Hundreds watched ‘Boy’ Charlton take on Takaishi at Manly Baths
Following the great success of Manly swimmers at the 1924 Paris Olympics, agitation increased for Manly Council to repair and upgrade the tidal baths in east Manly Cove. The pressure was successful and tenders were invited in October 1924 for construction of a new main building on the land, a new tidal Olympic-standard bathing enclosure and a 1,400-seat grandstand. The official opening of the new Municipal Swimming Baths was on 30 October, 1926 and the cost was £13,528.
Two Japanese swimmers, Katsuo Takaishi and Takahiro Saito, visited Australia between late 1926 and early 1927. They swam in various events but in Sydney they competed at the NSW Championships, which were held in the Domain Baths on 8 and 12 January, 1927, and in the brand new Manly Baths on Saturday 15 January, 1927.
Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton, the Manly swimmer and Olympic champion who had moved to Gunnedah, came out of retirement to swim against Takaishi. He was victorious in the 880 yards and 440 yards at the Domain – the 880 in a new world record time – but Takaishi turned the tables in the 220 yards at Manly. Saito also won his event at the Manly carnival, the 110 yards backstroke.
The photo shows just how popular competitive swimming was in the 1920s. Not only were the baths packed to beyond capacity, but an enterprising soul moored a vessel alongside and sold tickets to watch from the upper decks.
Charlton’s performance at the Domain in the 880 yards showed just how good he was over the longer distances. He had only a one-month preparation for the meeting with Takaishi yet, while the two swimmers were almost level at the halfway mark, Charlton went on to win by a lap, reducing the world record by over five seconds.
Richard Michell is the vice-president of the Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Historical Society and the secretary of Friends of Dee Why Lagoon. Visit mwphs.org.au and fodyl.au