1895 Rowing Victoria State Championships
The win by Mercantile in the Champion Fours was the first of so many Championship for that club.
It was also the time when the river improvements of the Upper Yarra were well under way. The river was straightened which made navigation and rowing far easier.
The river improvements of 1890s showing both the old and new courses
The river improvements under construction
Index to Results:
Champion Men's Scull
(3 miles)
Time: 28:36.5
1st Edward Powell, Albert Park
2nd G Browne, Essendon
3rd W J Hambleton, Civil Service
Champion Men's Four
(Distance - Not recorded)
Time: 17:22
1st Mercantile – Bow: R Ernie Dawson, 2: Alex B Sloan, 3: Harold Lindgren, Str: W H T (Herb) Davis, Cox: Victor Jones, Cch: Syd Edwards
2nd Albert Park
3rd Wendouree
Champion Four from Mercantile
In the coxswain seat is coach Syd Edwards and Club Captain Frank Gibbs in the scull. The picture was taken in Brickmakers Swamp behind the current boatsheds.
This crew with one change, Charles Donald in and Herb Davis out (retired), won the Intercolonial Four Oared Championship in 1896.
Champion Men's Eight
(Distance - Not recorded)
Time: 17:32
1st Yarra Yarra – Bow: James McDonald, 2: Edward Horsburgh, 3: James Lockington, 4: H A Hearn, 5: D Hancock, 6: D Ross, 7: Alex Chamley, Str: Arthur H Enticott, Cox: G F M Horsburgh
2nd Banks
Yarra Yarra Champion Eight
Back row: James McDonald, D Horsburgh, James Lockington
Seated: H Hearn, Arthur Enticott, Alex Chamley, D Ross
In front: D Hancock, G Horsburgh, Edward Horsburgh
Sources
The Victorian Oarsman with a Rowing Register, by John Lang, published by A H Massina and Company 1919.
Champion Four photograph from Mercantile Rowing Club