Gorey Regatta Association
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE GOREY REGATTA
Gorey Regatta Association has researched the history of Channel Island regattas and Gorey Regatta in particular, from reports in the newspapers "Chroniques de Jersey", "Nouvelles Chroniques de Jersey" and "The Jersey Times" from 1851 to 1863.
Regattas seem to be items worth reporting in the newspapers of 150 years ago. To illustrate this, we have listed below a summary of the reports which have been microfilmed and are stored in the Jersey Public Library.
The Gorey Regatta was first mentioned in 1857 when it was recorded in both The Chroniques and The Jersey Times as having taken place on Monday 31st August and Tuesday 1st September of that year.
The Times account, in English, is important. In the last paragraph, the correspondent states: "According to all accounts, the men were well pleased with the Regatta, and grateful for the trouble its promoters had taken, and which was justified by loudly cheering the committee at the conclusion of the sports. As a first trial, the Regatta at Gorey was successful - the want of a breeze was the only drawback to all going off on the first day most satisfactorily. It was a good idea of the committee to provide other amusements besides racing; they appeared to be appreciated by the public, who on the whole were undoubtedly pleased with the day's holiday and we think will next year go to see the Gorey Fishermen's Regatta". We have been unable to find any account of the regatta in the papers of the following year, 1858.
Our conclusion from this research is that the first Gorey Regatta did not start in 1852, as believed by the committee in 1952, (i.e. at the time of the so called 'Centenary Regatta') but that it was first held on 31st August 1857.
REGATTA HISTORY - BRIEF RECORD OF NEWSPAPER ENTRIES
1851 10 Sep Granville Regatta
1852 Sep St Malo Regatta
1853 24 Aug Granville, St Malo & St Servan Regattas
1854 7 to 9 Aug St Helier (St Aubin's Bay) Regatta (2 sailing and 2 rowing matches each day)
1855 7 Aug Jersey Regatta followed by a Ball in the Queen's Assembly Rooms.
1856 15 Aug Proposed visit of Queen Victoria to Jersey during Cowes Regatta Week. (Subsequently cancelled because of the weather)
1857 31 Aug Gorey Regatta
1858 3 Aug Regatta in Cherbourg (Royal Yacht Squadron entered)
4 Sep approx St Malo Regatta
1861 13 Aug Regattas in St Aubin's Bay and Grouville Bay
1862 23 Aug Report of St Helier Regatta - 3 races for sailing boats
1863 29 Aug Report of a regatta in St Catherine's Bay
Extract from the Jersey Times of 4 September 1857:
THE GOREY REGATTA
This nautical fete came off on Monday in Grouville Bay. The morning breeze promised well for the day's sport but it gradually lulled, and almost a dead calm succeeded, materially detracting from the interest of the sailing-matches. Crowds of persons thronged the pier of Gorey and the heights in its neighbourhood; and the steamers Venus and Comete and numerous cutters and boats, were filled with excursionists from the town. HMS Dasher and her tenders, the Mercury and the Ceres were gaily decked with flags for the occasion.
Between Jersey and the distant French coast the 24 cutters contending for the first and second prizes; and pending these contests the public were amused with duck-hunts in the harbour; a race along a greased bowsprit for a live pig attached to its foremost end, all the competitors successive falling into the water, but without accident; etc., etc.
At 6 o'clock the sailing boats had not returned, and it was found impractical to carry out the full programme of the day. As for rowing matches, there were none; a gig from St Helier, belonging to Mr F.G. De Ste Croix, was ready for any competitor, but none would accept her challenge.
The Regatta was, we understand, continued with much spirit on Tuesday. We will publish the names of the victors, if enabled to do so, in our next number.
Extract from the Jersey Times of 8th September 1857:
GOREY REGATTA
(From a Correspondent)
Our report of this Regatta, which commenced yesterday week, is somewhat late, on account of the sailing being continued on the following day, the calm of Monday having prevented the matches coming off.
After the great pains which had apparently been taken to ensure to the public a good day's sport, it is to be deplored that the breeze, so favourable in the early morning, died away rendering the sailing matches, which otherwise would have been most interesting, decidedly the … . The first match for large cutters was started at half past 10 am, and, as they sailed round the … boats the first time it formed a very pretty picture. The Swallow obtained the first prize and the … and Express the second and third. … … …
Gorey Regatta Association has researched the history of Channel Island regattas and Gorey Regatta in particular, from reports in the newspapers "Chroniques de Jersey", "Nouvelles Chroniques de Jersey" and "The Jersey Times" from 1851 to 1863.
Regattas seem to be items worth reporting in the newspapers of 150 years ago. To illustrate this, we have listed below a summary of the reports which have been microfilmed and are stored in the Jersey Public Library.
The Gorey Regatta was first mentioned in 1857 when it was recorded in both The Chroniques and The Jersey Times as having taken place on Monday 31st August and Tuesday 1st September of that year.
