Peter Kemp - World champion sculler

The sport of sculling was flourishing throughout the world in the latter half of the nineteenth century, particularly in Australia. Australians were dominating the sport and pulling in huge crowds of spectators, particularly along the Parramatta and Hawkesbury River. The professional sport of sculling remained popular until around the onset of World War 1.

Peter Kemp from the Windsor & Richmond Gazette 7 June 1890

Peter Kemp 1853-1921

Peter Kemp was well-known in the sport and was born and bred in the Hawkesbury. Peter was born 15 November 1853, the son of Peter Kemp, a convict who arrived in 1832, and Sophia nee Huxley. As a boy growing up near the mouth of the Colo River, he taught himself to row on both the Colo and Hawkesbury Rivers. His first race was against William Grono, another well-known Hawkesbury family. Kemp became interested and participated in several small events including a race in 1873 with his brother, Thomas. They beat William and Alexander Grono in a double sculls event, the times was thirty-three minutes over the four mile event.

Considered a late starter, his first important race was against George Solomon on the Hawkesbury River, he was then aged thirty-one years old. In 1884 as a virtual unknown, he raced against the superior sculler, Neil Matterson. Kemp led for half the race but then became ill. Following some controversy he attracted the attention of champion Bill Beach (1850-1935) and travelled to England with him as his protégé in 1886. He performed badly and was harshly criticised by the press both here and in England. On his return to Australia he started a training program, and actively exercised. In 1887 he once again met Matheson at a race on the Parramatta River which he won with little effort.

At another event, Bill Beach reigning champion, beat Canadian sculler Edward Hanlan at a race on the Nepean which Beach won. Kemp then challenged Beach however Beach decided to retire and under the rules of rowing, this made Kemp the World Sculling Champion. The sculling world was stunned and the press had a field day claiming the situation was rigged and Kemp was not worthy as the title holder. In 1888 a race was held at Parramatta between Kemp and his rival Hanlan. Huge crowds flocked the riverbanks and large bets were made. Kemp won the race and silenced his critics; he was then hailed as a brilliant oarsman. At his peak in 1888, Kemp's physical measurements were recorded in the newspaper. He was described as a strongly built, muscular man, with a wonderful freedom and dash in his stroke. His height was recorded as 5' 9"  with a chest of 40" and 14" biceps. His rowing weight was recorded as 11 stone 4 pound. The Windsor & Richmond Gazette reported that the Americans were keen for Kemp to travel to their country and organise a race between the American champion John Teemer and Kemp.

Hanlan challenged Kemp again several months later, however Kemp easily won the race and he finally the undisputed World Champion. Following this race, Kemp was challenged by Henry Searle (1866-1889) an unknown sculler who was quickly being recognised as a champion. Searle beat Kemp to become the champion, however he died suddenly in 1889 and under the rowing rules, Kemp then reclaimed the title. After several more wins Kemp was finally beaten by John McLean in 1890.

Peter Kemp was married in 1874 in Windsor to Henrietta Jones, the daughter of William Jones and Catherine Elkin. They had nine children but sadly Henrietta died, following the birth of daughter Bertha in 1891. Kemp married a second time to Bertha Lawler in 1891 and there were two more children born. Peter Kemp passed away on the 1 December 1921 at Summer Hill and is buried at Rookwood. His obituary was published in the Windsor and Richmond Gazette 9 December 1921.