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Andrew Crawford

Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)

Andrew Crawford was an active rower pre WWI. Sadly he died young from an accident described in the following article in the Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 25 September 1909, page 25

ROWING NOTES By TINGLE.

All rowing men will join with the members of the Mercantile Club in lamenting the tragic death of Mr. Andrew Crawford, one of the best oarsmen and a very good fellow. Mr. Crawford, who was on the provedoring staff of McIlwraith, McEacharn, and Co. Proprietary, was on a voyage to Sydney by the company's new steamer Karoola, when he accidentally fell down the ship's hold and was killed. His sudden end in the midst of an active life recalls the loss of his club fellow, Albert Hoof, who was drowned a year or two ago on the Lower Yarra while rowing down to view the champion pair oar race. The Mercantile Club is to be sympathised with for the loss of a man in Mr. Crawford, who would have helped it to great achievements on the water.

The 1910 Mercantile annual report recorded that:

A profound sensation was caused throughout the Club on receipt of the news of the fatal accident which caused the death of of your late fellow member, Mr A Crawford. Mr Crawford was was on a visit to Sydney when he fell down the hold of a steamer on which he was travelling. The funeral was largely attended by his fellow club-fellows. An enlarged photograph of your late fellow-member has been hung in the sheds.

He had a great season in 1908, the season before he died.

1908 - Australian Henley, Junior Eight, five seat - First

1908 - Colac Regatta, Maiden Four, three seat - First

1908 - Footscray Regatta, Maiden Eight, seven seat - First

1908 - Paynesville Regatta, Junior Four, three seat - First

Andrew Guerin
September 2021

Sources:

AQUATICS (1909, September 25). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 25. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139686978
Mercantile Rowing Club annual report 1909-10 page 11
The Victorian Oarsman by John Lang, published by Massina & Coy 1919.

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