The Alexander Stuart Challenge Shield and Botany Bay Regatta by the St George SC

by Wayne Pascoe 9 Feb 08:52 GMT

14 ft skiff ‘St George'. First winner of the Stuart Shield. 1908/09 season © St George Sailing Club

This remarkable shield was presented to our club on New Year’s Day 1909, to be raced for the dominant skiff class at that time (14ft) and conducted on a course ‘around’ Botany Bay. That class only lasted till 16 ft skiffs were granted the honour to race. Last year, 2024, we saw the 100th event for that class. On February 15, 2025, the 115th mini shield will be added showing skipper, boat and their club.

Reunions are nothing new here at St George. Indeed, my research was reinvigorated when I met a close friend of the Stuart family at one such event. Prior to that, our 125th anniversary book had the involvement of one great grandson, Warwick, and now Alexander’s other great grandson, Douglas, has put forward his below address.

Alexander Stuart famed photo held within the club - photo © Wayne Pascoe

“In 1908 when Alexander Stuart donated a trophy to spice up the skiff races, could he have ever imagined creating this sailing legacy and competition that would continue for well over a century. In a world where traditions are being lost, comes a competitive skiff race that I’m proud to say, as a former 12ft skiff sailor, shows, history and tradition are really valued by competitors."

"The Stuart family has always been drawn to the water, having lived on the Georges River till 2010. I helped my dad when he built my first Manly Junior and Flying 11 which was awesome as a kid. Once you have saltwater in your blood, there’s no stopping you."

Noakes - photo © Sailmedia

"Back in 1908 the skiffs were ‘out-of-control’ and you had to be brave or crazy to sail them, and ‘popping-a-kite-in-a-blow’ gave you such an adrenalin rush. 115 races later it’s still the same."

"The skiffs have changed dramatically with new technology but luckily the old fashion adrenalin rush hasn’t. I know the winner of this year’s race will have put in a massive effort to win and deserves the respect from fellow competitors and especially myself on behalf of the Stuart Clan."

Frank Lepherd presents winning Botany Bay Stuart shield to Ken Beashel and crew of Big Bear 1960/61. Photo taken in our second of four clubhouses, now buried under the Captain Cook Bridge! - photo © St George Sailing Club

"You are now part of this event’s history, sharing the honour with 114 other winners and thousands of crews."

"May the passion drive you and the wind fill your sails.”

As written by direct decedent, Douglas Stuart, Gold Coast. February 2, 2025.

The Stuart Challenge Shield - photo © Wayne Pascoe

Much has been written about Alexanders’ Shield, and I can refer you to the St George SCs’ history page on Facebook for more information.

Besides Alexander’s great grandsons’ tribute, I have other contributions by especially Life Member Ross Bull and help via the Garry Darby 125 book and the club’s archivist Julie Fitzsimons.

The first gathering - combined life members lunch at StG SC - both Manly SC and StG SC - 2023/24 - photo © St George Sailing Club

Noticeably in those very early years, trophy dedications along with donations by many patrons were things that floated the club. Such philanthropy came from the likes of Alexander Stuart (our first Life Patron) and remained till the club lost its last two Life Patrons, Pat Collis and Bill Riley, by 2015. In an instant the club’s success can be summed up by Pat as “continuity in any job undertaken”

From its inception the shield was raced for by 14 ft skiffs. Just twice, in seasons 1917/18 and 1923/24, the ‘challenge’ wasn’t run, lastly due to inactivity within their ranks.

2023/24 race finish. Imagine Signage (N Wilmot) beats Southerly by three seconds - photo © Sailmedia

Since 1924/25 the race and shield has been run and won annually by 16 ft skiffs.

The first '16' to win was the Unique. Included is a photo of the Unique, which was sailed here at St George SC, winning the club championship in 1910. As skiffs in that period were kept for many years it’s not hard to believe it may have been the same boat which won the Stuart Shield in 1924-25, although this is only conjecture. Albeit the photo is evocative of the period.

16 ft skiff 'Unique'. First 16 to win the Shield, 1924/25. With a different crew, this is most likely the same boat that won the club championship 1910 - photo © St George Sailing Club

From programs I have, most boats entered the race in a single year totalled 147 in the 1970/71 season, although that year is in doubt due to conflicting information to hand. Indeed, around that period about 140 was a normal entry number. Crew per boat was a minimum of four at that time! The winner of that year was Manly Skiff Club boat Bluefin skippered by M Polkinghorne. His presentation photo, and others, are attached.

The St George sailing clubs 75th year was in 1972/73, and the race commenced by Sir Roden Cutler VC, Governor of NSW. Sir Roden was granted an honorary life membership at that time by Life Member and President Hamilton 'Pat' Collis. Notably, those annual races attracted very large spectator numbers, with boats like Alexander Stuart’s ‘sunbeam’ in 1908/09, the SS Erina and cruisers like the Silver Cloud which allowed for excellent viewing. A photo included here shows Sir Roden firing the gun! Incidentally that same Halverson, ‘Silver Cloud’, is now with the Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. Photos attached. The Sunbeam has been restored, remains in the Stuart family and ‘lives’ on the ‘river’ again.

Halvorsen cruiser 1970 ‘Silver Cloud' official start boat for many years - photo © St George Sailing Club

You won’t see many of the things I’ve written about here next Saturday, but you will see a new breed of sailor in slicker boats. Anticipation will be there. The crowd will be there. The club will be full and sailor entourages will wait for about two hours.

One other thing that will be there is THE Shield, as it has for the previous 114 years.

Information on the Stuart Shield champion clubs: