Robert Mitchell
Richmond Rowing Club (VIC)
By 1870, the competition for the Grand Challenge Cup at the Melbourne Regatta was fierce and three brothers from the Richmond Rowing Club made their mark in their club’s Grand Challenge Cup crews of 1870 and 1871. They were superb competitors and winners of many of the few races on offer.
Initially four brothers raced in the 1860s but one (John) dropped out. The Mitchell brothers were the superb oarsmen of their day.
Thomas Colles wrote an essay on rowing in Victoria in 1860s which was included in John Lang's book The Victorian Oarsman and which included the following insights into Mitchell.
Who was dubbed "The Knight of the Baths Corner” on account of his grand rowing as No. 3 in the Richmond crew when they came to that testing point in a race for the Gardener Cup against the Melbourne. A strong oarsman and a good but unlucky sculler.
[Baths Corner was the last corner on the Upper Yarra before arriving at the boat sheds when heading downstream. The city baths were situated on the north bank.]
Known rowing record
1863 – Melbourne Regatta Junior Gig for youths, three – First
1863 – Melbourne Regatta Junior Gig for youths, three – First
1863 – Melbourne Regatta Maiden Gig stroke – First
1864 – Melbourne Regatta Senior Gigs for the Gardiner Cup, two - First
1869 – Melbourne Regatta Senior Gigs for the Gardiner Cup, two – First
1870 – Melbourne Regatta Senior Gigs for the Gardiner Cup, two – First
1870 – Melbourne Regatta Grand Challenge Cup, three – First
1871 – Melbourne Regatta Grand Challenge Cup, thee – First
1870 & 1871 Grand Challenge Cup Crew
Left to right: James Mitchell, Robert Mitchell, R Whitehead (cox), Henry Mitchell, Joseph Hood
Andrew Guerin
2015