Rendell W Jeans 1885-1941
Rendell W. Jeans became a member of the St. John's Regatta Committee in 1910, at the age of 25. He was Treasurer of the Committee in 1924 and in 1935, when Mr. Charles J. Ellis retired from the Presidency, he was succeeded by Mr. Jeans, who had been Treasurer and later Vice President under Mr. Ellis. It was during the tenure of Mr. Jeans Presidency that the Regatta committee was established on sound, business-lie basis. To Mr. Jeans, it was intolerable that the committee should be beholding to private clubs, for the conduct of the Regatta. Up to then, the Committee was in the position of taking all the responsibility for making arrangements for the event, accepting all financial risks, but were not able to assure that the races could be held, because the boats were owned by other organizations. Besides, the only means of revenue the Committee had, was the collection from City firms and the general public, as other money raising projects were the prerogative of the boat owners. The initial major efforts of Mr. Jeans were directed to gaining full and complete control. He realised that before that could be accomplished, the Committee itself had to be firmly established. Taking on a sizeable proposition of purchasing all boats and equipment could not be done by what was really an unorganized group, the entire membership of which could change from year to year, at the will of a public meeting. Besides, no bank would make a loan to such a body and money was needed immediately in order to talk business with the boat clubs. The Committee was incorporated as a Limited Liability organization, in 1936. The membership was limited to fifty and at Mr. Jeans' request the Mayor of St. John's, then the late Andrew G. Carnell appointed the first members. Negotiations were then carried out by President Jeans, in a most amicable manner and soon the Regatta Committee was owner of boat houses, boats and all equipment. The purchase money was raised by Bank Loan, which was liquidated by continuing the yearly collection and operation, under Regatta Committee direction, of all Cash wheels, on Regatta Day. Other means of raising revenue were also devised and successfully carried out. It was necessary to purchase new race boats. Interest of crews, at that time, seemed to be waning and it was impossible to get a complete programme of six oared events. Four oared races had to be restored in order to get a full schedule of events. Four new 4 oared shells were produced, and after 1936, for several years, the programme for Regatta Day, contained races with 6 and 4 oared boats. The 4s however, were not popular and were disposed off . With the limited funds available, one new shell the "Coronet", with 6 oars, was ordered and it was last one constructed by the Master Builder, Bob Sexton.
Rendell Jeans passes on in 1941, before all of his dreams had been realised, but, to him must go the credit of having initiated the extensive programme which followed. In that respect, it should be stated that it was during his term of office that the idea of the King George V Memorial Park was conceived. In that the committee and the enthusiastic support of the Late Mayor Carnell and the Municipal Council of the time, it was then that land adjoining Quidi Vidi Lake was purchased. On some of this land, the Memorial Stadium now stands, whilst beautification of adjoining property was proceeded with. The Marquee, the Bandstand and the 2 Comfort Stations were erected and the groundwork laid for future progress.
Provincial Activities
The late Rendell W. Jeans, who was well known and respected St. John's Commission Merchant, during his business life, has never been given proper recognition for his tremendous contribution to the St. John's Annual Regatta acknowledges to be the oldest continuous Sporting event in North America. The foundation he, and his Committee laid down in 1936, was solid, durable and far sighted. Actually, the first of the objectives for which the Committee was established was "to encourage aquatic sports of all kinds and not only rowing. (A copy of the Memorandum of Association, which were signed in June 1937, will illustrate the care with which it was drawn up.
As 1986 is the 50th Anniversary of the proper organization of the St. John's Regatta, on a, solid basis, by President Jeans and his 50 man Committee, it would be most appropriate to have Rendell W. Jeans as a Builder, honoured with election to the Newfoundland Sports Hall of Fame.
References: Article in the St. Joseph's Boy Scouts programme for the Annual Regatta, 1960, by Patrick Pickett, Journalist.
Archives: Picture of the 1910 Regatta Committee, in which Rendell W. Jeans
is identified.
Copy of an advertisement - Open letter - July 7,9, 1936