John Walker Intercolonial Sailing Carnival trophy

This trophy was displayed at the office of Mr John Walker, 10 Bond Street and described in the Aquatics pages of the Sydney Morning Herald on 19/12/1896. It was presented to J McMurtrie owner of the 22-ft skiff EFFIE and N Johnson the skipper.

The Intercolonial Sailing Carnival, organised by the Johnston's Bay Sailing Club was a championship race for 22-ft skiffs between boats from Queensland and New South Wales and was first held on held on Morton Bay during the 1893-4 sailing season. I was again held on Morton Bay , Queensland on 31 December 1897. Competing boats from Queensland included BULLETIN, CANEEBIE, and STANLEY. New South Wales was represented by IREX, EFFIE and VIGILANT. The Walker Whisky trophy and the Four Crown Cup were presented in addition to the first prize of 30 pounds and the 'Courier' trophy. The race was described by the press as 'a well contested race'. The race umpire Hon E B Forrest, President of the Intercolonial carnival sailing Committee followed the race on the steamer OTTER.
EFFIE won with a time of 2 hours 38 minutes and 34 seconds becoming the champion 22-footer of Australia. It was built in Sydney by Donnelly for J McMurtrie and was launched in September 1886. It was crewed with at least 20. McMurtrie was unable to attend the race in Brisbane due to a bout of typhoid.

The following season EFFIE retained the championship on Sydney Harbour with a winning time of 5 hours, seven minutes and ten seconds ahead of KERIKI, STANLEY and CANEEBIE on 30 January 1899.