Royal Hobart Regatta

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Royal Hobart Regatta
HOBART REGATTA, TASMANIA - 1914.jpg
Royal Hobart Regatta in 1914
Also calledThe Regatta
Observed bySouthern Tasmania
TypeSouthern public holiday
SignificanceAustralia's largest aquatic event
CelebrationsSea farers
DateThree days, ending on the second Monday in February
2024 date10–12 February
FrequencyAnnual
First time1 December 1838
Started byGovernor of Tasmania - Sir John Franklin

The Royal Hobart Regatta is a series of aquatic competitions and displays held annually in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and is Tasmania's oldest sporting event. The regatta began in 1838. [1] [2]

Contents

The event runs for three days and incorporates a public holiday observed in Southern Tasmania on the second Monday in February. [3]

It is regularly well attended by the public in addition to local and interstate competitors.

In its beginning the Regatta was well supported by the Royal Navy. In recent years the Royal Australian Navy, sends a warship to serve as flagship for the three day spectacle. The Royal Australian Air Force, also regularly performs aerobatic displays using military aircraft such as the RAAF Roulettes. The Australian Army's elite Red Beret parachute regiment has previously provided sky diving displays.

Royal Hobart Regatta Association

Governance of the Royal Hobart Regatta is executed by an association of the same name, The Royal Hobart Regatta Association.

The Association is controlled by a board, executive and committee. The current president is Ross Doddridge.

History

On 1 December 1838, the first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta was held in Hobart to celebrate the anniversary of the 17th-century European discovery of Tasmania by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who made the first reported European sighting of the island on 24 November 1642. [4]

It was decided that an annual anniversary regatta should be held and include the wearing of a sprig of silver wattle blossom tied with British navy blue ribbon, [5] a tradition instituted by Governor of Tasmania, Sir John Franklin.

Franklin provided free food and beer for all of the spectators, and the tradition of free entry continues to this day. The Monday was declared a public holiday by the Governor and is now the oldest public holiday still continuing in Australia.

Since 1879 the regatta has been held in January or February, rather than December. The regatta of 6 February 1934 was the first to be called the Royal Hobart Regatta, the title being conferred by King George V.

Cancelled events

The Regatta continued throughout World War I and World War II.

Significant milestones

Royal visits

The Royal Hobart Regatta has played host to ten royal visits, the most notable being a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1963 when they arrived aboard HMY Britannia. In preparation for the occasion the main grandstand was extended and accommodated the royals, who stayed for lunch before departing for Sydney in the late afternoon.

Location

Originally staged at Pavilion Point, the Regatta moved in 1856, to grounds near Macquarie Point known as the "Regatta Grounds" at the Queens Domain along the western side of the River Derwent. Records indicate the move was necessitated following a quarrel with Government House concerning broken beer bottles along Macquarie.

Access to the site is along McVilly Drive.

The grounds are shared with the Hobart Cenotaph, a war memorial to Tasmanian's fallen from global conflict. The primary Regatta structure on the site is the John Colville Memorial grandstand, which pays tribute to members of the aquatic fraternity that fell in World War I. A stone tablet was laid in 1942 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Regatta.

Events

A plethora of events take place each year, and include:

There is also an Ambassador quest, and the regatta always has an official attendance ceremony by the Governor.

Trans Derwent Swim

Commencing adjacent Montagu Bay the Trans Derwent Swim sees competitors cross the Derwent River Estuary, a distance of 1.5km. In recent years a return trip has been added as an extra race.

Two Bridge Kayak Race

This paddling event sees kayakers travel from the Tasman Bridge to the Bowen Bridge before returning to the finish line at the Royal Hobart Regatta grounds. A total distance of 15km is covered.

Wood chopping

Woodchopping sees axemen from across the state compete in various events and age divisions chopping and sawing blocks and wood.

Flagships

A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships and/ or the finest, largest, or most important one of a group of things.

