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Twelfth Anniversary Regatta, to commemorate the anniversary of Tasman's discovery of this Island in 1645
Twelfth Anniversary Regatta, to commemorate the anniversary of Tasman's discovery of this Island in 1645

Twelfth Anniversary Regatta, to commemorate the anniversary of Tasman's discovery of this Island in 1645

Date1849
Object number00028336
NameSilk program
MediumSilk
DimensionsOverall: 510 x 215 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis silk program commemorates the discovery of the island of Tasmania in 1645 and was printed for the 12th Anniversary Regatta in Hobart. It details the events, including the Sculler's Amateur Challenge, amateur gigs, River Watermen, Native Youths' Race, the Tasman prize, sailing boats, river craft boats, second class sailing boats, barges and the fishermen's race.HistoryRegattas were central to competitive boating in the 19th century and functioned as a social and sporting event, as well as a marker of official anniversaries in a public aquatic spectacle. Civic leaders, politicians and merchants offered patronage and sponsorship. This regattas often featured several races, including rowing, sculling and sailing events usually for professional watermen and amateurs. The Hobart Regatta was inaugurated in 1838, a year after the Sydney event to demonstrate the unity and patronage of civil and military elites, and to improve the colony's image which was clouded by its convict past.SignificanceThis silk program is representative of colonial regattas held in Tasmania during the first half of the 19th century. Regattas offered spectators and participants a combination of social and sporting activities and were held to mark important civic events and anniversaries.