1931 SATIS Head of the River
Saturday, March 28 - Derwent River:
(1931 was the first year that a Second Four raced at the Tasmanian Head of the River)
First Four:
The 1931 Head of the River was raced a month earlier than previous years. It was raced on the Derwent River over a mile, starting at Government House Point. 5 crews raced the 1931 regatta, with St. Virgil’s College racing at the Head of the River for the first time since 1921:
- Clemes College,
- Friends’ High School,
- Hutchins School,
- Launceston Church Grammar School, and
- St. Virgil’s College
The Mercury reported that the conditions were poor due to a strong current and a north-westerly wind providing choppy water. Clemes College crossed the line first to win the regatta as they did in 1929 on the Derwent. However, there was some confusion between the officials and the schools in regards to the finishing buoy. The competing schools decided that the crews could finish on either side of the buoys, but the umpires were unaware of this decision and thus there was a delay in the official result. Nonetheless, Clemes had won the Golden Fleece Cup by half-a-canvas over Friends’ High School.
Second Four:
The 1931 Head of the River saw the introduction of a Second Crews (Junior) race. The Advocate accounted that the inaugural race was a shortened ¾ mile course and involved 3 crews:
- Hutchins School,
- Launceston Church Grammar School, and
- St. Virgil’s College
This proved to be an entertaining race, with Hutchins winning by half-a-canvas.
First Four:
A detailed report from The Mercury via Hutchins School Magazine of the First Four race is below:
“The crews got away to an excellent start. Friends were the first to show out, followed by Clemes, Hutchins, Grammar, and St. Virgil’s in close attendance. Nearing Government House Point Clemes crossed behind Friends, taking a course well out in mid-stream in order to get the benefit of the strong current. Shortly after Clemes took the lead, and at the half mile were leading Friends by a length, with Hutchins and Grammar almost together a couple of lengths further back, and St. Virgil's another length away last. Clemes continued on their course well on the angle, but the judges official placing, after the misunderstanding concerning the buoy had been cleared up, was that Clemes finished half a canvas ahead of Friends. Grammar were one and a half lengths back in third position, and Hutchins finished two lengths behind the Northern boys. St. Virgil's were four lengths further back, last.”
Winners of the 1931 Golden Fleece Cup for First Fours - Clemes College
(Source: The Mercury, 30 March 1931)
Second Four:
The Advocate provided the following report for the historic second crews’ race:
“The second crews of these schools competed in an interesting race over three-quarters of a mile, the start being below Government House Point. St. Virgil's took the lead from the start, and when half the course had been covered still held a slight advantage. A little later, however, Hutchins and Grammar crews passed them, and in a great finish Hutchins won by half a canvas from Grammar, with St. Virgil's a length further back.”
Organising Committee:
Tasmanian Rowing Association
Officials:
Starter: Mr. J. H. Sharp
Umpire: Mr. F. Coverdale
Judge: Mr. E. Sorell
First Four
Golden Fleece Cup
1 mile
No Time Taken
Margins: ½ canvas, 1½, 2, 4 lengths
1st Clemes College – Bow: F. Headlam, 2: R. Hardy, 3: K. Kean, Str: A. Palfreyman, Cox: D. Palfreyman
2nd Friends’ High School – Bow: K. G. Gourlay, 2: S. Wells, 3: B. B. Cox, Str: T. L. Martin, Cox: R. Wells
3rd Launceston Church Grammar – Bow: E. Parker, 2: J. Walker, 3: H. Dean, Str: D. Dugan, Cox: E. Addison
4th Hutchins School – Bow: J. Dobson, 2: C. Giblin, 3: E. Giblin, Str: D. C. McPhee, Cox: R. E. Rodway
5th St. Virgil’s College – Bow: J. Newell, 2: T. Sweeney, 3: T. Lane, Str: J. Donnelly, Cox: D. Heritage
Second Four
¾ mile
No Time Taken
Margins: ½ canvas, 1 length
1st Hutchins School – Bow: R. Hudson, 2: W. Bowerman, 3: T. Brammall, Str: R. Park, Cox: R. Cane
2nd Launceston Church Grammar – Bow: J. Lyne, 2: A. McIntyre, 3: C. J. Sankey, Str: W. Curtis, Cox: D. Gee
3rd St. Virgil’s College – Bow: A. Rapp, 2: R. Cosgrove, 3: R. Gilbert, Str: T. Connor, Cox: J. Aitken
Sources
CLEMES GAIN VICTORY IN HEAD-OF-THE-RIVER RACE. (1931, 30 March), The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.: 1860 – 1954), p. 8, Retrieved 10 May 2020, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/29902795
Hutchins School Magazine, June 1931
SCHOOL ROWING. (1931, 30 April), Advocate (Burnie, Tas.: 1860 – 1954), p. 4, Retrieved 10 May 2020, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67710041