YearRegattaShipClassTypeRegistration
2024186 HMAS Diamantina (II) Huon Class Mine HunterM 86
2023185 HMAS Arunta (II) ANZAC Frigate DestroyerFFH-151
2022184 HMAS Hobart Hobart Class Destroyer, Guided MissileDDG-39
2021183 HMAS Hobart Hobart Class Destroyer, Guided MissileDDG-39
2020182 HMAS Sirius Fleet Replenishment VesselO 266
2019181 HMAS Choules Bay-Class LCVP Landing CraftL100
2018180 HMAS Hobart Hobart Class Destroyer, Guided MissileDDG-39
2017179 HMAS Choules Bay-Class LCVP Landing CraftL100
2016178 HMAS Stuart ANZAC Frigate DestroyerFFH-153
2015177 HMAS Sydney Adelaide Class Destroyer, Guided MissileFFG-03
2014176 HMAS Tobruk Round Table Class Landing Ship, HeavyL50
2013175 HMAS Sydney Adelaide Class Destroyer, Guided MissileFFG-03
2012174 HMAS Melville Leeuwin Class Survey VesselA 246
2011173 HMAS Parramatta ANZAC Frigate Destroyer, Guided MissileFFH 154
2010172 HMS Lady Nelson Survey Vessel
2009171 HMAS Stuart ANZAC Frigate DestroyerFFH-153
2008170 HMAS Parramatta ANZAC Frigate Destroyer154
2006168 HMAS Stuart ANZAC Frigate DestroyerFFH-153
2005167 HMAS Melbourne Adelaide Class Guided Missile FrigateFFG-05
2004166 HMAS Kanimbla Kanimbla Class Amphibous Landing PlatformL 51
2003165 HMAS Manoora Kanimbla Class Amphibous Landing PlatformL 52
2002164 HMAS Melbourne Adelaide Class Guided Missile FrigateFFG-05
2001163 HMAS Brisbane Perth Class Guided Missile DestroyerD41
2000162 HMAS Hobart Perth Class Guided Missile DestroyerD39
1999161 HMAS Perth Perth Class Guided Missile DestroyerD38
1998160 HMAS Torrens River Class DestroyerDE-53
1997159 HMAS Torrens River Class DestroyerDE-53
1996158 HMAS Torrens

HMAS Swan

River ClassRiver Class DestroyersDE-53

DE-50

1995157 HMAS Torrens

HMAS Hobart

River Class Perth Class Destroyer

Destroyer, Guided Missile

DE-53

D39

1994156 HMAS Newcastle ANZAC Frigate DestroyerFFG-06
1993155 HMAS Ardent Attack Class Patrol BoatP87
1992154 HMAS Jervis Bay Cargo FerryGT-203
1991153 HMAS Jervis Bay Cargo FerryGT-203
1990152 HMAS Perth Perth Class Guided Missile DestroyerD38
1989151 HMAS Jervis Bay Cargo FerryGT-203
1988150 HMAS Stalwart Maintenance ShipD-215
1987149 HMAS Hobart Perth Class Guided Missile DestroyerD39
1986 HMAS Hobart

