John B Wilson
Rutherglen (VIC)
John Bell Wilson
John came to Rutherglen in the 1850's after jumping the ill fated ship "The Madagascar" to end up at the Eureka stockade and then ended up working and living on the Lancashire Lead Rutherglen. The Lancashire Lead is a historical deep alluvial gold lead located near Rutherglen and situated near the railway between Rutherglen and Wahgunyah. It was extensively worked in the late 19th century. His partner in the Lanarkshire claim was Hudson Hall Wilkinson who was the builder of the boat the Lady of the Lake and passed away prematurely at the age of 48 in 1876.
As a keen rower and sportsman he is noted in the history of the Murray Rowing Association as part of the crew for "Lady of the Lake", a Rutherglen owned and built boat which raced in the early 1860's. He was also noted racing successfully in the 1866 New Years Day regatta - see below.
John was also a member of the 1864 New Years Day regatta organising committee at Rutherglen. Sadly Rutherglen's boats and boatshed were destroyed on New Years Eve in a violent gale leaving the only rowable boat "Mystery". The owner of this boat entered all races and rowed over the course to take the stake monies.
Early scenes taken outside the old Rutherglen Boat Shed near Hell's Gate
John B Wilson, Stroke; Jack Briggs, Lou Jackson, Tom Nott - coxswain and other person are unknown
The report of 1866 New Years Day Regatta which mentions Wilson follows, mainly for the description of the regatta - Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855; 1857 - 1890; 1892 - 1955), Thursday 4 January 1866, page 11.
RUTHERGLEN AND WAHGUNYAH
ANNUAL REGATTA.
Monday, the first day of January, 1866 was ushered in by as fine a morning as any man could wish. By eight or nine o'clock, Rutherglen was a crowded thoroughfare for good folks bent on enjoyment, from Chiltern, Cornish Town, Beechworth, and a few from Yackandandah, on their way to the regatta sports, which bid fair to become as notable an event in the Ovens and Murray Districts, as the Intercolonial Champion Race to the districts nearer the coast. All kinds of vehicles were pressed into service (very few of them licensed). I found my way to the Lake in a spring cart, but there never was a vehicle which was so contrary to its name, and I was inclined to think there was no spring to it at all. However, we made the best we could under the disadvantageous circumstance, one lady and her crinoline taking up one half of the conveyance and six men the other. Arrived at the Lake, we found a numerous assemblage, their faces beaming happily in the expectation of a pleasurable day. Before the sports commenced, there was a very large concourse on the ground, and the booths and stalls were pretty well patronized.
In the absence of Capt. Carey, P.M. who was to officiate as Judge, Mr. Bushell consented to act, and right well he did act. On the 'make ready' gun being fired the ' reds ' and the ' whites ' were seen busily arranging their boats, and expectation was high, some little betting going on as to the result of the events. The proceedings commenced with the First Race A Pair-oared Amateur Race, heats, once round the course; prize-not less than 15/-.
Lady of the Lake — G. E. Cooper and John B. Wilson; Wm. Boyd, coxswain ... .... ... 2 1 1
Mystery — T. Leonard and James Dean, G. Foord, coxswain. ... 1 2 2
This race was generally supposed to be a gift to the Mystery from the great difference in the boats, but made more certain when she won the first heat, but the superior pulling of the crew of the Lady put her through, and brought her in winner in the second and third heats The fault lay with T. Leonard, of the Mystery, who pulled well the first heat who thought the race was a single event and his wind was gone on the first heat.
Second Race—Grand Challenge Race for four-oared gigs; heats; once round, the course. Prize 1st boat not less than 60/-; 2nd boat not less than 10/-
Moodemere — James Dean (stroke), Thomas Douglass, F. Page, J. Greaves ; Wm. Boyd, coxswain... 1
Wahgunyah — Jas.Housten(stroke), A. Hunter. Joseph Deans, F. Foord; G. Foord, coxswain . . .2
This was a really, one-sided affair; all though some heavy betting was laid, the Wahgunyah seeming to stop at every stroke, and the Moodemere sailing along at a quick steady pace; but there is no blame to the Wahgunyah crew, no men could labor harder to win, but the dif ference in the boats is so remarkable that it was with difficulty they were persuaded to run the second heat, which had a very pretty finish—the Moodemere shooting by the Wahgunyah almost at the winning post.
Third Race — Amateur four-oared race Borough Purse, heats, once round the course. Prize less than 25/-.
Moodemere — J. B. Wilson (stroke), F. Mason, Rob. Briggs, G. E. Cooper: Wm: Boyd, coxswain ... 1
Wahgunyah—E. Thomas, (stroke), Charles Connor, S. Harris, H. Davies; J. Douglass, coxswain... 2
This race, same as last, resulted in being won by the Moodemere in heats, there being as great a difference in the crews as the boats this time. Long before this the interest taken in the race had greatly fallen off, it being so one-sided, and politics and canvassing was making a good number very busy and some talked politics at the booth until they could not stand straight, and sought 'nature's restorer—sleep' until a thunder dust storm came on which scattered them all, and caused the Stewards to announce that the races would be finished next day.
On Tuesday, the two remaining events came off as follows:-----
First Race—Forced Handicap, for all boats entered during the meeting, one event, twice round the course. Prize not less that £20.
Moodemere at scratch; Wahgunyah five lengths; Lady of the Lake twelve lengths. The Wahgunyah did not put in an appearance.
Lady of the Lake — J. B. Wilson (stroke), F. Mason, R. Briggs, G. E. Cooper .... .... ....1
Moodemere — James Dean (stroke), Thomas Douglass, F. Page, J. Greaves .... ..... ..... 2
Falling to Rutherglen again.
Second Race—Consolation Stakes for all contending during the meeting, (winning crew of Grand Challenge Race to be excluded), heats, once round the course. Prize 15/-.
Lady of the Lake — R. Holman, C.Connor, Nash, and S. Smith .... 1
Moodemere — J. B. Wilson, F Mason, R. Briggs, and G. E. Cooper ... 2
It will thus be seen that the Rutherglen folks won every race, but it was more through the superiority of their boat than their men.
Ann Killeen
February 2026
1. 1866 'RUTHERGLEN AND WAHGUNYAH ANNUAL REGATTA.', Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth, Vic. : 1855; 1857 - 1890; 1892 - 1955), 4 January, p. 1. , viewed 18 Feb 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112907429