Bish Bolton at the helm of Jenny Too. John Stanley collection.
When the replica of Top Weight (II) began sailing with the Sydney Flying Squadron’s replica fleet in 2000, owner Grant Taylor came into contact with an elderly lady named Daphne Russell whose first husband was Herbert “Bish” Bolton. Bish had been the skipper of the original Top Weight (II) in the 1948-49 season, but had been killed in an accident just after the end of that season. Daphne had little to do with sailing after that, but after renewing contact with the reappearance of Top Weight became an enthusiastic supporter and was a regular attendee on the spectator ferry in the early 2000’s.
SFS historian John “Steamer” Stanley dug up a trophy at the SFS known as the Bish Bolton Memorial Trophy, and it began to become more apparent that Bish Bolton was greatly admired when he died. The trophy was donated by SFS stalwart Bill Anderson who had bought the Norman Wright 6' beam 18-footer Jenny Too in 1948 and engaged Bish Bolton to steer. He came second in the first heat of the Australian Championship in January 1949 (to Norman Wright in Jenny III), and won a couple of races in March and April. But at the same time as he was racing Jenny Too on Saturdays at the SFS, he was also steering the 7' beamTop Weight on Sundays at the League. Bish and wife Daphne were on holidays in May 1949 just after the end of the season in Bowraville on the North Coast of NSW and Bish was helping a friend run a telephone line on a rural property when the line became live and electrocuted both of them.
Top Weight (II) with a bit on
Top Weight (II) with a bit on
Jenny Too in a similar shot. Bish Bolton steered Jenny Too on Saturdays at the SFS and Top Weight on Sundays at the League in the final season of his life. Tom Cuneo collection
The source of Bish’s nickname is unknown, but one newspaper report suggests that it was short for “Bishop”. He started sailing in 12-foot skiffs with the Double Bay Amateur 12-Foot Sailing Club in the 1930’s (along with his friend Cliff Monkhouse), and graduated to crewing in 18-footers. He skippered Gloria in the 1940-41 season, but is next reported as sheet hand for Ray Rawlings on Top Weight (I) in 1945. He also was head-hunted to be forward hand on Yendys in the SFS Club Championship in November 1941 which the boat won. In February 1947 he was brought in to steer Swansea at the League, a boat that had been an outstanding champion for several seasons and had won 12 races in the 1944-45 season when steered by the legend Billo Hayward but after Billo moved on the boat had not won a race.
Bish had no wins in the few races left in the season, but brought Swansea back to form with 5 wins in the 1947-48 season and one in the early part of the 1948-49 season. He moved over to Top Weight (II) in late November 1948.
Swansea being rigged on the beach at Double Bay. Bish Bolton family collection SFS
Swansea being rigged on the beach at Double Bay. Bish Bolton family collection SFS
Swinging out. Bish Bolton family collection SFS
The reaction to his early demise showed how popular and well-regarded Bish had been. The Double Bay 12-foot skiffs club, the League and the SFS all sent condolence letters to Daphne, and both the Double Bay 12’s and the SFS held Bish Bolton Memorial races. The SFS race was held on 25 March 1950 for which the trophy donated by Bill Anderson was awarded.
Jenny Too shadowing HCPress. John Stanley collection.
Daphne Bolton remarried and had a daughter and a grandson David Tetley, whom many will recognise as the photographer who occasionally comes on our spectator ferry and provides each boat with a wallet of great photos at the end of each season. The Bish Bolton trophy is now awarded to the winner of the Club Championship.
Bish Bolton (left) has the Jenny Too crew’s attention. Cliff Monkhouse is third from left. Bish Bolton family collection SFS.