Collection of Thirteen Original Photos of New South Wales, Including Views of Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, Hacking River, Shoalhaven River, and Three Interesting Images of the Parramatta River Taken on the Day of the Scull Boat Race between George Towns and Jim Stanbury in 1905 or 1906. Ca. 1900s.

Thirteen unmounted gelatin silver prints, ca. 15,5x20,5 cm (6x8 in). All with pencil titles in English on versos.

This interesting collection of photos of New South Wales includes views of the Sydney Harbour taken from the deck of HMS “Powerful,” Circular Quay taken from RMS “Orontes,” two images of Bondi Beach and three rare views of the Parramatta River taken on a day of the famous scull boat race between George Towns and Jim Stanbury (one of two races between them, either in 1905 or in 1906). The photos show the Parramatta river full of canoes, paddle boats, and “steamers going up to the starting point,” as well as “the Parramatta River after the finish of the Stanbury-Towns boat race, the boats hurrying back to town.” The other images show the Hacking River taken from the Moombara district (Port Hacking, southern Sydney), Jamberoo village on the Illawarra South Coast of New South Wales; Nowra Bridge over the Shoalhaven River (built in 1881), and the Bomaderry Creek near Nowra (South Coast). The last view shows the harbour of Hobart with HMS “Challenger” on the right taken from the deck of RMS “Orontes.”

“George Towns was the Australian Single Sculls World Champion from 1901 to 1905 and 1906 to 1907. He was the last of the seven Australian World Sculling Champion who between them held the title almost uninterrupted from 1876 to 1909” (Wikipedia). His two races with another famous Australian sculler James Stanbury (1868-1945) took place on 22 July 1905 and 28 July 1906.

“Stanbury was a tough proposition as he had been World Champion from 1891 to 1896 and had held off several challenges before losing to Gaudaur. The race was agreed to be run on 22 July 1905 on the Parramatta with a stake of £500 a side. The water was smooth and the weather was fine with just a light breeze. Again large crowds were on hand to witness what was expected to one of the great sculling contests. At the start Stanbury at once went to the front and by Uhr’s Point was a length and a half ahead. Towns then spurted but could make no impression on the leader. For every effort Towns made Stanbury responded and he crossed the line by two lengths in a time of 19m.47s.

Often when one sculler was beaten by another he was offered a return match to have the chance to get even – or, go two down. Stanbury offered Towns and they had another Championship race on the same course almost a year later on 28 July 1906. After the start Towns took an early lead but was soon overhauled by Stanbury who then continued to widen the gap until he was two lengths ahead but at Cabarita he started to show signs of distress. It was evident that his right shoulder was troubling him and about which rumours had been circulating. He had to slow down considerably and Towns then managed to catch up. Stanbury’s shoulder finally gave out and from there on the race was a procession. Towns won by about twenty lengths in a time of 19m.53s. This was Stanbury’s final Championship race; he had raced in seven and won five” (Wikipedia).