A Nova Scotian insulted a Newfoundlander; historic grudge rowing contest followed
Some complained that the St. John’s oarsmen were at a disadvantage because they were already exhausted after having rowed two contests in the afternoon. They charged that the Committee had wrongly forced the men to row in a state of fatigue.
The Regatta of 1874, held on Thursday, August 6, is best remembered for the controversial scull race which injured the pride of Newfoundland oarsmen and led to a challenge match two weeks later on Quidi Vidi.
The weather was less than ideal and inspired the following comments by a reporter for the Times: “Notwithstanding unpleasant indications of weather, the glorious orb of day looking quite ‘sickly’ and intense fog peering o’er yonder hills. A little rain fell to the great discomfort of silks and satins beauty and fashion; and which indeed gave a cheerless aspect to the whole.”
This year’s Committee chairman was Dr. J. J. Dearin. Out of the 12 races held, seven were fouroared whaleboats, jolly boats and ship gigs; four were sixoared whaleboats; and the final one was the single scull race.
The battle was brewing The centre of attraction was the scull race because skippers of several Nova Scotian vessels in port persuaded the Nova Scotia scull champion George Ferguson to participate. This matching of Newfoundlanders against a foreigner stirred local patriotism and increased interest in Derby Day.
Heavy betting took place at Lakeside and the Ferguson backers put a lot of money on the scull race.
The race was not as competitive as expected, and Ferguson was an easy winner. However, the win injured the pride of local oarsmen and controversy about the handling of the race spilled over into the local press.
Some complained that the St. John’s oarsmen were at a disadvantage because they were already exhausted after having rowed two contests in the afternoon. They charged that the Committee had wrongly forced the men to row in a state of fatigue.
On the other hand, they pointed out, Ferguson was a skilled oarsman with sculls, had defeated several champion oarsmen in foreign waters, and had stepped into his boat, “as fresh as a Daisy. He couldn’t help but win.”
Ferguson defended his victory, claiming that “some in the city were poor losers.”
Another local oarsman noted bitterly that Ferguson had lost the scull race in 1873 “but defeat under the circumstances they procured it, is infinitely preferable to the ignoble victory they (Ferguson) have won.”
(He was referring to a challenge race the previous year which Ferguson had lost. Challenge races did not necessarily take place on Regatta Day.)
A rower from St. Phillip’s steps up for the challenge
With bitter feelings riding high, a small advertisement appeared in the Times. Richard Squires of Broad Cove (St. Philip’s) issued a challenge to George Ferguson to meet him in a scull race at Quidi Vidi. Squires suggested a purse for the winner of between 50 and 100 dollars. He concluded the ad stating, “If the challenge is not accepted today business will require me to leave town for my home.”
Ferguson accepted the challenge and a match was set for Saturday, August 22 at 4 p.m. The controversy had fanned public sentiment and thousands lined the banks of ‘ye olde Kitty Vitty’ to witness the contest between a Newfoundlander and a foreigner. At stake for them was not just the winning of a race but their national pride. Ferguson’s supporters were there too and betting was heavy.
Describing the scene at Quidi Vidi, the Times reported: “Even Cleopatra, when she reclined in her silken gondola on the water of beautiful Venice was never more highly elevated or honoured than was Terra Nova’s son, plain Richard Squires of Broad Cove on the afternoon of Saturday last, when after having proved the victor in the challenge scull race on Quidi Vidi Lake, he was at once declared to be entitled to the belt ... taken possession of himself and boat, and heartily conveyed through the town on the shoulders of the bone and sinew of Newfoundland; led by a band of music and an immense assemblage of people old and young from extreme exultation; knew not whether they were on their heads or their heels.”
Cocky from the start When Squires took his seat in the boat on the pond, he seemed to be quite confident of success. The newspaper reported, “Eager for combat he was as cool as the cucumbers served by the good host and hostess whose popular and much frequented cottage breasts the lake.”
The Times went on to state, “Mr. Ferguson, who had accepted the challenge, prudently gave up the contest halfway through the race when he found that his opponent was one too many for him. But, nevertheless, took all in good part and on landing warmly shook hands with Squires. Squires received a capital purse for the benefit of himself and his family.”