[Editor: An article on the celebration in Sydney for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the colony of New South Wales. Published in The Sydney Monitor, 29 January 1838.]
The Jubilee
The Jubilee was kept on Friday last. The public offices were closed, and business about the town, in a good measure, suspended. The principal attraction of the day was the Regatta, which, notwithstanding so little time had elapsed since the proposal was started, went off very well.
The harbour wore a very lively appearance — vessels in harbour being decked out in their gayest colours, and the Royal Standard hoisted at Fort Macqunrie and Dawes’ Point, and the water covered with boats. The Neptune, lying off the Point, was the starring place, and contained a large company on board.
For the first race, the following vessels were entered:— The Wave, by Messrs. Elyard, white burgee and New South Wales ensign; the Pet, by Mr. Lindo, blue; the Alert, Mr. Humphries, tri-color pennant; the Stranger, Mr. Redgrave, blue, white, and red ; the North star, Mr. Sawyer, red, white, and blue; the Sophia, Mr. Milson, tri-color; the Brother’s Friend; Messrs. Salmon, chequered; the Model, Mr. Campbell, red burgee; the Athol Ranger, belonging to Mr. Martin, and a boat called the Falcon, were entered the morning of sailing.
At twelve o’clock the first race commenced. The North Star took the lead, but was soon passed by the Sophia, Pet, and Stranger. After the race had rounded the light-boat, the North Star recovered its superiority, which it maintained until it arrived at the goal; it was followed by the Pet, which vessel, consequently, won the second prize.
The second race was won by the Sea Gull, which was followed by the Queen Victoria.
The race of the whale boats caused most interest, and was well contested. The first prize was obtained by the Red Nose, the property of Mr. Hill, and the second by the Ann, Mr. Redgrave.
The Australia, Experiment and Rapid, steamers, were plying about the harbour with company, and towards noon the new steamer, Maitland, made her appearance, and was loudly greeted; she ran twice down the harbour; her speed at first was not great, but towards the latter part of the day it improved.
The town at night presented a gay appearance; a few houses were illuminated, and the streets were thronged up to a late hour, the inhabitants appearing to enjoy the promenading of George-street. Fire-works, good and bad, were innumerable. Opposite the Royal Hotel, a shower of squibs was kept up with great spirit.
Notwithstanding the crowd which thronged the streets, the greatest quietness and good humour prevailed; and, what is most remarkable, and scarcely credible, the Police Office on Saturday did not present a single case of disorder perpetrated on the previous evening. Could as much have been said in England?
Source:
The Sydney Monitor (Sydney, NSW), Monday 29 January 1838, page 2
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
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