James Carter, Oarsman
Nominator Frank W.Graham
The West End Police crew of superbly conditioned oarsmen who, in 1935, won the Championship race at the St. John's Regatta of that year in 9.47 launched a dynasty which was destined to last for the next four years.
From 1935 until 1939 the West End Constabulary won five consecutive championship races at the St John's Annual Regatta and furthermore had the five quickest times over that period. That crew established itself as one of the most spirited and accomplished group of oarsmen to have manned a racing shell of Quidi Vidi lake.
While each member of the West End Constabulary crew should be deservedly acknowledged and fittingly recognized for his contribution to the all-over unified success of such a magnificent team effort, it is felt by the crew members themselves that Jim Carter who rowed stroke oar should be fittingly acknowledged as the key to their success. They claim he was not only a superb oarsman but was furthermore endowed with that essential personal quality -effective and inspiring leadership.
Back 1n 1935 a group of young unmarried police constables occupied living quarters over the old West End Fire-hall then located at the Junction of Hutchings and New Gower streets. That residential arrangement led to a sharing of interests among the men both at work and recreation. By and large all the young constables then serving in the West End police were men with outport roots, familiar with maritime life and a boyhood spent in boats. Carter who hailed from Ferryland had much the same upbringing, he too was an accomplished oarsman. With such a shared interest it was not unnatural that some thought was given to entering a crew to represent the West End police in the 1935 Regatta. It devolved on Jim Carter to choose, from no shortage of available oarsmen, five who along with himself would form the West End police crew.
From the very outset Carter along with the five crew members chosen, on the basis of rowing skill, determination, and a resolve to apply themselves to a training schedule, got down to business. Not that any great effort was required for the men to shape up. A policeman's calling in dally patrolling 'a beat' and, on foot found them in top physical condition. However when early June practices began on Quidi Vidi Lake and they had to familiarize themselves with the race boats by dally practices on Quidi Vidi Lake they further honed themselves for the 1935 Regatta by walking from the West End fire hall to Quidi Vidi Lake each morning and again in late afternoon. Such a rigorous training schedule for oarsmen participating in the St John's annual Regattas would not become standard practice until years later. When crews became so dedicated to physical perfection that the entire year from one Regatta to another was spent in 'shaping up'. In a sense the West End Police, although little realizing it at the time, were unwittingly pioneering a practice which later would be adopted by most crews as a part of their conditioning process.
A Coxwain whose stewardship in that capacity at the St. John's Annual Regatta on Quidi Vidi lake could cover thirty years creates a truly impressive record. The role of an oarsman, on the other hand, is of short duration, possibly five years at the most. Small wonder that longevity of service weighs heavily in favor of Coxwains being considered for induction into the Regatta Hall of Fame. No oarsman, on his own, has yet made that niche of privilege.
The time has arrived when, in terms of effort expended and results realized, the outstanding record of so superb an oarsman and inspiring a leader as Stroke oar Jim Carter merits recognition. He is unique in that he stroked the West End Police crew to five successive Regatta championships. He deservedly merits the recognition of history by induction into the Regatta Hall of Fame.
POSTSCRIPT
Jim Carter who suffered a stroke in 1989 is now a bed-ridden patient at St Patrick's Mercy home.
James Carter's superb performance as an outstanding oarsman and stroke of five consecutive championship races at the St John's annual Regatta, is reflected in the listing shown hereunder:
JAMES CARTER
REGATTA RECORD (1935-1939)
YEAR RACE RACE-BOAT TIME 1935 All Comers Star of Sea 9.47 1936 All Comers Blue Peter 10.12 1937 Police Race Star of Sea 9.43.8 1937 All Comers Star of Sea 9.41
1938 Police Race Coronet 9.42.2 1938 All Comers Coronet 9.50.6 1939 Police Race Coronet 9.46.8 1939 All-Comers Coronet 9.50.6
MEMORANDUM
In 1935 and again in 1936, the EAST End Police with J.M.Tobin as coxwain won the Police race. The West End Police finished a close second both years with qualifying times for the All-Comers races. The West End Police won the All-Comers race in both years.
In 1946 Jim Carter acted as Manager for the West End Police crew and successfully guided his charges to victory in both the Police Race and the All Comers races.
The title 'Championship Race' was changed to 'All-Comers' race in 1927. Later the dual title 'All-Comers-Championship' race was employed. In the post World War ii era that duel term was dropped and the final race on each Regatta program is now known as the Championship race.