Port Jackson 18ft sailing championship Empire Speedway Cup, won by J. Robinson's BRITANNIA 1938

Date1938

Object number00001730

NameTrophy

MediumEPNS electro-plated nickle silver, plastic (bakelite).

DimensionsOverall: 355 x 215 x 140 mm, 0.5 kg

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Faye Magner

Terms

DescriptionThe Empire Speedway Cup won by 'Wee' George Robinson in BRITANNIA in 1938. BRITANNIA was designed, built and skippered by Robinson and raced from 1919 until 1945, winning 16 championships and had 27 second places.HistoryThe 18-footer skiffs are designed to reach extreme speeds and provide an exciting and attractive sport for spectators to watch. This was the aim of the vessels when they were first designed in the late 19th century. The origins of the sport are attributed to Mark Foy and a group of businessmen who were the founding members of the Sydney Flying Yacht Squadron, reported to have been established on 19 October 1891 in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. The club advocated for sailing to be open to all types of vessels and sailors. Their first competitive race is believed to have been held on Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1892. The 18-ft skiff BRITANNIA was designed and built in Balmain in 1919 by skipper George Robinson, known as 'Wee Georgie'. The boat and its skipper were very prominent in the 18 foot skiff class between the two world wars and won many races.SignificanceIn 1914, Robinson built his first boat, BRITANNIA. Five years later, he built the 18-foot skiff of the same name. To this day, the 18-foot BRITANNIA remains one of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s most treasured objects. This trophy is one of the many that were awarded to Robinson and his crew and represents the achievements of one of the most famous 18-foot racing skiffs in Australian skiff sailing history.