Jockey - Waverley Council

SYDNEY MACKENZIE DEMPSTER Yachtsman
BORN: 1867, Sydney
DIED: 4 June, 1929, Randwick, N.S.W.
AGE: 62 years
GRAVE: 332-333 Church of England Select, Section 3
Dempster was prominent in yachting circles. "As a youth he followed a
seafaring occupation and served for many years on sailing ships trading
with every part of the worid," stated the SMH obitiiary. "He was a life
member of the Prince Alfred Yacht Club, and during his association
with the club he held every official position, including that of
commodore. He was also a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht
Squadron. Mr Dempster raced successfully with the yacht Petrel for
many years, and in 1905 and 1906 he won the championship ribbon and
cup."
The Buttetin gave this describtion of the 1906 race: "Passing Watson's Bay,
Petrel had worked far in front of the fleet, and was the first to dip
through the frowning harbor gates. As they thrashed away towards
South Reef, Petrel led round the steamer, with Culwulla and Magic
behind, and as they turned the spinnakers swelled out and drove the
yachts with bird-like motion for the Heads. Petrel still rushed ahead,
with Culwulla right on her tiller, but passing Parsley Bay she went
in front, and shortly afterwards jibed across the Petrel's bows, cut down
in front, and led over the line. When the rating allowances had been
adjusted it was found that Petrel had won, with Culwulla and Magic
second and third. This victory placed the Petrel so far in front of the
other competitors, that no matter what happens in the last race of the
series, it will not deprive her of the championship."
"The 1902-3 season witnessed the outstanding success /
of Dempster's Petrel, which won the Gascoigne Cup,
the Squadron Cup, and the 20-footers' Pennant",
,^ i
wrote PR. Stephenson in Sydney Sails. However, the . \
1913 season was a stormy one and in March
"Petrel carried away and drove hard on to
Bradley's Head where she remained in a
mess until the squall, which was of short
duration, eased to flat calm. She was
towed off with some damage to
her hull."
/
"In 1919 Mr Dempster
undertook a five months'
adventure in his yacht, the Stormy
Petrel, and on that occasion he sailed north to
Thursday Island," related the SMH. At the time of his death Dempster
had been a real estate agent in the firm of MarshaU and Dempster His
funeral was weU attended by friends from the business world and "many
sailing men", the Daily Telegraph stated.
SOURCE: Waverley Cemetery Archives; A Biographical Register 1788-1939; Sydney Sails, The Royal Sydney
Yacht Squadron 18623-1962 by PR. Stephenson; The Bulletin 1-2-1906; Daily Telegraph 6-6-1929; SMH 5-6-1929,
6-6-1929
Illustration source: "Sydney Sails" The Royal Yacht Squadron 1862-1962
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