International contests. A Sydney Rowing club crew won the Grand at Henley-on-Thames in 1912, and was defeated in the final at the Olympic games in the same year, the Australian Army crew won the King's Cup at the Peace regatta (Henley, 1919) and this cup now constitutes the trophy for the annual inter-state race. In sculling, Australia has produced many world's champions. (G. C. D.)
The first race held in the United States was in 1811 between two barges, the "Knickerbocker" of New York and the "Invinc ible" of Long Island. The "Knickerbocker" proved to be the winner. It was from this humble start that rowing, after passing through many changes, reached its present magnitude. The interest in this race, presumably due to many side bets, was so great that it was not long before there were several rowing clubs formed in and around New York city. Finding the barge type of boat inadequate, shells were built. In 1834 a great number of these clubs amalgamated and became known as The Castle Garden Boat Club Association. The first race sponsored by this group was held at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1837 and was for "six-oared" boats. It was not long before the universities recognized the importance of rowing as a sport and in 1844 Yale purchased a "six-oar." Harvard followed suit the next spring but bought an "eight." In 1852 the first race between college crews was held on Lake Winnepesaukee, N.H. Yale entered three crews and Harvard one. This race resulted in a victory for Harvard. The next regatta, which took place in 1859, was for "six oars," Harvard again defeating Yale. The following day they both raced again and for a prize. This race was at the Worcester city regatta, and Yale turned the tables. Yale again prevailed over Harvard in 1864, but in 1866 Harvard came back and with a very fine crew won easily. Rowing at Harvard had progressed to such a degree that in 1869 she sent a challenge to Oxford and Cambridge to row a four-oared race on the Thames from Putney to Mortlake. Oxford accepted and on Aug. 27 the two crews matched blades. The thoughts of an American crew invading the sanctuary of British rowing caused much excitement, and the banks of the river were crowded with enthusiastic devotees. Harvard got away to a fine start and things began to look rather dark for the Oxonians ; however, with their fine rowing background and superior knowledge, the Dark Blues overcame Harvard's lead and finished three lengths ahead.