Arthur Gisborne Williams, M.B.E
Arthur Gisborne Williams, M.B.E., was born at Petty Harbour on March 25,1872. At an early age, he moved to St. John's and attended the East End School. At the age of 14, he went to work for George Knowling's. Following periods of employment with Thomas Shortall and J.J. St. John, in 1900 he joined Harvey & Co. and in 1909 he became Superintendent of the Butterine Factory, a position he held until his retirement in 1938. He married Christine Sutton in 1904 and they had one daughter, Margaret. He died on January 5, 1953.
Artie Williams was associated with the St. John's Regatta for over 60 years. Records for the 1880's and early 1890's are very sketchy, but we do know he rowed in the 1890 Regatta and again in 1895 and 1897. His rowing career may indeed have begun even earlier.
His career as a Coxswain began in 1896 and continued until 1905. After a 15 year absence, he returned to the pond in 1920 and finally retired in 1924.
He steered 44 crews in 13 Regattas, better than 3 crews per year. In 1905, he coxed 7 crews. He amassed a record of 18 wins, 15 seconds, 8 thirds, 2 fourths and 1 fifth. His best time came in 1905 in the Fishermen's Race when his Blackhead Crew won in a time of 9:40.20, the fastest time of the day. He also had the fastest time of the day in 1899 when he won the Society Race by a 1/4 length of the Pond in a time of 10:09.80.
The C.L.B. and Harvey & Co. were the crews with which he was most associated. While it doesn't appear in his record and is not noted in Regatta records, I believe most of his Amateur Crews were from the C.L.B.
His career was dogged by misfortune. The crew he rowed with in 1890 had a mishap at the buoys when their Coxswain lost the tiller rope. In the 1900 Society Race, an oarlock gave out opposite the City Club Boathouse, but the Crew rowed on to victory with only five oars.
In 1901, his Amateur Crew broke an oarlock after only four strokes and they were forced to retire. In the famous Brigade Race of 1902, F Myles broke an oar at the oarlock after the first stroke. Williams held the Crew together, had Myles throw over the broken lum and row with the paddle. They made a good turn at the buoys and won the Race with five oars and a piece. *
In the 1905 Amateur Race, his bow man couldn't row on the home run as his stretcher gave out. They finished second. In the Factory Race of 1922, his Stroke sprung an oar at the turning of the buoys. They lost their advantage and came in second.
And finally, he won the 1900 Tradesmen's Race in a dead heat.
A.G. Williams worked tirelessly for the community and for the welfare of his fellow citizens. This merited for him the order of Member of the British Empire. He was one of the first members of the C.L.B., a member of the C.E.I. the Old Comrades Club, the Sons of England Benefit Society and several other fraternal and charitable organizations.
At his death, the St. John's Evening Telegram observed, "To most citizens of St. John's, he was known as 'Mr. Regatta'. His contribution to the Regatta is inestimable." The Regatta President at the time, Jim Higgins, said, "His death means the passing of one of the last links with the old-time Regattas of which we know so little. He was a real sportsman."