One of the best parts of looking at the Hall Collection at the Australian National Maritime Museum is finding groups of images I can pin down to having been likely to have been taken on the one day, and especially rewarding when I can pin down the era, even the season, and occasionally to the one race. This group is of a race starting in Mort Bay, and the stage of construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background of the first 2 of the images means they must have been taken in the 1929-1930 season, and probably relatively early rather than late in the season. The position of boats soon after the start suggests that this was a scratch start rather than a handicap. I can only find 2 Championship races reported in that season, one in December and one in February, but there were probably others. The February race was held on the main Harbour course, the one held on Sunday 8 December 1929 was held up River on what was termed the Iron Cove course, and the conditions and the boats taking part closely match the sparse race report for that day, so it is quite possible that this is that race, GERARD (Horrie Balkwell) was the winner, followed by CORNSTALK  (Chook Fraser) and PLANET (Wee Georgie Robinson).

Soon after the start in Mort Bay, JEAN (P&O flag) leads THELMA with 2 bars, usually steered by Bob Lundie, PLANET with ball in triangle (although this could possibly be NIMROD, usually steered by Alf Appleton), TRUANT with Maltese Cross, GERARD with AUSN flag, ALICE with circle (Harry McGoogan) and GWEN with 4-pointed star, usually steered by Tony Russell. Harbour Bridge construction gives date 1929-30.​

PLANET (if the triangle is red) or NIMROD (if blue) either before the start or near a turning mark in Mort Bay. PLANET was 30 years old at this point.

GERARD (Horrie Balkwell) the winner in the race of 8 December 1929.

CORNSTALK (Chook Fraser) seen here in Mort Bay placed 2nd on that day.

Above and below:Two views of ALICE (Harry McGoogan)

JEAN working back North from the bottom mark in Iron Cove. GERARD is ahead closer to Cockatoo Island.

Another shot of CORNSTALK off Balmain.