**The following are research notes that I prepared in 2009 - there is a 'Heritage Rescue' programme on Kawhia Museum screening 18 September 2016 on Choice TV**
Whaleboats were a means of transport in
early New Zealand and were also raced in regatta’s around the country.
Whaleboat teams travelled long distances to race in these events; one can only
imagine the difficulty in getting the crew to events, let alone the large
boats. One such regatta was the Auckland Regatta held on Anniversary day (as it
is today) where Thames would enter in the sailing and rowing races. One report
states “It was not until more recent years about 1884 that Thames Crews entered
for the “Whale boat events” (2) but Papers Past (1) have details
of Thames entering races as early as 1877. The 1884 date appears to relate to
the first official entry by The Hauraki Rowing Club from Thames, that formed
in 1884.THAMES BOATBUILDERS
Mr Hammond (2) names the ROBINSON brothers, who built
a 4 oared gig racing boat and raced it. Also Mr Valentine (Tine) SAVAGE,
who had a boat building business at the Hape Creek end of Fenton Street. Mr Savage
is described as “a first class craftsman, and built many boats for the local
fishing men, and racing boats.” In 1877 he built two whale boats for the New
Plymouth Club (30 foot & built to go in the surf) and one for the Waitara
Club (35 foot). The HAURAKI was a famous racing boat built by Mr Savage;
and he also “acted as steer oar in the big whaleboat race” which they won
against Waitemata. Other Whaleboats built in Thames included the OUTSIDER,
the TOTAL and the JUBILEE by Mr Val Brown & Mr Charles
May. (2)
In Thames Street
Directories, four men are listed as boat builders, their names and years are as
follows. (5)
Robert FIELDER, Boat builder, Beach Road, Thames (1878, 1880, 1883 & 1885), Horace NORGROVE,
Boat builder, Grey Street, Thames (1909), Samuel SMARDON, Boat builder,
Thames (1890) and Valentine SAVAGE, Boat builder, Thames (1883, 1885,
1887).
Papers Past has
references to two rowing clubs from Thames; The Thames Rowing Club and
the Hauraki Rowing Club. The Club that formed 1884 (2) is not named, but
should be the Hauraki Club, given they raced in a boat called HAURAKI
and the base was at Shortland Wharf. A further report in 1887 has crews from
Hauraki and Thames competing at the Auckland Regatta. (1)
There is further contradiction when the Observer Newspaper 1888 announces the
formation of the HAURAKI ROWING CLUB, earlier in the article it announces that “Thames
Rowing Club intends joining the Auckland Rowing Association. (1)
Could some of the confusion be based on amateur and professional status, or the
affiliation to the larger Association. Until clarification can be sourced it
would appear that the earlier racing events were entered under different
criteria and formal registration of the Thames and/or Hauraki Rowing Clubs
occurred in 1884/1888.
The following
paragraph is on the Rowing club (assumed to be HAURAKI ROWING CLUB) from Mr Hammond’s
notes.(2) The Club stored it’s boats in PARKERS
Stables (between Mitchell St and Shortland Wharf), later they built a rowing
shed at the western end of Shortland Wharf (with it’s own slip). The Rowing
club would hold races on Saturday afternoons (when the tide permitted) and
these included whaleboat, four oared gigs and swimming races. Sometime in the
1890’s the club bought a 4 oared gig; the coach was Mr HOSKING, crew: W HAMMOND,
Vivian MORGAN, Tom MULLINS and Jack CRAWFORD. They raced
unsuccessfully at the Ngaruawahia Regatta and an Auckland race. Mr Hammond describes one race day about 1894
when two four oared gigs were racing, got swamped by waves and required
rescuing. The crew members that day
included: WGANLEY, T FINLAYSON, W HAMMOND, J MCLEAN,
G DALTON (cox) & G RYAN, R RUNCIMAN, F MULLINS,
Tom SOMMERVILLE and Geo GORDON (cox). The same day there was a
whaleboat race between the Hauraki and the Total boats.
“The Hauraki was steered by E Gibbon, among the crew was Alf BILLING,
Harvey CURTIS, Chas LLOYD & Bob INGLIS.” (2) The
Total was steered by Tom ROLTON. The race remembered as the day
the Total crashed into the Hauraki, causing considerable damage,
which was thankfully able to be repaired.
In 1904 and 1905 the Thames teams won the championship race and Banner at the Auckland Anniversary Regattas. " In 1904 their boat was The Total (built by Val Brown)." Details in The Thaames Star 28 September 1948 (Copy at end of page). Crew members were: Dunlop T & J, Irwin, scott, and Rolton C & B.
