Royal Hobart Regatta Explained

Holiday Name:Royal Hobart Regatta
Type:Local
Nickname:The Regatta
Longtype:Southern public holiday
Significance:Australia's largest aquatic event
Observedby:Southern Tasmania
Date:Three days, ending on the second Monday in February
Scheduling:The Second Weekend of February Annually
Duration:3 days
Frequency:Annual
Celebrations:Sea farers
Month:February
Firsttime:1 December 1838
Startedby:Governor of Tasmania - Sir John Franklin
Date2024:10–12 February

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]

The event runs for three days and incorporates a public holiday observed in Southern Tasmania on the second Monday in February.[2]

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.[3]

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,[4] 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 Phillip 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.

!Year!Regatta!Ship!Class!Type!Registration
2024186HMAS Diamantina (II)Huon ClassMine HunterM 86
2023185HMAS Arunta (II)ANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-151
2022184HMAS HobartHobart ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDDG-39
2021183HMAS HobartHobart ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDDG-39
2020182HMAS SiriusFleet Replenishment VesselO 266
2019181HMAS ChoulesBay-ClassLCVP Landing CraftL100
2018180HMAS HobartHobart ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDDG-39
2017179HMAS ChoulesBay-ClassLCVP Landing CraftL100
2016178HMAS StuartANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-153
2015177HMAS SydneyAdelaide ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileFFG-03
2014176HMAS TobrukRound Table ClassLanding Ship, HeavyL50
2013175HMAS SydneyAdelaide ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileFFG-03
2012174HMAS MelvilleLeeuwin ClassSurvey VesselA 246
2011173HMAS ParramattaANZAC FrigateDestroyer, Guided MissileFFH 154
2010172HMS Lady NelsonSurvey Vessel
2009171HMAS StuartANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-153
2008170HMAS ParramattaANZAC FrigateDestroyer154
2006168HMAS StuartANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFH-153
2005167HMAS MelbourneAdelaide ClassGuided Missile FrigateFFG-05
2004166HMAS KanimblaKanimbla ClassAmphibous Landing PlatformL 51
2003165HMAS ManooraKanimbla ClassAmphibous Landing PlatformL 52
2002164HMAS MelbourneAdelaide ClassGuided Missile FrigateFFG-05
2001163HMAS BrisbanePerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD41
2000162HMAS HobartPerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD39
1999161Perth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD38
1998160HMAS TorrensRiver ClassDestroyerDE-53
1997159HMAS TorrensRiver ClassDestroyerDE-53
1996158HMAS TorrensHMAS SwanRiver ClassRiver ClassDestroyersDE-53DE-50
1995157HMAS TorrensHMAS HobartRiver ClassPerth ClassDestroyerDestroyer, Guided MissileDE-53D39
1994156HMAS NewcastleANZAC FrigateDestroyerFFG-06
1993155HMAS ArdentAttack ClassPatrol BoatP87
1992154HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-203
1991153HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-203
1990152Perth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD38
1989151HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-203
1988150HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD-215
1987149HMAS HobartPerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD39
1986HMAS HobartHMAS CanberraHMAS DarwinPerth ClassAdelaide ClassAdelaide ClassDestroyer, Guided MissileDestroyer, Guided Missile

Destroyer, Guided Missile

D39FFG-04

FFG-02

1985147HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-203
1984146HMAS HobartPerth ClassGuided Missile DestroyerD39
1983145HMAS Jervis BayCargo FerryGT-203
1982144HMAS TorrensRiver ClassDestroyerDE53
1981143HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyersDE50
1980142HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD215
1979141HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyerDE-50
1978140HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD215
1977139HMAS DuchessDaring ClassDestroyerD154
1976138HMAS DuchessDaring ClassDestroyerD154
1975137HMAS DuchessDaring ClassDestroyerD154
1974136HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyerDE-50
1973135HMAS ANZACBattle ClassDestroyerD59
1972134HMAS ANZACBattle ClassDestroyerD59
1971133HMAS Sydney (III)Majestic ClassAircraft CarrierR17
1970132HMAS StalwartMaintenance ShipD215
1969131HMAS ParamattaRiver ClassDestroyerDE46
1968130HMAS VendettaDaring ClassDestroyerD08
1967129 - CancelledHMAS DerwentRiver ClassDestroyerDE49
1966128HMAS ParamattaRiver ClassDestroyerDE46
1965127HMAS Sydney (III)Majestic ClassAircraft CarrierR17
1964126HMAS GascoyneRiver ClassDestroyerK354
1963125HMAS QuickmatchRiver ClassDestroyerG92
1962124HMAS VoyagerDaring ClassDestroyerD04
1961123HMAS SwanRiver ClassDestroyerDE-50
1960122HMS St Brides BayBay ClassAnti Aircraft FrigateK600
1959121HMS CossackC ClassDestroyerR57
1958120USS BlueDestroyerDD-774
1957119HMAS Sydney (III)Majestic ClassAircraft CarrierR17
1956118HMAS AruntaTribal ClassDestroyerI30
1955117HMAS AruntaTribal ClassDestroyerI30
1954116HMAS QuadrantQ ClassDestroyerG67/D17
1953115HMAS SydneyMajestic ClassAircraft CarrierR17
1952114HMAS CondamineRiver ClassDestroyerK698
1951113HMAS LatrobeBathurst ClassCorvetteJ234/M234
1950112HMAS BataanTribal ClassDestroyerI91
1949111HMAS AustraliaCounty ClassHeavy CruiserD84
1948110HMAS AustraliaCounty ClassHeavy CruiserD84
1947109HMAS QuickmatchRiver ClassDestroyerG92
1946108HMS BermudaFiji ClassCruiser52
1945107S.S Marosa
1944106HMAS - HDML 1321Harbour DefenceMotor Launch1327
1943105Sch. Abel Tasman
1942104Sch. Kermandie
1941103Sch. Alma Doepel
1940102S.S Talune
1939101HMAS HobartLeander ClassLight CruiserD63
1938100HMAS Canberra (I)Country ClassHeavy CruiserD33
193799HMAS Canberra (I)Country ClassHeavy 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
1929HMAS AustraliaD84
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

External links

-42.8762°N 147.3381°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Royal Hobart Regatta:175 years. LINC Tasmania. 28 May 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20130627222927/http://www.linc.tas.gov.au/events/featured/allfeatured/royal-hobart-regatta175-years. 27 June 2013. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Royal Hobart Regatta, Hobart, Tasmania . Hobart Regatta . Royal . 2016 . royalhobartregatta.com . Royal Hobart Regatta.
  3. News: THE REGATTA.. 7 December 1838. The True Colonist Van Diemen's Land Political Despatch, And Agricultural And Commercial.... 800. Tasmania, Australia. 4. National Library of Australia. 7 December 2016.
  4. News: Classified Advertising.. 23 November 1838. National Library of Australia. The Hobart Town Courier (Tas. : 1827 - 1839). Tas.. 4. 19 August 2015.
  5. Web site: 175th Royal Hobart Regatta underway on the River Derwent . 14 August 2021 . Sail World.

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