THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Stormy weather leads to curtailment of Bangor swimming races

The fifth annual meeting of the Bangor Amateur Swimming Club had been held over the weekend that had just past, reported the News Letter on this day in 1878.

There were 10 events on the card for the day’s competition with some 26 entries – the largest number ever received for any swimming races in Ireland.

The paper’s correspondent wrote: “Owing to the unfavourable state of the water it was considered judicious to alter the scene of the racing from the Pickie Rock to the neighbourhood of what is known as the Long Hole, on the Ballyholme Bay side of the harbour.”

The prizes were “very valuable” and succeeded in attracting competitors from the London Athletic Club, Holywood A R and S C, Belfast, Portrush, Newry, Dundalk, Donaghadee, Carrickfergus and Sydenham. Among those who provided the prizes for the Bangor races were Lord A E Hill-Trevor, MP, A H Coates, Esq, the RUYC, J S McTear, Esq, R E Ward, Esq, DL, Major Crawford, DL, Messrs Moore Brothers, Lord Bangor, Ed Higginson, Esq, Foster Connor, Esq, JP, Major Maxwell and Mr H H Griffin.

In the end only three of the 10 races could be held because of the bad weather, these were 320 yards (scratch) Open which was won by W F Thompson, the 220 yards Handicap (club) was won by the Arthur Richardson, the last race held that day was the 10 yard (junior handicap) Open which was won D J Ross from Holywood.

The remaining races on the programme were expected to be contested on August 26, 1878 at the Pickie Rock at six o’clock depending on better weather.