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Bintang Terang and Roso

Tony CableCYC Archives Committee

The CYCs Coasters Retreat incorporates, MickleboroughsCorner.Occupied and influenced by Don, at least weekly. It is alsofrequented, by members of his various redundant crews. (Some ofthese tend to be on the larrikin side of the ledger.) Often, they arereunited with a steady stream of like genre visitors, regularlyappearing from parts worldwide.

Looking over at the group, others would wonder what those oldblokes were talking about? Not realizing that it was all actually

good stuff. Even though, the pick of the stories, are rehashed toomuch. But you see? The repetition is helpful to them, preventingthem from not forgetting the anecdotes. Even, if the accuracy ofthe details actually evolves over time.

One chap, who has been coming in regularly, is 1958 vintage CYCmember, Rob McAuley. His first of 7 Hobarts, was on Metung, withtrips also on Tahuna, Southerly and Astor in 60.61,62.

The point of mentioning McAuley, is that the other night, he also

related, an anecdote. One, about a chap he called Roso (pron.Rose oh), who he had sailed with on Astor, when they won linehonours, 1961. As it happened, I also know Roso.

He was referring to Bruce Rosenberg, now a retired stockbrokerand one time Trading Floor Operator for Mullens & Co. Sydney.As such, he was a contemporary of another one of our regulars,Bruce Jacko Jackson, who had held the same job then, in theearly 60s.

I too, was also there, on the Floor, as an original Chalk Boy.There were two further coincidences. First, I moved on to theabove Mullens, as a Share Clerk. Second, I then worked therebeside former CYCA Commodore, John Messenger. Yes, I was atthe next desk to Messo 50 years ago!

Having set up all of this background Ill continue with McAuleysstory.

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Rosenberg got his first ride to Hobart in 1957 on the first everSingapore entry. Bintang Terang (translated, Bright Staraccording to my recent cab driver.)

Here is a copy of her write up from the 1957 Hobart Raceprogramme:

-----------------------------

Thornycroft had an inspired design. One might today describe it asa hybrid. It took the essential features of a dhow, sampan, junkand bumboat and melded them into a ----- slow boat.

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The design philosophy gave her lines, which were as delicate asthose of a WW11 Corvette (which after all, was originally from awhale ship plan.)

How long must it have taken to sail her from Singapore? It took

them days to do the Hobart. Doubtless fortuitously, assisted by thefact that she was going down hill and perhaps, assisted with areally good current!

She tookover a week (7-5-13-12),arriving LAST, almost two daysafter the previous; Four Winds.(5-14-18-43).

Now to close on McAuleys punch lines:

After finally making it across the line, for his first Hobart Roso

walked into the bar of the Franklin, by Constitution Dock. Just as,hed been told to do, by his mates.

Most crews had long gone and the bar was empty, except for oneburley old waterfront chap, sitting alone.

With some truculence he asked the fresh faced newcomer.

Which boat did you come down on sonny?

Roso proudly announced,

Bintang Terang

(Being green, he would not have known that the chap using thelocal argot in conversation, would have actually called it, theSydney Race)

Upon this, the local said menacingly,

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!

I DREW YOU IN THE SWEEP!

*************

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Appendix:I must confess with humbleness, that I wrote the above descriptionof Bintangs design, rather disparagingly. After writing this, I laterfound the following portfolio of quality historical photos on theNational Archives site. These, providing great Hobart history from

1957.

At this late stage of my racing career, I unreservedly apologise forthe tenor of my earlier remarks. Bintang surely, is a dream vesselto do a Hobart on. Why?

Comfortable and way up above the water.No rail riding.Sleeping to leeward, (to help the angle); warm.Lunches; Singapore Chilli Crab, with Singah.

Boat song; Id like Ta Get, Ya. On a Slow Boat Ta China.An opportunity, for plenty of sea time.

When is she coming down again?

(All pictures herein, in this series are Copyright Acknowledged from NationalArchives. Reprinted here for non-commercial purpose.)

Crew members o f the 65-foot ketch " Bintang Terang" of Singapore await the startof the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race in Sydney Harbour. (Left to right).Tony Saville (12)of Sydney, Stephen Kian Lee and Ray Brook (Malayan mining engineer).Photo JohnTanner. 1958

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The crew of the 65-foot ketch "Bintang Terang" of Singapore prepares for the start ofthe Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race in Sydney Harbour. (Left to right) Stephen Kian Lee,Ray Brook (Malayan mining engineer) and owner-skipper Captain C.H.Hill-Willis.

Solo overseas entry among the 20 yachts was a 65-foot Ketch "Bintang Terang"owned and skippered by Captain C.H. Hills-Willis, retired harbour master ofSingapore, who sailed his craft to Sydney especially to sail in the race.

(A great professional shot- T.C,)

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Stephen Kian Lee, first Singapore crewman of Chinese parentage to take part in theSydney-Hobart annual yacht race, aboard Singapore ketch Bintang Terang on arrival

at Hobart. In the background is the Hobart Customs House. Photo, D.Stephens.

Stephen Kian Lee aboard Singapore ketch Bintang Terang at Hobart with Skipper-owner Capt. Hill-Willis and the Captain's daughter Elizabeth. Photo D Stephens

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Stephen Kian Lee aboard Singapore ketch Bintang Terang at Hobart with Skipper-owner Capt. Hill-Willis. Photo, D. Stephens.

Bruce Rosenberg line honours Astor 1961

Photo credit. The Sydney Hobart My 21 Years. Brian Curtis, 1981 Libra Books.

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Bruce Rosenberg sitt ing S.W. Corner; (bare feet in those days.).

Left, next to him black shirt & cap Bill Twitty Bill Thompson (+deceased). Leftshoulder, Garry Wheatly (+). Kneeling, Sandy Sonstrum, Terry Swanson,above him, in beanie, Rob McAuley, Next (dark shirt) Brian Vasco da GamaWarne (+), Smoking, Dr Bill Hughes (+), Ted Roberts. Brian,The Bird Dog,

Lancaster. Next to boom, Dale Munro. On left shoulder, skipper Peter Warner,(white hat). Hand on boom, Max Crafoord (+), left of Max at top, JohnBurgess.

Acknowledgements:

Rob McAuley for the story and editorial help. Also, for production assistance SteveOld and Jennifer Crooks, (CYC Communications Officer).

Tony Cable