Let’s take a Derwent refresher

Reinvigorate the pleasures of our river, writes Reg Watson

HOBARTIANS are blessed with a spectacular area of recreation and beauty called the River Derwent, with its many wonderful beaches.

On weekends, sailing clubs use its resources, and in warmer months bathers take to its waters.

Sometimes it is just plain worthwhile to sit and view the scene. Even so, can more be done to use what we have?

In the past, water activity was more substantial than it is now. A newspaper report from 1827 mentions horse racing on New Year’s Day at Long Beach, Sandy Bay, which was “crowded with people”. In this modern age, there is so much to occupy our leisure time.

What can we do to maximise this asset without affecting its beauty and natural environment?

Regattas on the Derwent were numerous, not only the Hobart Regatta (the oldest continuous regatta in Australia), but Bellerive (1853), Kingston, Sandy Bay, as far afield as New Norfolk and at one time Prince of Wales Bay.

Royal Hobart Regatta began in 1838, and I remember in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, enormous crowds flocked to it.

But attendances are now down. Sandy Bay Regatta began in 1849 while Kingston Regatta led to A Day at the Beach. There were numerous jetties from Old Beach and Sandy Bay (Manning Reef still exists), Lindisfarne and Bellerive, down to Kingston

Beach. Jetties were vital with the advent of river steamers dropping off passengers, the delivery of fruit and cargo, for pleasure craft and for recreational fishing, diving and swimming.

At Sandy Bay, there were public baths from the 1840s. Bath areas were set aside for changing for both women and “gentlemen”, allowing community interaction.

The baths were located where the Sandy Bay Rowing Club is now. In September 1882, a Mercury report makes mention of the springboard, and it was in constant use all through the summer season.

In 1929 the newspaper reported of the “sickening and filthy conditions”. Indeed, they were closed because of water quality.

What of the river ferries and the amazing river ferry races? I am mature enough in years to recall the many used not only for recreational reasons, but for passenger services between Hobart City and Eastern Shore destinations. John Sargent, local river ferry historian, adds that in 1816 a licence was granted to Urias Allender and John Newland to operate boats propelled by sail and oars between Hobart Town and Kangaroo Bay.

Oldsters may remember the romantic days of the river ferries Rowitta, Dover, Excella and Cartela, the latter, the last of the lot.

Then there were the beaches. Hobart and the river are ringed by magnificent places of leisure. Long Beach at Sandy Bay was the hot spot for swimming and picnics.

By the 1920s and onwards, thousands arrived by cars, and later trolley buses, enjoying the waters of this easily accessed beach. It was not only weekends, but weeknights as well. Bands played, hundreds strolled and many took advantage of bathing boxes.

To service the demand, boat sheds were erected, tables and seats, swings for children, and reserves were set aside adorned with pine trees and picnic booths, plus shops to supply ice-creams, cordials and cups of tea. It was a marvellous festive atmosphere. There were also lifesaving team demonstrations.

The river has often been a venue for swimming competitions and still is, such as the Trans-Derwent Swim, a Royal Hobart Regatta event and the Derwent River Big Swim, a 34km competition from New Norfolk to Hobart, judged in the list of the 13th toughest marathon swims in the world. Sailing for recreation was common,

BANDS PLAYED, HUNDREDS STROLLED AND MANY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF BATHING BOXES. RESERVES WERE ADORNED WITH PINE TREES AND PICNIC BOOTHS, SHOPS FOR ICE-CREAMS, CORDIALS AND CUPS OF TEA

although one would have to watch out for the many whales which swam in the river during early colonial times. Yacht competitive classes of

Dragon, Sharpies, Lasers and Fireballs are seen nearly every weekend, home to a number of yachting clubs. One of the main ones is the Royal Yacht

Club of Tasmania (1880), reputed to be Australia’s largest yacht club, which plays a major role in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race finish.

We should be looking at what can be. The river has so much potential for a greater amount of water activities and facilities to the benefit of the public, not so much to the big developers and corporations.

It is our river for all Tasmanians and visitors alike. We have an incredible asset right on our doorstep, yet I cannot help thinking it is so underused.

With a little more planning, thought and innovation, I am confident much more can be made of its practical use.

Reg A. Watson is a Hobart historian and author.