CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

Evening Star, Issue 4163, 30 June 1876, Page 3

CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

[By a Spiritualistic Medium.]

At Putney on Tuesday, 27th June, loud cheering greeted Saddler, the supposed best puller in the world, as he jumped into his boat with the air of a man who had nothing to do beyond grasping his sculls and looking serenely over the glassy old Thames, neandering gently towards the sea. Saddler looked the picture of an Englishman, not too elongated nor shortened, but with a

oheit on him as if built to order—one who might be expected to do battle successfully with such a tall Australian as Trickett, who was also loudly cheered as he took hia seat in a boat—a beauty, built expressly for him by Chips of the Tyne. 'the Antipodean looked the picture of health, his training having been carefully attended to by Kelly, and with a smile on his face, but looking a trifle anxious, gave his backers strong hopes to take more two's to one about him. The hour fixed for starting was 4 p.m., and within five minutes of the appointed time Mr Fairplay fired off his pistol, close to the ear of one of Trickett's admirers, who was close alongside, standing at the paddle-box steamboat of " Citizens' No. 1, shouting, "I'll take tv/o to one.'' He tumbled into the river, and was pulled out, amid cheering, and cries of " Billy Ducks, dry up." These jeers were soon drowned by the more exciting—"They're off." The men quickly got to work, Trickett, who was longer in the reach, leading the champion by about a length. Passing the soap works they stuck close together. A tremendous cheer from 'the towing-path, from trees barges, and boats, and every available spot from whence the race eould be seen, now rent the summer air—such a cheer as might have been heard at Parramatta. The Australian was now seen to draw his boat clear of Saddler, and shouts arose of " Even on Trickett!" "Go it, Saddler!" "Trickett beats him !" This state of things lasted but for a short distance ; Saddler, like a piece of machinery, set to work, and half-a-dozen vigorous strokes brought him abreast of the Australian; another half-dozen cleaved him, and thus they came past round the bend and into the straight, away for Mortlake. About a quarter of a mile from home the race came to an untimely finish. Trickett was beginning to show a slight inclination to 'possum; but he put on a tremendous and last spurt, which smashed his right scull close to the blade. Trickett was, as a matter of course through the accident, oars de combat, and was picked up. Saddler pulled under the bridge to the ship, and, haying.resumed his belt, waited in his usual quiet way to interview Trickett, who had to get a fresh scull before he could join the champion in drinking the toast of the day—- " Advance Australia."