Trophy Cup, Wellington Anniversary Regatta Champion Sailing Race
Maker
Unknown
Production date
Circa 1868
Description
Silver trophy cup, Wellington Anniversary Day Regatta, 22 January 1868
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Object Detail
These are significant examples of English and very probably NZ silver sporting trophies. The Nelson Cup is a spectacular example of high Victorian design by one of the foremost London gold and silversmith firms; further research is required to establish the maker of the 1868 Wellington Anniversary Regatta, but it is very likely to be a local (Wellington silversmith, previously unrecorded). Additionally (Peoples of Waitaha/Canterbury) they represent a link with Canterbury’s early yachting history and one of its most famous yachts – Red Jacket was built by the Day Brothers (Joseph and Alfred) at Sumner ca 1865-8 as an open boat in clinker with a square stern, but was soon altered with the addition of a deck and an elliptical stern as shown in the photo. Red Jacket was 25 feet long overall, was 22 feet on the waterline, had a 6 foot beam and drew 4’ 9 inches. “She was fitted with a sliding lead weight which was hauled to windward by block and tackle…She was brought to Wellington in 1874 by a Mr Tabuteau and, after going ashore at Kaiwarra, in 1876, was bought and refurbished by George Martin, Will Renner and Fred Gannaway…Red Jacket was broken up in the ‘90s” (“The Pet”, Harold Kidd, 1991, Bearings, Vol 3, No. 4, pp. 9-10). Joseph Day was a very well-known early Canterbury identity, being the Pilot at Sumner for many years.
The entrance fee was two guineas, the course lay around Soames Island and the race was open to all vessels under 40 tons (with allowance for centre boards). The first prize was £15 and the silver cup. Red Jacket, although much smaller than her main rivals St Kilda and Falcon, won easily, arriving 15 minutes ahead of St Kilda.
– Red Jacket was built by the Day Brothers (Joseph and Alfred) at Sumner ca 1865-8 as an open boat in clinker with a square stern, but was soon altered with the addition of a deck and an elliptical stern as shown in the photo. Red Jacket was 25 feet long overall, was 22 feet on the waterline, had a 6 foot beam and drew 4’ 9 inches. “She was fitted with a sliding lead weight which was hauled to windward by block and tackle…She was brought to Wellington in 1874 by a Mr Tabuteau and, after going ashore at Kaiwarra, in 1876, was bought and refurbished by George Martin, Will Renner and Fred Gannaway…Red Jacket was broken up in the ‘90s” (“The Pet”, Harold Kidd, 1991, Bearings, Vol 3, No. 4, pp. 9-10). Joseph Day was a very well-known early Canterbury identity, being the Pilot at Sumner for many years.
10514
Marks/Inscriptions: “Won by the cutter Red Jacket. The Property of Messrs Day Brothers 22nd January 1868.”; Type of mark: Inscription and Date; Method: Engraved
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