Nationally Whaleboat
racing appears to have over the years been involved in controversy, gambling
has been suggested; for whatever reason more regatta’s moved to promote sail
events. Maybe this then led to the decline of the club’s at Thames, or could it
have been the falling population? The
Rowing club went out of existence sometime after1906 and their boats found new
homes. “Mr Fred GIBBON, on the staff of the Thames Post Office was a
keen yachtsman, and rower, and on leaving Thames became Post Master at Kawhia,
and was responsible for the coming of two Thames whaleboats to Kawhia.” (2)
The Hauraki Rowing
Club is recorded in the 1902 Cyclopedia (4). The 1900 officers were; Commodore:
Mr A M MYERS; President: Mr J M FOY; Captain: Mr T SOMERVILLE,
Secretary & Treasurer: Mr H G GILLESPIE. “It owns a large shed at
the Shortland wharf, and has a fair plant, chiefly whaleboats.” (4)
 |
| Old Thames Whaleboat Trophy |
Whaleboat racing and Thames Rowing clubs’ just another golden era in the history of the Thames.
· 1877: Thames Whaleboat DANGER won Nelson Regatta’s Champion Whaleboat race (1)
· 1884 January: Auckland Regatta, in the Champion Whaleboat race there were 6 entries, Hauraki finished 5th and Thames 6th; although Hauraki were at times looking like they could win. (1) (See Newspaper reports below)
· 1884 September: Meeting held Exchange Hotel to form a Rowing Club in Thames . Mr Val BROWN elected Secretary and 50 people wanted to be members, subs £1. (2)
· 1884 October: A new 35ft whaleboat, called the Hauraki was built and launched, in readiness for the January 1885 Auckland Regatta; thus allowing the crew time for practice. (2)
· 1885 January: Both The Hauraki & Thames Rowing Club had an entry in the Auckland Regatta Champion Whaleboat race.(1)
· 1886 January: Thames entries in the Auckland Regatta covered several events, including the the Champion Whaleboat race, the Junior Whaleboat Race and the Naval Brigades’ Cutter Race (1) (See Newspaper reports below) Hauraki were 2nd in the Champion event.
· 1888 December: Newspaper reports formation of The Hauraki Rowing Club and that Thames Rowing Club became affiliated with the Auckland Association (1)
· 1889 January: Auckland anniversary regatta “the sensation of the day was the Champion Whaleboat race between, essentially Nelson, the Waitemata Rowing Club boat and OUTSIDER from the Thames Rowing Club. This developed into a running battle of oars, oaths, and fisticuffs between the two crews with the result that the Auckland boat was disqualified. There were all sort of charges, of professionalism and corruption, but was obvious that this particular “sport” had got right out of hand. Never again would the whaleboat racing take the regatta limelight in Auckland.”(3) (See Newspaper reports below)
· 1889 January: Thames was declared the winner of the Champion Whaleboat race following Waitemata’s disqualification (1)
· 1889 March 11th: Hauraki Rowing club held series of club races (1)
· 1890’s: Whaleboat racing continued to have a place at the Auckland Regatta, then interest declined. (3)
· 1891: Hauraki Rowing Club won champion and amateur races at the Auckland and Thames Regatta’s (1)
· 1894: Winning Crew of the Champion & Amateur Whaleboat Race at the Thames Regatta were; E GIBBONS (Steer oar), A OTTER (Strike), Jas TOWHILL (No 1), H FISHER (No 2), H WOODS (No 3), P WILSON (No 4), A NEWDICK (Coach) & Jas LOUGHLIN (Captain H R C) (7) (photo above)
· 1895: Hauraki Rowing Club purchased four-oared gigs from the Star Rowing Club. (1)
· 1901: The Hauraki Rowing Club asked that Whaleboat rowing place be placed on the programme; the request was declined. (1)
· 1901 November: Report in papers that the Hauraki Rowing Club was again doing well (1)
· 1902: Hauraki Rowing Club were winners of the Whaleboat race at the Auckland anniversary Regatta held 29th January 1902. Crew: G A HUDDLESTON (Stroke), T SOMMERVILLE (Steer oar), H T A STEPHENSON (No 1), J CROSBIE (No 2), T A MULLINS (No 3, Hon Decy & Treas), D ADAMSON (No 4), A NEWDICK (Vice Captain, Coach), A A KIVELL (Captain). (7) (photo above)
· 1903 January: Hauraki Rowing Club entered three whaleboats in the Auckland Regatta. (1)
· 1903: Hauraki Rowing Club, Thames purchased a new four-oared racing clinker (1)
· 1906-1910: Thames Rowing Clubs ceased to exist
· Two Thames Whaleboats went to Kawhia in the late 1900’s. (2) There is a whaleboat at the Kawhia museum and two in a rowing shed, whether they are the original Thames boats can’t be confirmed. (6) **The Heritage Rescue programme on TV 18 September 2016 confirmed the boats were at Kawhia thanks to Mr Gibbons, but said they came from AUCKLAND!!!** Article below Thames Star 28 September 1942 states five boats went to Kawhia.
