The Intercolonial Gig Race. The Start. The Finish.

Rare c.19th hand coloured engraving of the Men’s Intercolonial Four Championship held 29 Mar 1873, Lower Yarra, over a distance of approximately 4 miles, time: 25.30, margins: 4 and 3 length. This race is generally recognised as the first “official” Intercolonial match.”

Victoria secured the first win another non-club four (Melbourne, Melbourne University and Warehousemen). The other crews in the race were club crews, comprising two from Ballarat, a Sydney Rowing Club crew, and crews from Hobart Town and Geelong.

1st Melbourne Rowing Club – Bow: Thomas C. Colles, John Arthur, W. M. Orr, John Cazal with Cox: Walter M Greenland, Coach: P Burke
2nd Ballarat City Rowing Club – Bow: John Stout, 2: John Cazaly, 3: William Crampton, Str: W Giles, Cox: Thomas Finks
3rd Sydney RC – Bow: Charles Deloitte, 2: John Blaxland, 3: Robert Clark, Str: Arthur Fitzhardinge, Cox: L McKay, Emerg: John E Myers, Cch: James Candish
4th Ballarat RC – Bow: H Pascoe, 2: J Eddington, 3: L Kickem, Str: E Willimas, Cox: Sidney Edwards, Cch: Robert Edwards
5th Barwon RC – Bow: E Nicholls, 2: John Arthur, 3: T W Chapman, Str: Charles Shannon, Cox: G Blunt
6th Derwent RC – Bow: G B Penny, 2: H E Best, 3: C W Gaylor, Str: J S Dodds, Cox: A Humphries

From the original edition of The Australasian Sketcher.

National Library Australia: Bib ID 914558
State Library New South Wales: REF1/MAV/FM4/9236-9239
State Library Victoria: PCINF AS 06-09-73 P.104