Smith Grand Challenge Cup, 1881
1881-01-01/1881-12-31
South Australian Maritime Museum
Port Adelaide, Australia
Ornate silver cup, 540mm high, on Bakelite base awarded to winning rowing team at inaugural Torrens Lake rowing regatta, 1881. The silver lid features a cluster of silver oars and the body clusters of grapes and other flora. The Cup was inspired by Britain's Grand Challenge Cup - a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and best-known event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs.
Ornate silver cup, 540mm high, on Bakelite base awarded to winning rowing team at inaugural Torrens Lake rowing regatta, 1881. The silver lid features a cluster of silver oars and the body clusters of grapes and other flora. The Cup was inspired by Britain's Grand Challenge Cup - a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and best-known event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs.
- Title: Smith Grand Challenge Cup, 1881
- Date Created: 1881-01-01/1881-12-31
- Provenance: The Smith Grand Challenge Cup was presented by the current Mayor of Adelaide, Edwin Thomas Smith, on 17 December 1881 at the first rowing regatta held on Torrens Lake, River Torrens, and Adelaide, South Australia. The lake had been built just six months earlier. The Cup was awarded for the coxed fours, a match race between Norwood and Port Adelaide watched by 10,000 spectators. Port Adelaide won. The Cup was inspired by Britain's Grand Challenge Cup—a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and best-known event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames, England. The event is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs. The cup is a part of the Port Adelaide Nautical Museum collection. Established in 1872, it is the oldest maritime collection in Australia and represents the Port Adelaide community, businesses and seafarers - some returning home from abroad and others passing through. Formerly located in the Port Adelaide Institute, established 1851, it was a part of the 19th century movement for self-education that led to the establishment of public libraries, schools and museums. The collection is now held by the South Australian Maritime Museum.
- Subject Keywords: Sport, Awards
- Rights: History Trust of South Australia, CC-0, photographer: Kylie Macey, History Trust of South Australia, CC-0, photographer: Kylie Macey
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