Squires Rowing Scull
Vessel numberHV000154
Previous NumberHV
Builder
George Towns and Sons
(Australian, 1909 - 1965)
Date1962
DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 8 m x 7.8 m x 0.27 m x 0.09 m, 0.09 tonnes (26.25 ft x 25.59 ft x 0.89 ft x 0.3 ft, 0.09 tons)
DescriptionThe hull is constructed with a single veneer of Australian red cedar, and is one of the last examples of this construction method before it was replaced with plywood. The veneer method produced a light hull with good longitudinal stiffness, but with no internal framing the veneer was prone to splitting. The builder glued strips of silk on the inside across the planking at about 3 in (75 mm) centres to prevent this happening. The craft also features a spruce 'I' beam on the centreline under the seat position to spread the load onto a greater length of the hull. It remains in excellent condition and is used occasionally, complete with wooden oars made by the builders.
The builder, George Towns and Sons had a shed at Gladesville NSW on the Parramatta River, now part of the site for the Sydney Grammar School rowing shed. They were a longstanding firm of racing shell builders with a reputation for the highest quality construction. Their shells were used throughout Australia, New Zealand and North America, winning many major events within Australia and internationally.
Update June 2023: The Squires Rowing Scull is now permanently displayed from the ceiling of the Buckingham Rowing Club clubroom.
SignificanceThe SQUIRES ROWING SCULL was built in NSW in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It was built by by George Towns and Sons, one of the premier scull builders in Australia. It represents traditional wood-veneer hull construction used before plywood was substituted in the early 1960s. Graham Squires won the premier interstate single scull trophy the Presidents Cup for Tasmania in 1963 when rowing this scull. He had been runner up on three previous occasions. Squires became a very significant life member of the Buckingham Rowing Club in Hobart.
1890-1900
