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Start of the Champion 22-footers Race at the Intercolonial Sailing Carnival, Sydney Harbour
Start of the Champion 22-footers Race at the Intercolonial Sailing Carnival, Sydney Harbour

Start of the Champion 22-footers Race at the Intercolonial Sailing Carnival, Sydney Harbour

Photographer
Date21 January 1899
Object number00013854
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
DimensionsOverall: 164 x 251 mm, 1 mm, 0.15 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Transfer from the Mitchell Library
DescriptionThis was the Championship race for the 22-footers in the Intercolonial Challenge of 1899, the last one held. Contemporary reports reveal that the light breeze evident here died completely just after the start and the race was abandoned, and held later in the week. There were 9 boats in the fleet, 8 of which can be seen here, and we can identify STANLEY (Queensland) with diamond insignia second from left, VIGILANT (NSW) with P&O flag, EFFIE (NSW)with dark crescent, and WONGA (NSW) with cross in circle. The start was on the Farm Cove side of Fort Denison, and the city can be seen in the background (IS). HistoryThe champion 22-footers race held on Saturday 21 January 1899 was the principal event of the Intercolonial Sailing Carnival and organised by the Johnstone's Bay Sailing Club. The course began near Fort Denison, moved up around the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron buoy at Manly, around Shark Island and then finished back at the starting line. The four Queensland entries were ETTIE, CANEEBIE, VICTORIA and STANLEY while the New South Wales vessels consisted of KERIKI, PLOVER, EFFIE, VIGILANT and WONGA. EFFIE was the reigning champion, however the event was cancelled mid-race due to a lack of breeze.SignificanceThe Hall photographic collection provides an important pictorial record of recreational boating in Sydney Harbour from the 1890s to the 1930s. The collection documents the lively sailing scene in Sydney during this period and features images of vessels ranging from large racing and cruising yachts to the great array of skiffs and the emerging technologies of motorboats. Images of the many spectators and crowds who supported and followed the sailing races are also included in this visual record.