HMAS Canberra HMAS Darwin

Perth Class Adelaide ClassAdelaide Class Destroyer, Guided Missile

Destroyer, Guided Missile

Destroyer, Guided Missile

D39

FFG-04

FFG-02

1985147 HMAS Jervis Bay Cargo FerryGT-203
1984146 HMAS Hobart Perth Class Guided Missile DestroyerD39
1983145 HMAS Jervis Bay Cargo FerryGT-203
1982144 HMAS Torrens River Class DestroyerDE53
1981143 HMAS Swan River Class DestroyersDE50
1980142 HMAS Stalwart Maintenance ShipD215
1979141 HMAS Swan River Class DestroyerDE-50
1978140 HMAS Stalwart Maintenance ShipD215
1977139 HMAS Duchess Daring Class DestroyerD154
1976138 HMAS Duchess Daring Class DestroyerD154
1975137 HMAS Duchess Daring Class DestroyerD154
1974136 HMAS Swan River Class DestroyerDE-50
1973135 HMAS ANZAC Battle Class DestroyerD59
1972134 HMAS ANZAC Battle Class DestroyerD59
1971133 HMAS Sydney (III) Majestic Class Aircraft CarrierR17
1970132 HMAS Stalwart Maintenance ShipD215
1969131 HMAS Paramatta River Class DestroyerDE46
1968130 HMAS Vendetta Daring Class DestroyerD08
1967129 - Cancelled HMAS Derwent River Class DestroyerDE49
1966128 HMAS Paramatta River Class DestroyerDE46
1965127 HMAS Sydney (III) Majestic Class Aircraft CarrierR17
1964126 HMAS Gascoyne River Class DestroyerK354
1963125 HMAS Quickmatch River Class DestroyerG92
1962124 HMAS Voyager Daring Class DestroyerD04
1961123 HMAS Swan River Class DestroyerDE-50
1960122 HMS St Brides Bay Bay Class Anti Aircraft FrigateK600
1959121 HMS Cossack C Class DestroyerR57
1958120 USS Blue Allen M. Sumner Class DestroyerDD-774
1957119 HMAS Sydney (III) Majestic Class Aircraft CarrierR17
1956118 HMAS Arunta Tribal Class DestroyerI30
1955117 HMAS Arunta Tribal Class DestroyerI30
1954116 HMAS Quadrant Q Class DestroyerG67/D17
1953115 HMAS Sydney Majestic Class Aircraft CarrierR17
1952114 HMAS Condamine River Class DestroyerK698
1951113 HMAS Latrobe Bathurst Class CorvetteJ234/M234
1950112 HMAS Bataan Tribal Class DestroyerI91
1949111 HMAS Australia County Class Heavy CruiserD84
1948110 HMAS Australia County Class Heavy CruiserD84
1947109 HMAS Quickmatch River Class DestroyerG92
1946108 HMS Bermuda Fiji Class Cruiser52
1945107S.S Marosa
1944106HMAS - HDML 1321Harbour DefenceMotor Launch1327
1943105Sch. Abel Tasman
1942104Sch. Kermandie
1941103Sch. Alma Doepel
1940102S.S Talune
1939101 HMAS Hobart Leander Class Light CruiserD63
1938100 HMAS Canberra (I) Country Class Heavy CruiserD33
193799 HMAS Canberra (I) Country Class Heavy CruiserD33
193698Ketch Eva Leeta
193597Ketch Eva Leeta
193496Sch. Alma Doepel
193395H.M.A.S. Albatross
193294H.M.A.S. Australia
193193H.M.A.S. Canberra
193092H.M.A.S. Australia
1929 HMAS Australia D84
192890H.M.A.S. Sydney
192789H.M.A.S. Sydney
192688H.I.J.M.S. Iwate
192587H.M.A.S. Platypus
192486H.M.A.S. Melbourne
192385H.M.A.S. Melbourne
192284H.M.A.S. Sydney
192183H.M.A.S. Sydney
192082H.M.A.S. Australia
191981Bq. Wild Wave
191880V.T.S. Dart
191779Ketch Alice
191678Ketch Alice
191577Ship Lotus
191476H.M.A.S. Warrego
191375H.M.S. Torch
191274H.M.S. Psyche
191173H.M.S. Pyranus
191072H.M.S. Pyranus
190971H.M.S. Powerful
190870S.S. Westralia
190769H.M.S. Cambrian
190668H.M.S. Powerful
190567H.M.S. Roy Arthur
190466H.M.S. Torch
190365H.M.S. Dart
190264H.M.S. Sparrow
190163R.V.Y.C. Crusader
190062Bq. Wild Wave
189961Bq. Fortuna
189860H.M.S. Penguin
189759H.M.S. Pylades
189658H.M.S. Orlando
189557Bq. Asia
189456H.M.S. Boomerang
189355Bq. Kassa
189254Bq. Asia
189153S.S. Talune
189052Bq. Rambler
188951H.M.S. Egeria
188850H.M.S. Egeria
188749Bq. Loongana
188648S.S. Mangana
188547S.S. Esk
188446H.M.S. Diamond
188345H.M.S. Miranda
188244H.M.S. Emerald
188143H.M.S. Wolverine
188042H.M.S. Wolverine
187941Bq. Freetrader
187740S.S. Truganini
187638Bq. Victoria
187639H.M.S. Sappho
187537Bq. Acacia
187436Bq. Waratah
187335Govt. Sch. Harriet
187234H.M.S. Clio
187133H.M.S. Blanche
186932Bq. Eucalyptus
186830Bq. Wild Wave
186831Ship Ethel
186629Bq. Ranger
186528Sch. Swordfish
186427Sch. Swordfish
186326Bq. Thomas Brown
186225Bq. Cantero
186123Brig. Dart
186124S.S. Tasmania
186022S.S. Tasmania
185921H.M.S. Iris
185720Sch. North Star
185618Bq. Antipodes
185619Bq. Fair Tasmanian
185517Brig. Australasian
185416Sch. Water Lily
185315Sch. Water Lily
185214Sch. Water Lily
185013Sch. Flying Fish
184912Vsl. Martha
184811Bq. Pacific
184710Bq. Pacific
18469Sch. Flying Fish
18458Sch. Letitia
18447Bq. Frances
18436Duke of Roxburgh
18425Bq. Brilliant
18414Govt. Sch. Eliza
18403Govt. Sch. Eliza
18392Govt. Sch. Eliza
18381Govt. Sch. Eliza

References

  1. Australian Geographical Society (1 November 1937), "The Hobart Regatta which celebrates its 100th birthday, February, 1938 (1 November 1937)", Walkabout, 4 (1), Australian National Travel Association, ISSN   0043-0064
  2. "Royal Hobart Regatta:175 years". LINC Tasmania. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  3. Hobart Regatta, Royal (2016). "Royal Hobart Regatta, Hobart, Tasmania". royalhobartregatta.com. Royal Hobart Regatta.
  4. "THE REGATTA". The True Colonist Van Diemen's Land Political Despatch, And Agricultural And Commercial... No. 800. Tasmania, Australia. 7 December 1838. p. 4. Retrieved 7 December 2016 via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Classified Advertising". The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839) . Tas.: National Library of Australia. 23 November 1838. p. 4. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  6. "175th Royal Hobart Regatta underway on the River Derwent". Sail World. Retrieved 14 August 2021.

42°52′34″S147°20′17″E / 42.876158°S 147.338089°E / -42.876158; 147.338089