SPOTLIGHT                                       carriacouregatta.com

John L. RIGGS                                          

In the Mariner's prospective, in fact to all Carriacouans concern, John Linton Riggs died a noble death having left them a legacy – a boost to their boat building industry. His contribution was the gem of an idea which grew and blossomed, and advanced to different stages of maturity over a two decade period.

Very much in the spot light every year is the memory of the late J. Linton Riggs as we celebrate successive regattas. The 70 year old man who came to this 13sq. mile territory was Jamaican born, the grandson of an Anglican Bishop, son of a clergyman and an American woman. He was educated as a naval architect designer. Linton Riggs had 40 years of yachting experience, cruising in American and British waters, the Baltic sea and the West Indies . He had been in some eight Bermuda races on trans-Atlantic Races; he held many prominent positions – Burgers, Yacht Brokers Partner, Linton Riggs & Co., Chairman of the Board of small vessels. He was a very senior member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club of London, England and the Royal Nassau Sailing Club of Nassau Bahamas . While in the boat “Cay Exuma”, he founded the outer Island Regatta – an annual gathering of yachtsmen who sail or race, then watch the boat race in George Town habour for big prize money.

He left at age 65 to cruise the entire Caribbean on his boat “The Island Belle”, for facts and truth. As a result he was the author of two excellent Cruising guides – “ The Bahamas Islands ” and “ Alluring Antilles ”. He contributed numerous articles to yachting magazines.

After the depth of an exploration, he chose as his paradise, Carriacou – a haven of peace. He established the Mermaid Tavern and became a hotelier.

It was not long after his arrival in 1960 that he had the great idea of organizing a Carriacou Regatta, and in 1965 he laid down plans for his first regatta. He wrote letters, broadcast publicity by press and radio (WIBS) . He gathered support in the form of naval vessels from Governments, and money from Merchants as well as anyone else within his voice or pen. He traveled to Bequia in the north and Grenada in the south publishing the proposed Regatta.

He had his frustrating moments when plans on the Island seemed not to be taking the right course, but with the able assistance of the District Officer (D.O) of Carriacou and Ben Lawerence, Linton Riggs eventually found himself Saturday August 1 st 1965 Starting off the first race from Grenada end, and arriving punctually in Carriacou by the H.M.S Trinity to see the entrance of the first yacht “Flica” enter the Hillsborough habour and in its wake carrying the challenge posed to yachts over the years to come.

The M.V “Starlight” and other boats entered the habour with every inch of their decks crowded with visitors. Despite the fact that at the inception of the races boats milled around getting in each others way, and Linton Riggs used his hailer to bellow his frustration, the out come of the First Carriacou Regatta was indeed a success which paved the way for the institution it has become.

The Objective was to put Carriacou on the Map – to encourage the Building of more and faster working sail boats, to give the sailors and yachtsmen a chance to mix, and at the same time make some Money for his tavern.

By 1968 he had a monster fiesta going. Competition was keen and the popular Shipwright “Zephrine McLaren built jointly with Mr. Riggs in design and cash the sloop “Mermaid”.

At first Linton Riggs complained of inadequate help, but help did come. With Regatta well on the way the Government took over and Linton Riggs grudgingly passed on the responsibility.

Linton Riggs showed his concern for the upliftment of the Island by requesting from Government better water supply, more reliable electricity and an airport. Later he was awarded the title O.B.E (Officer of the British Empire ) as a reward for his contribution to Carriacou.

Having sold the Mermaid tavern to Tom and Betsy Vickery, he retired permanently at his home at “Tranquility” in Windward. Among his close friends were the Kent family, Zephrine McLaren, Wilfred Redhead (D.O), Nancy Riker, the Vickeries, the Peters family who looked after him and his brother Bunny who visited him regularly among other relatives.

In 1975 he became Ill and traveled abroad for medical care. During his last days his thoughts seemed to have been very much centered on his “Mermaid” (Boat ). At age 81 his health deteriorated and in a little cemetery in Windward is the Inscription.

"Linton Riggs had hardly settled down in Carriacou before he started looking for something to do. One would have thought that for a man of his age (70), he would have had enough on his hands trying to run a hotel (Mermaid Tavern). But he was itching to do something which would popularize Carriacou for all times". Wilfred Redhead (D.O) , 1979

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