THAR LAP’ AND ‘WINOOKA’

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1933, Page 7

THAR LAP’ AND ‘WINOOKA’

AUSTRALIAN NAVAL RIVALRY. Auckland, Aug. 30. There is more than keen rivalry between the crews of the Canberra and the Australia, the two warships of the Australian squadron arriving to-morrow, and it is all over two “sea horses.” For a long time now the Canberra has annexed honours in inter-ship regattas through the invincibility of the racing whaleboat, proudly christened . “Phar Lap.” This boat has lower sides than the modem pattern naval whaler, giving the crew a better rowing position, and to date it has proved invincible. The Australia’s complement, very sore over their loss of honours through the persistent winning of “Phar Lap,” recently secured a boat of similar design and ceremonially named it “Winooka.” Both of these whalers were entered for the regatta at Russell on Monday, but the combined committee controlling the event, evidently having heard of the undoubted advantage possessed by the lower-sided type, disqualified both from the inter-squadron competition. The Canberra’s crew were dejected, knowing that their crews, who had trained in “Phar Lap,” would be out of the race with their rowlocks higher above water, but those aboard the Australia rejoiced at the first chance of meeting their flagship on even terms. And they justified themselves emphatically, “Phar Lap’s” substitute was last in each of the three whaleboat events. This, however, did not finish the boat battle ’ between the Australian cruisers. A challenge for a special race between the unbeaten ‘.‘Phar Lap” and the untried “Winooka” was issued and accepted, and, arrangements permitting, there ■will be rowed at Russell this afternoon an event that will be a very serious affair for Australian crews, and an incident of amusing interest to those of the New Zealand warships. If the “Phar Lap”-“Winooka” contest does not occur at Russell to-day, Aucklanders will have