3-021-079 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Catamaran race at Madras, [India], 1868. Engraving of a sketch by Lieutenant Allan Kennedy, 21st (Royal North British) Fusiliers, aide-de-camp. 'The "catamarans"...which are used to assist the boats landing passengers and goods through the formidable surf in the harbour of Madras, are more like rafts than boats. [The] catamaran...is paddled, with great dexterity, by two men, and accompanies the Massulah boats, rendering them indispensable aid in crossing the tremendous surf waves...A curious scene was displayed on Dec. 21, by a catamaran-race - quite a novel sort of entertainment - which took place on the river Coom, in front of Fort St. George, in the midst of the city. The banks of the river, on both sides, were crowded with spectators, amongst whom were many ladies and gentlemen, in carriages or on horseback, and a great multitude of natives...The course was from the Wallajah Bridge to the Government House Bridge, about a mile and a half. Twenty-six catamarans mustered, each showing its colours in front. The signal was given by firing a pistol...The winner arrived first by several lengths; the second and third, which had stopped to fight, came in almost together, and the rest in a mass. Five prizes were awarded'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.