Port Adelaide Regatta trophy

Chalice shaped trophy (no handles). Inscription reads: “Port Adelaide Regatta, 1st January, 1866. Made by James Dixon and Sons”.

Regattas and rowing races were part of sporting life on the Port River from the earliest days of European settlement. Port Adelaide's first rowing 'regatta' took place in September 1838 between Captain Hart of the ‘Porcher’ and Cook of the ‘Eden’ for the amusement of their shore-going friends.

The 1866 regatta was well attended with the South Australian Register reporting that the river was 'alive with interested spectators'. The steamer Goolwa served as flagship and the Eleanor and Young Australia ferried spectators to different spots during the day. The regatta comprised several sailing and rowing races as well as a number of novelty events. The cup was resented by his Excellency Sir Dominic Daly ( Governor of South Australia) to the winning four oared gig Edith crewed by J Shaw (Stroke), WH Hopkins, Smith, Ring (bow), J Fletcher (Cox).

J Dixon & Sons (James Dixon & Sons) founded 1806 in Sheffield, was one of the major British manufacturers in the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century. This trophy is representative of prizes awarded in rowing regattas in Adelaide and wider Australia during the second half of the 19th century. Rowing and sailing were popular colonial sports and drew large crowds of spectators.