The Times account, in English, is important. In the last paragraph, the correspondent states: "According to all accounts, the men were well pleased with the Regatta, and grateful for the trouble its promoters had taken, and which was justified by loudly cheering the committee at the conclusion of the sports. As a first trial, the Regatta at Gorey was successful - the want of a breeze was the only drawback to all going off on the first day most satisfactorily. It was a good idea of the committee to provide other amusements besides racing; they appeared to be appreciated by the public, who on the whole were undoubtedly pleased with the day's holiday and we think will next year go to see the Gorey Fishermen's Regatta". We have been unable to find any account of the regatta in the papers of the following year, 1858.
Our conclusion from this research is that the first Gorey Regatta did not start in 1852, as believed by the committee in 1952, (i.e. at the time of the so called 'Centenary Regatta') but that it was first held on 31st August 1857.
REGATTA HISTORY - BRIEF RECORD OF NEWSPAPER ENTRIES
1851 10 Sep Granville Regatta
1852 Sep St Malo Regatta
1853 24 Aug Granville, St Malo & St Servan Regattas
1854 7 to 9 Aug St Helier (St Aubin's Bay) Regatta (2 sailing and 2 rowing matches each day)
1855 7 Aug Jersey Regatta followed by a Ball in the Queen's Assembly Rooms.
1856 15 Aug Proposed visit of Queen Victoria to Jersey during Cowes Regatta Week. (Subsequently cancelled because of the weather)
1857 31 Aug Gorey Regatta
1858 3 Aug Regatta in Cherbourg (Royal Yacht Squadron entered)
4 Sep approx St Malo Regatta
1861 13 Aug Regattas in St Aubin's Bay and Grouville Bay
1862 23 Aug Report of St Helier Regatta - 3 races for sailing boats
1863 29 Aug Report of a regatta in St Catherine's Bay
Extract from the Jersey Times of 4 September 1857:
THE GOREY REGATTA
This nautical fete came off on Monday in Grouville Bay. The morning breeze promised well for the day's sport but it gradually lulled, and almost a dead calm succeeded, materially detracting from the interest of the sailing-matches. Crowds of persons thronged the pier of Gorey and the heights in its neighbourhood; and the steamers Venus and Comete and numerous cutters and boats, were filled with excursionists from the town. HMS Dasher and her tenders, the Mercury and the Ceres were gaily decked with flags for the occasion.
Between Jersey and the distant French coast the 24 cutters contending for the first and second prizes; and pending these contests the public were amused with duck-hunts in the harbour; a race along a greased bowsprit for a live pig attached to its foremost end, all the competitors successive falling into the water, but without accident; etc., etc.
At 6 o'clock the sailing boats had not returned, and it was found impractical to carry out the full programme of the day. As for rowing matches, there were none; a gig from St Helier, belonging to Mr F.G. De Ste Croix, was ready for any competitor, but none would accept her challenge.
The Regatta was, we understand, continued with much spirit on Tuesday. We will publish the names of the victors, if enabled to do so, in our next number.
Extract from the Jersey Times of 8th September 1857:
GOREY REGATTA
(From a Correspondent)
Our report of this Regatta, which commenced yesterday week, is somewhat late, on account of the sailing being continued on the following day, the calm of Monday having prevented the matches coming off.
After the great pains which had apparently been taken to ensure to the public a good day's sport, it is to be deplored that the breeze, so favourable in the early morning, died away rendering the sailing matches, which otherwise would have been most interesting, decidedly the … . The first match for large cutters was started at half past 10 am, and, as they sailed round the … boats the first time it formed a very pretty picture. The Swallow obtained the first prize and the … and Express the second and third. … … …
Gorey Regatta Association Banner
The design is based on medieval seals such as those of the English Cinques Ports and Flemish sea ports. It depicts, in medieval heraldic style, a cog (ship) of the 14th century in full sail. A stylised representation of Gorey Castle (Mont Orgueil) is shown in the sail.
The flag at the stern carries the cross of St George, the patron saint of England as well as of Gorey castle. The flag at the ship’s jackstaff on the fo’castle head bears arms emblematical of St Nicolas, Bishop of Myra. He is patron saint of children as well as of sailors. The three golden “besants” represent the purses he threw secretly into the house of three sisters to save them from destitution or shame The wavy bands symbolise the sea. The high hill facing the Castle of Gorey is named Mont St Nicolas.
Heraldically the design would be described:-
“Azure; a cog or. On her sail argent a castle gules. In her stern a banner of St George. In her bow a banner of St Nicolas. In base the waves of the sea.
Designed by Major N. V. L. Rybot, D.S.O., Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians of London, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.”
The flag at the stern carries the cross of St George, the patron saint of England as well as of Gorey castle. The flag at the ship’s jackstaff on the fo’castle head bears arms emblematical of St Nicolas, Bishop of Myra. He is patron saint of children as well as of sailors. The three golden “besants” represent the purses he threw secretly into the house of three sisters to save them from destitution or shame The wavy bands symbolise the sea. The high hill facing the Castle of Gorey is named Mont St Nicolas.
Heraldically the design would be described:-
“Azure; a cog or. On her sail argent a castle gules. In her stern a banner of St George. In her bow a banner of St Nicolas. In base the waves of the sea.
Designed by Major N. V. L. Rybot, D.S.O., Fellow of the Society of Antiquarians of London, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.”