1909-1910 Rowing Victoria State Championships
Another record entry at these Championships, this time in the four with seven entries.
The eights race was again a splendid race with Albert Park able to come from behind to take victory. Mercantile had a bad start but settled well into a steady swing. They lead for three quarters of the race before a good finish by Albert Park.
Index to Results:
Champion Men's Scull
(2 1/2 miles)
Time: 19:32.2
1st Percy C Ivens, Mercantile
2nd A Richards, South Melbourne
3rd E Christie, Sandhurst
4th Edward Kenny, Mercantile
5th W C Harvey, Mercantile
Lower Yarra, October 9th, 1909. A good entry was received for this event, which was again won by P. C. Ivens (Mercantile) for the eighth and last time.
Champion Men's Pair
(1 mile)
Time: 6:13
Margins: 4 feet
1st Albert Park – Bow: M G Scott, Str: Charles Donald, Cox: Harry Duncan
2nd Cobram
3rd Essendon
4th Civil Service
5th South Melbourne
6th Yarra Yarra
7th Mercantile - Bow: M C Brown, Str: G Ferguson
Lower Yarra, January 15th, 1910. In this event seven crews competed, and after a very interesting race the Albert Park crew won by four feet from Cobram.
Champion Men's Four
(Distance - Not recorded)
Time: 14:22
Margins: Canvas
1st Albert Park – Bow: J Wright, 2: C H Kohn, 3: M G Scott, Str: Charles Donald, Cox: B Arnold
2nd South Melbourne
3rd Essendon
4th Mercantile - Bow: G Logan, 2: J J Fogarty, 3: M C Brown, Str: G Ferguson, Cox: C Bennett
5th Civil Service
6th Footscray City
7th Yarra Yarra
Lower Yarra, November 27th 1909. Seven crews competed in this race, constituting a record entry. After a magnificent race, the Judge could not separate Albert Park and South Melbourne, Essendon were third, Mercantile fourth, Civil Service fifth, Footscray City sixth, and Yarra Yarra seventh. Albert Park and South Melbourne rowed off on the following Saturday, December 4th, and after another excellent contest, the former crew won by a canvas. The winners, also the South Melbourne crew, are to be complimented on their fine performance.
Champion Men's Eight
(Distance - Not recorded)
Time: 15:08
1st Albert Park – Bow: J Wright, 2: Charles Donald, 3: Harold Lindgren, 4: R L Conrick, 5: F Johnson, 6: C H Kohn, 7: M G Scott, Str: James Donald, Cox: T Buchanan
2nd Mercantile - Bow: G Logan, 2: G Ferguson, 3: Edward Kenny, 4: J J Fogarty, 5: Archibald Dobbie, 6: William Potter, 7: M C Brown, Str: Stanley Guinn, Cox: C Bennett
3rd Footscray City
4th Wendouree
5th Essendon
Yarra, March 12th, 1910. For this event five entries were received. After a very fine race, the Albert Park crew were again victorious. Your committee is greatly indebted to the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners for their courtesy in permitting this race to be rowed over the course form Coode Canal to No. 8 wharf; also to the various shipping companies for their kindness in postponing the departure of several steamers until after the race. There was a fair attendance on the official steamer, though not nearly so large as your Committee desires to see at such an important event.
Sources
The Victorian Oarsman with a Rowing Register, by John Lang, published by A H Massina and Company 1919.
Victorian Rowing Association, Reports 1903 - 1944.
Ivens photo from 1910 Interstate Championships program
Mercantile Rowing Club Annual Report 1909-10