BOAT RACING – Coble race at Redcar
Accreditation the Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 15/09/1871.
COBBLE RACE – REDCAR.
On Saturday afternoon last (09/09), a race took place between two cobles, one the property of Mr Schmitz, of Coatham, and the other of Mr Sowerby, Snow Hall, Darlington. Both were manned by Redcar fishermen, and the course was from the Rock buoy, round the Fairway buoy (at the mouth of the Tees) and back. A start was effected shortly before five, and for the first part of the distance, Mr Schmitz’s board maintained the advantage, but lost it in “ratching.” Shortly afterwards, this boat carried away her mast, but though this was partially repaired, she never made up her lost distance, and Mr. Sowerby’s boat came in an easy winner, the race occupying a little over two hours for the 10 miles run a great deal of interest attached itself to this affair, as it was partly a trial to decide the relative merits of round and square boats.
Lol Hansom March 25, 2013 Boats & Ships