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History of the Queensland GPS Head of the River rowing regatta

1947 QLD GPS Head of the River

The 1947 Head of the River was conducted on Saturday 3rd May 1947 on the Toowong Reach of the Brisbane River. 

Whilst the First Church of England Grammar School crew had demonstrated excellent for in open regattas throughout the season, Brisbane Boys' College attained their fourth successive win as well as another 'clean sweep'. Experience was on their side with the boat's stroke, N. Wilson having stroked the seconds to victory in 1946.

Brisbane Grammar School had a strong preparation for the event, heavily practising sharp racing starts and The Southport School, at 12 1/4 stone, was the heaviest crew.

The Sons of the Mactaggart family established a fine Churchie Rowing family tradition when all three were Captains of Rowing - John Mactaggart 1939, Peter McTaggart in 1943 and Dougald McTaggart in 1947. 

According to the Sunday Mail:

"A crowd of more than four thousand thronged the banks of the river, and braved a strong wind to cheer B.B.C. to victory. The wind made the water choppy and conditions difficult for rowing. The conditions made the race a battle of tactics, and the B.B.C. cox, J. Cameron, showed excellent judgement in manoeuvring his boat.” 



"Brisbane Boys' College had a rowing red letter today. In addition to winning the Head of the River, second and third crews also crossed the finishing line in pride of place."

Page 4, The Telegraph, 3 May 1947

 

Organising Committee 

Great Public Schools Association 


All Schools' Championship Four

The O'Connor Cup

Distance: 1 Mile

Winning Time: 4:17.00

Margins:

1.5 Lengths (1-2)

4 Lengths (2-3)

0.5 Length (3-4)

1st Brisbane Boys’ College - Bow: A. C. Wood 10st 4lb, 2: K. J. Mann 11st 2lbs, 3: B. H. Newell 11st 7lbs, Str: N. D. Wilson 10st 10lbs, Cox: J. Cameron 7st 2lbs, Coaches: Mr. E. R. Whelan 

2nd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: C. S. Brett 10st 8lbs, 2: E. R. Elson 10st 9lbs, 3: G. J. G. Wilson 10st 9lbs, Str: D. G. McTaggart 11st, Cox: J. M. Sherry 7st, Coach: M. A. Mattingley & Dr. F. W. Whitehouse

3rd The Southport School - Bow: J. W. Dowling 11st 3lbs, 2: V. A. Blanchard 13st 6lbs, 3: N. N. Ferrier 13st 2lbs, Str: R. W. Betts 11st 4lbs, Cox: T. J. Stanfield 7st 4lbs, Coach: Mr. T. W. Erskine

4th Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: G. F. Shirras 10st 4lbs, 2: G. W. McCann 11st 1lb, 3: R. A. Dore 10st 12lbs, Str: P. J. Grenning 11st 1lb, Cox: D. Balmer 7st 7lbs, Coach: L. C. Loxton 

Winning Crew: Brisbane Boys' College

1947 Church of England Grammar School First IV


The Anglican Church Grammar School 1947 Bow Seat, C. S. Brett, represented Queensland in the 1950 & 1952 King's Cup.


The Race Described

"Conditions for May 3rd were bad. The water was choppy and a strong cross-wind was blowing. The crews near the south bank were thus favoured by slightly smoother conditions than those near the north bank. Churchie and B.B.C. both got away to excellent starts.

Churchie being a little more than a canvas in the lead at the end of the first twenty strokes. T.S.S. and Grammar were a little further back. Churchie rating several points higher than [B.B.C.'s], had increased their lead to nearly half a length at the quarter mile.

At this point [Churchie] had the misfortune to catch a crab and though they recovered well, they dropped back over two lengths. Credit must go to [B.B.C.'s] cox, who seized the opportunity to call for a hard dozen from [B.B.C.'s] crew. Grammar and T.S.S were now dropping behind, though T.S.S. was rowing very well. Churchie was making a really gallant effort to make up the leeway and was actually reducing [the deficit]. 

[B.B.C.'s] crew rowed throughout with a powerful drive, a good run and clean blade work and had no difficulty in maintaining their lead. They did not seem to be extended at any time after the quarter mile nor had they any good reason to be so. Nevertheless, Churchie finished with a really courageous sprint, only a length and a half behind. 

If the race had been free from mishap, the finish would have been very close indeed and no one can say who would have won."

Page 50, 52, The Portal, December 1946 Edition via Trove


All Schools Second Four

Distance: 0.75 Mile

Winning Time: 4:13.00

Margins:

Dead Heat for 1st

3 Lengths (1-3)

3 lengths (3-4)

1st Brisbane Boys’ College - Bow: B. Smith, 2: A. Burnett, 3: H. J. Smith, Str: K. C. Duncombe, Cox: N. L. Geldard

1st Church of England Grammar School - Bow: E. F. Henzell, 2: J. M. Benjamin, 3: J. T. Underwood, Str: R. W. H. Bailey, Cox: R. H. McInnes, Coach: M. A. Mattingley 

3rd The Southport School - Bow: A. K. Gill, 2: D. Ogg, 3: E. Aboud, Str: J. P. Elliot, Cox: V. R. Sparks

4th Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: N. Brown, 2: K. Hirschfeld, 3: L. Stevens, Str: T. Cliff, Cox: R. White 

Brisbane Boys' College Second & Third Crews


The Race Described

"Although B.B.C. had the distinct disadvantage of a very bad swell on the north side of the river, most of the crews got away to a good start. At the end of the first hard dozen, B.B.C. and C.E.G.S. were still battling for the lead, while T.S.S. and B.G.S. were about one length behind. B.B.C. was rating at about 30, while C.E.G.S. was rating much higher at about 36. For the next quarter mile, C.E.G.S. led from B.B.C. by about one length.

At the half-way, B.B.C. put in a hard dozen, which reduced the lead which C.E.G.S. had at this stage quite considerably. During the last quarter mile, C.E.G.S. continued to lead from B.B.C. by about three-quarters of a length.

As the crews approached the finishing line, with only about fifty yards to go, cox called for the final finishing sprint and as a result of this, B.B.C. rapidly overhauled C.E.G.S. and came up to cross the line in a dead heat with C.E.G.S., the third position was filled by T.S.S. and the fourth by B.G.S.

Considering the rough water with which the crews had to contend, the time for this race was very good, being only three seconds outside the official record for the seconds race."

Page 52, The Portal, December 1946 Edition via Trove 


All Schools' Third Four

Distance: 0.75 Mile

Winning Time: 4:12.00

Margins:

1.25 Lengths (1-2)

1 Canvas (2-3)

0.75 Length (3-4)

1st Brisbane Boys’ College III - Bow: J. Wedemeyer, 2: K. Horne, 3: T. E. Hambling, Str: R. W. Kellaway, Cox: V. R. Day

2nd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: C. Burke, 2: A. D. Neilsen, 3: R. J. Humphries, Str: K. Cobon, Cox: R. Bourne, Coach: Mr Robertson

3rd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: G. Flint, 2: M. McLean, 3: C. Miller, Str: N. Lockyer, Cox: A. Fleming, Coach: Mr Robertson 

4th Brisbane Boys’ College

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