"Little Amy"

RAIN SPOILS SPORT.

The break-up in the ideal summer weather which had prevailed almost without cessation for upwards of a month cast an effectual damper upon this annual function which took place at the accustomed venue on Wednesday afternoon last week.

Large numbers of visitors had flocked into the town in order to witness the various sailing, rowing, and aquatic events, and the picturesque rugged slopes of Penslade, together with the Lower Town quay and jetty were crowded with interested spectators.

Rain fell intermittently throughout the early afternoon, and developed into a perfect deluge shortly after four o’clock, and, owing to this and other causes, several of the events had to be abandoned.

A ketch anchored between the jetty and Llanpit served as committee headquarters, and around here clustered innumerable boats filled with competitors, officials, and spectators. On the heights of Penslade the “Pembroke Dock Temperance Band” strove valiantly to mitigate the distressing conditions prevalent.

A regrettable mishap, fortunately unattended with serious consequences, occurred in the race for four-oared skiffs, the course for which lay from the committee-boat around the light-buoy at the extremity of the breakwater. The starters were Cariad” (D J I Harries), Little Amy (J C Evans), Sealark (G Reynolds), and Sunbeam (T H Furlong). After the boats had proceeded for some distance it was observed that one had dropped out. The other three continued without mishap until the immediate vicinity of the breakwater, where high waves, which could not be observed from the shore, were encountered. The Little Amy shipped a heavy sea, and its occupants were washed out of the boat. The two remaining competitors, observing the occurrence, promptly abandoned the race, and went to the rescue of the four men and a boy who had been precipitated into the water. The boy, who was unable to swim, fainted, and this fact probably saved his life, as he remained afloat until rescued in an unconscious condition.

The duties of starters were discharged by Capt Titus Evans and Mr W J Vaughan while the judges were Mr-Nichols, chief of Coastguards, and Capt James Thomas, Anghorfa Mr Henry Evans, Lower Town, ably filling the position of clerk of events. Amongst the members of the committee, besides those mentioned, aboard the committee-boat were Messrs J R Richards, Harry Williams, A J Hodges, Tom Furlong, W Evans, T H Evans, &c. The secretarial duties were carried out with his accustomed assiduity by Mr LI Y Williams, to whom is due the thanks of the community at large for the interest he takes in this important annual event, which is each year attracting so many visitors into the town.

The Hon. Secretary, (Mr LI Y Williams) desires, through the medium of our columns, to especially offer his thanks to Captains Titus Evans and James Thomas, and Messrs J R Richards, Harry Williams, and others for the invaluable services rendered during the regatta and also to Mr A J Hodges, who performed onerous duties at the dramatic entertainment held in the evening. He wishes to tender his grateful acknowledgements to Miss K Forsyth Rees, of the Commercial Hotel, for having disposed of £5 worth of tickets for the entertainment; to Miss Baba Vaughan, and Messrs Johnston and Beaton, of Goodwick, for the great assistance rendered in the erection of the scenery at the hall; and to Mr J R Richardson, of Caerdegan House, Fishguard, for having kindly presented the first prize of 10s and a silver medal for the 250 yards local swimming race for men.

Appended are the results – Open sailing race for yachts or open boats not exceeding 33 feet in length overall, stern post to stem– 1st Daisy (Pembroke Dock); 2 “Fishguard Lass” (Henry Garnon, Ship and Anchor) Heather-bell abandoned the race. Four-oared skiffs-Race abandoned through swamping of Little Amy.” Two-oared skiffs – 1st “Cariad” (D J Harries & Co.); 2 “Sunbeam” (T Furlong & Co.). Four-oared boats-1 Minnie” (J Rees Harries) 2 Don (T H Evans). Two-oared boats—1 “Minnie” (Harries); 2 Rose (Collins). Two-oared sciffing-1 “Minnie” (Harries); 2 Rose (Collins). Two-oared, for boys under 16-1 “Minnie” (Harries); 2 Maggie (G Reynolds). Two-oared skiffs for men-1 Little Amy (J C Evans); 2 Cariad (Harries). 250 yards open swimming race-1 Ernie Williams, Haverfordwest; 2 Jack Rogers, Fishguard. 250 yards local swimming race– 1 J M Symmons, Sailor’s Return, Fishguard; 2 J Byron Davies, Paris House, Fishguard. 100 yards swimming: race for boys-1 Edwin Thomas, Goodwick House, Fishguard; 2 Leonard Davies, Paris House; 3 Ernie Lewis, West-street, Fishguard. Long-distance diving-1 Ernie Williams, Haverfordwest; 2 Jack Rogers, Fishguard. 50 yards swimming in ordinary clothes-1 Williams, Haverfordwest; 2 Byron Davies. Duck hunt-The drake (Tom Furlong) caught the duck (Mor Lewis) within five minutes. The winner of the sailing cup was Mr J B Thomas, Pembroke Dock, who, having secured it on two previous occasions, is now entitled to retain the trophy as his exclusive property.

In the evening a dramatic performance, elsewhere reported, was given in the Temperance Hall.