Aquatics. Success of Hastings Men
The Hastings Regatta Committee met at the Royal Standard in Robertson street on the 11th of June, and there reappointed Mr. Burchell as chairman, Mr. Develin, sen. as treasurer, and Mr Develin, jun. as secretary. They also decided to hold the regatta on Monday Aug. 17th, wind and weather permitting. Commenting on this selection of the day, the St. Leonards Gazette remarked As the success of any regatta on our open coast depends mainly on the condition of the weather, we here give data whereon to found an estimate of the probable weather for the day above name. The sun will be passing from an angle of 60 degrees with Jupiter to a similar angle, with Uranus, which indicates a warm and mutable atmosphere. Jupiter will also form an angle of 450 with Mercury, a position which usually induces a brisk movement of the air, either as strong breezes or fitful gusts. The moon will be 90 degrees from Uranus and crossing the Equator on the day of maximum spring tides, which is also an untoward symbol. Altogether, and considering that there are electrical indications a day or two later, it seems reasonable to suspect the 17th of August as likely to be much less calm than those who man the frail skiff would desire. Should the weather prove to be not sufficiently favourable, our advice to the Committee would be to select the first fine day that offered. It is quite a mistake, as we have for several years contended, and as experience has proved, to postpone and re--postpone the regatta a fortnight each time. It is also a mistake to suppose that the highest spring tide is the only or even the best of the fortnightly series that can be selected for a regatta. This was demonstrated in the regattas of 1861 and 62, both of which occurred with tidal advantages greater than those usually afforded by a moontide high water.
When the day arrived, the forecast of the weather was realised, and the regatta had to be postponed. The same thing happened in the following year, as will be shown in the next volume. Then again, the maximum spring tide period was selected not withstanding past experience, when after a compelled postponement, the regatta was abandoned altogether for that year.
Hastings Rowers Elsewhere. Three of the local galley crews, while traversing the coast in search of prizes, were considerably successful. In the first class match at the Worthing regatta The Brothers of Hastings carried off the first prize, the "St. Leonards" of St Leonards, the second prize and the "Lord Warden" of Hastings, the third prize, the last name missing the first prize in consequence of turning the wrong buoy. The same three boats competed with several other "cracks" at the Deal and Walmer regatta, and in the principal match for £12, £6 and £3, occupied the same positions as at Worthing. Also in the match for first- class Amateurs, open to the coast, the "Brother's" gallantly won the first prize, whilst the St Leonards took the second prize. At the Brighton -