1877:
“..Nothing daunted by
their want of success last year, the Thames crew have had a new boat
built by their coxswain, Mr Savage. They pulled well last year, though
their boat, being a local production, was not up to the standard of the English
boats. If they win the race more credit will be due to them from the fact of
their having had pluck enough to build a boat to contest the race…”
Full report in: Nelson
Evening Mail, 9 January 1877(1)“The whaleboat for the Thames and Auckland crew at Nelson will go per Wellington tomorrow” Reported in multiple papers including Otago Witness Issue 1312 20/1/1877 page 14 (1)
“..directly the boats
heads were turned homeward, then the Hauraki’s crew put on a game spurt, and
passing the Thames closed up on the Manukaus and Nelsons.” “When about
half way from home it was evident, bar accidents, that the race was the
Waitemata’s, and consequently some little attention was now given to the other
competitors. The North Shore were
second, and pulling a determined stroke, Nelson came third, and they were
pulling such a race as to merit frequent and most hardy applause, and the same
may be said of the Manukaus, who came fourth. The Hauraki crew were
close upon the Manukaus, while the Thames were obviously fated to bring
up the rear.”
Full report see Nelson
Evening Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 28, 3 February 1887, page 3(1)
“Outsider
(Thames Rowing Club): W PAYNE (11st 12lbs), stroke; G FISHER
(13st 3lbs), No 4; S FISHER (14st 8lbs), No 3; A FISHER (15st 2 ½
lbs), No 2; D FISHER (12st 12lbs), No1; J A BROWN (10st 11lbs),
coxswain. Hauraki (Hauraki Rowing Club): S LAURIE (12st 8lbs),
stroke; T JOHNSTON (14st), No 4; R LAURIE (12st 8lbs), No 3; C ROLTON
(11st), No 2; C MCPIKE (11st 7lbs), No 1; V Savage, coxswain.” The
Hauraki Club also had an entry in the Junior Whaleboat Race and the Thames
Naval Brigade had an entry in the Naval Brigades’ Cutter Race. “The junior crew
is as follows: A ROE (9st 13lb), stroke; P LEITCH (11st 1lb), No
4; A KENRICK (10st 7lbs), No 3; W MORRISON (11st 4lbs), No 2; T DUNLOP
(10st 8lbs), No 1; C MAY, Cockswain.”
Full report see Observer,
30 January 1886 (1)
Hauraki 2nd
in Champion Whaleboat race, Hauraki did not start in the Junior Whaleboat and
the Naval Brigade finished 3rd.
Observer, 8 December 1888 (1)
1889:
“THE CHAMPION
WHALEBOAT RACE. Extraordinary Fracas. (By Telegraph) AUCKLAND, THIS DAY.
In the Champion
Whaleboat Race yesterday, when the foul occurred at the buoys, the Waitemata
and Thames crews excitedly seized hold of each others boats’ oars,
&c. A member of the Thames crew received a violent blow on the head
from an oar. He tried to retaliate, and a general fracas was only averted by
the approach of the third competing boat. It is expected that the race will be
awarded by the umpire to the Thames crew.”
“THE WAITEMATAS
DISQUALIFIED. AUCKLAND, THIS DAY.
In the whaleboat race
the Waitemata crew has been disqualified, and the umpire has awarded the first
prize to the Thames crew and the second to the Auckland Navals.”Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1889, page 3(1)
“LATEST FROM
THAMES. ROWING MATCH – THAMES V AUCKLAND. THAMES, last night.
The Thames
whaleboat crew, who won the Champion race at the recent Auckland Regatta, have
challenged the Waitematas to row a match in Auckland for £300 within six weeks;
or for £250 within a fortnight if the Waitemata crew will come to Thames.”Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 339, 2 February 1889, page 2(1)
OUR THAMES LETTER:
“Messrs J POLAND
and R ASHER, Captain and Secretary respectively of the Hauraki Rowing
Club, tendered their resignations at a committee meeting last night. The former
leaves for Auckland at the end of the present month, while Mr ASHER
contemplates proceeding to either Sydney or Melbourne. General regret was
expressed by members at the loss of such popular officers, and a hearty vote of
thanks was accorded them for the valuable services they have rendered to the
Hauraki Club.”Observer, 22 June 1889 (1)
Observer, Volume 9, Issue 550, 13 July 1889, page 12 (1)
1891:
OUTDOOR SPORTS.
“The Hauraki Rowing
Club has just had its annual meeting, and the balance sheet and report show the
club to be in a most flourishing condition. Mr Jas LOUGHLIN has been elected
captain and Mr T ROLTON, vice-captain. The receipts for the year amounted to
£100 12s 3d and the expenditure to £93 12s 2d leaving a cash balance in hand of
£7 0s 1d. the assets are valued at £190 18s 6d, and the club have been most
successful in rowing this year, having won the champion and amateur whaleboat
races at the Auckland Regatta. At the Thames Regatta on the 17th
March they also won the champion and amateur races.”Observer, 17 October 1891 (1)
1892:
NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR
ROWING ASSOCIATION
A meeting was held and
one of the clubs elected was “Hauraki Rowing Club, Thames”Full report in Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 50, 29 February 1892, page 4 (1)
NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR
ROWING ASSOCIATION
“The secretary was
instructed to write to the Hauraki Rowing Club with reference to the
reinstatement of the crew which won a whaleboat race in 1891.” (1)Full report in Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 50, 29 February 1892, page 4 (1)
‘The Star Boating Club
has sold the whole of its four-oared batswing gigs to the Hauraki Rowing Club,
Thames.”
Evening Post 27
April 1895 (1)Observer 19 October 1895 (1)
1901:
AQUATICS (By
Neptune)
“The Efforts made to
resuscitate the Hauraki Rowing Club have been attended with great success. The
club has obtained a new lease of life, and its prospects are now brighter than
they have ever been”Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 120, 16 November 1901, page 6 (1)
Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 154, 28 December 1901, page 7 (1)
“Hauraki Rowing Club have brought up a number of crews for to-day’s proceedings. In the whaleboat race they have entered three crews, which should be hard to beat.”
Observer, 31 January 1903 (1)
Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5529, 28 January 1885, page 2 (1)
1942 Summary of rowing
Hauraki Herald 11 November 2008, page 2 (9)
“MYSTERY TROPHY SURFACES by Mathew Grocott. (photo above)
How does a trophy discovered in Canterbury and carrying a picture of six men rowing a whale boat link back to Thames? That is the mystery the Hauraki Plains Rowing Club is trying to unravel after it was sent a silver trophy which dates back more than 100 years. The club was sent the trophy by members of the Canterbury Rowing Club which had discovered it while preparing for a prizegiving. The trophy has an engraving of five men rowing a whale boat with “Presented to Hauraki Rowing Club by W J Constant” printed on it. It is 100mm in diameter and stands 250mm high. The trophy also carries five small insignia around its base which may explain where and when it was made. Hauraki Plains Rowing Club committee member Mike Speedy has been tasked with researching the trophy. Mr Speedy said he discovered whale boat racing was once popular around the country, particularly in the Waitemata Harbour. Enquiries with organisers of the Auckland Anniversary Weekend regatta revealed that the Hauraki Rowing Club was based in Grahamstown, Thames in the latter part of the 19th century. Mr Speedy said he was keen to find out as much as he could about the trophy’s history, and if a rightful owner for the trophy cannot be found he would like to see it housed in a museum. He suspects the trophy was last competed for in the 1880’s or 90’s when it was most likely won by the Canterbury Rowing Club who found it. The one record found so far of a W J Constant is that of a bread-maker who set up shop in Auckland in 1863. A boat builder called Valentine Savage has been linked to the Hauraki Rowing Club. At the end of the 19th century Mr Savage was a famous boat builder and oarsman who built most of the club’s boats and manned the steer oar.”
NB. Concerning the above article and reference
to Mr W J CONSTANT.
Mr WILLIAM JOSEPH
CONSTANT settled in Thames during the prosperous gold mining years. Mr CONSTANT
was a publican at several hotels including the CAMDEN and THAMES Hotels during
the 1870’s to 1890’s. (8)
(2) “Whale Boats at Kawhia” by Toss Hammond c 1867. Unpublished Papers held at THE TREASURY, Queen Street, Thames
(3) “Southern Breeze, Story of yachting in New Zealand” by H Kidd, R Elliott, D Pardon. Viking 1999
(4) “Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Auckland, Volume 2” Published 1902
(5) “Street Directories” at Thames Genealogy Web-pages by Althea http://freepages.school-alumini.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~althea/index.html
(6) Kawhia Museum contact: Kawhia_museum@xtra.co.nz
(7) Thames Museum, Corner of Cochrane & Pollen Streets, Thames
(8) “Hotels of Thames” at Thames Genealogy Web-pages by Althea http://freepages.school-alumini.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~althea/index.html
(9) “Hauraki Herald” Newspaper, Sealey Street, Thames. Copy held at THE TREASURY, Queen Street, Thames
(10) Thames Star, 28 September 1942. (copy on page)