AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1848, 24 January 1880, Page 3

AQUATICS.

HAWDON AND FORSTER ON THE TYNE, FOR £IOO. ["The Sportsman."] This match was decided for £SO a side between Wrightson Forster, of Gateshead, and John Hawdon, of Delaval, over about a mile on the Tyne, the course being from two boats moored one hundred yards below Paradise Quay to Scotswood Suspension Bridge. Hawdon scaled 10st 131 b, Forster 10st 91b, and both rowed in boats by Swaddle and Winship. Forster was the first to show, and he embarked in the Matthew Guorge, from. Hepplewhite's Quay, at Danaton, as a quarter-past eleven. His example was followed ten minutes later by Hawdon, who took his seat in the James Percy in front of the Northern Rowing Club boathouse. So far there had been scarcely any betting on board the official steamer, as Forster's supporters were asking odds of 5 to 2, which would not be laid except in one or two instances. When the toss for side 3 occurred, however, Forster's friends took courage, and a few bets were recorded at 7 to 4 on Hawdon. There wa3 so much money on the last-named that the odds quickly lengthened, and ultimately the Delaval sculler was backed at 2 to 1 on for a large sum. There was not much in the matter of po-itions to justify the hopes which the pick of water seemed to kindle among Forster's friends. The wind lulled completely just before the start, and all that Forster yaiued %vas the advantage accruing from being on the inside of the l>end. Thia was but slight owing to Mr Blenlunsop having had the starting-boats moored well out towards the south, so that there was just the Jeast divergence from a straight line, looking from Hawdon's stake-boat to the finish. At halfpast eleven the men backed to their stakeboats, and stripped. Hawdon showed a bright, clear skin, and a hard, if not muscular, appearance. Forster's body had a healthy ruddy hue, and he seemed very strong, and trained to the hour. When the men had got their boats properly set they bent forward to the stroke and went off at the first attempt. The first few strokes were pulled very deliberately, but Forster immediately threw all hia energy into his work, and striking with immense power at a rate of 40 to the minute, at once forced his way to the front. Although maintaining this high pressure he seem-.id to be quite at his ease, for he was looking about him in the coolest possible manner. He drew out half a length in the first fifty yards, and had added another quarter to his lead when Paradise Quay was passed. Hawdon had "opened fire " in his usual nonchalant sty'e, and he had gone so far with a light even dip of 36 to the minute, at which he impress d one as being able to go on indefinitely. However, the way in which his opponent was leaving him seemed to rouse him up a bit, and increasing his rate of striking to 38 after they had gone a hundred yards, he began to close up again quickly with Forster, who had by this time lessened his rate of striking. Hawdon's approach put him on his mettle again, and making a terrific spurt he once more drew out and had almost a length to his credit when they had gone two hundred and fifty yards. It needed all his power, however, to stall off Hawdon »t the rate the latter was going, and it was only by a series of these exhausting s;urt3 that he was able to hold the lead he had assumed up to the quarter-mi'e point. Here Hawdon, who improved the furthe" he went, warmed up, and, putting in a dashing stroke of 40 to the minute, shot right up level with his antagonist. The race was now intensely exciting, and a lively scene was presented on the river banks right up from Delaval jetty to the Suspension bridge, where some thousands of people were massed. The extraordinary efforts with which the Gateshead sculler had hitherto forced the pace began to have their natural effect, and signs became visible. When Hawdon dashed up to him he rolled uneasily in his boat, and his strokes became less regular, and les3 evenly pull- d through. He still refused to be beaten, and the Delaval sculler had to put forth all he knew in order to outpace him. As they passed Elswick Colliery jetty, which was

: nearly half the distance, Hawdon seemed to be leading by a few feet, but the men were so wide apart that their relative positions were difficult ";o determine. At this point, although a hot race was still maintained, the issue was past doubting, for Hawdon, driving along with a neat, smartly-worked strike of 38 to the minute, defied the gamest efforts and most desperate spurts of Forster, who, by these tactics, was only shortening the duration of the contest. The latter came with one of these rushes at the bottom of Scotawood Haughs, where Hawdon was rather more than half a length ahead, and his big hold on the water, reminded one forcibly of Hanlan. By this effort he reduced the lead to two or throe feet, but Hawdon, answering tho signal of Percy, who was acting as his mentor, spurted in reply, and again drew out. Forster continued his efforts right up to within two hundred yards of the finish, where ho was done with, and Hawdon, easing down, paddled homo a winner by two !engths. Time, Gmi.j. SSsec. Forster was so tired that he stopped before reaching the bridge, but Hawdon finished quite fresh. CHARLEY PRICE. Charley Price, of London (holder of the ten miles Astley belt) won a twenty mihs running race at Maddison square Gardens, New York, on October 20th, in 2hours Bmin 3scc. In the same race there was a prize for the leader at ten miles, which was taken by James M'Leavy, of Bouhill, Scotland. 'lime, 57min Saee.

THE LONG DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND. A match for the long distance championship belt of England, presented by Sir J. D. Astley and last won by (" B'ower ") Brown at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, April 201 h, IS7O, with 542 miles, has been arranged between Brown, the present holder, Hazael, and Samuel Day, to take place at Manchester or London, on Monday, May 2nd, ISSO The match, in addition to the belt, is for £IOO a side, go as you please, and will be open for four weeks from November 21st to any who may wish to enter. The " Sporting Life" is stakeholder, and will appoint referees, timekeepers and scorers. The gate receipts, after all expenses have been paid, will bo divided in the same manner as previous matches, no man to receive any portion of the money if he fails to cover 450 miles. MR A. W. SINCLAIR v. TIME. UNPRECEDENTED PERFORMANCE. At sixteen minutes and a few seconds past 9 o'clock yesterday (says the " Sportsman") was commenced the greatest feat of amateur walking that has ever been accomplisheil, Mr A. W. Sinclair, of the North London A.C., starting with the intention of beating all past records from twenty-six miles to fifty miles inclusive. It will be in the remembrance cf our readers that a short time since Mr Siuclair attempted to concede a start of a minute and a half to Mr Hoodless in three miles, and was beaten very easily. On that occasion he was too highly trained and very weak, but yesterday he had put on another 51b, and was fit to go for a man's life. It is a strange but true fact that in the metropolis when a grand performance is accomplished the public generally stand aloof, and such a one as yesterday, had it been up north, would have drawn a company numbering thousands where tens were represented at Lillie bridge. The day, with the exception of a strong wind about noon, when the plucky athlete was a bit queer, was all that could be desired until the last four miles, when a heavy mist slotvly dragged itself across the ground, much to the detriment of the walker. As remarks were made ("Perhaps he mixes on the off side? ") our representative took up his position at the back stretch and went to and fro, and we can therefore state that his style was as fair there as when passing the company ; in fact, with the exception of Mr R Harry Nunn, a fairer walker never put on a shoe To thoroughly estimate the excellence of the feat we may eliaw our readers' attention to the fact that for upwards of fourteen years Mr F. Pace's record for eight, nine, and ten miles, accomplished by him at the Prince of Wales's Ground, Bjw, March 11th, 18C5, has remained intact, despite the numerous attempts to beat it. At divers times single records have gone under, but only piecemeal, and now, at one attempt, this prince of walkers from eight miles upwards, with the excoption of Worrall's 3 hours Smin 353ec for twenty mile 3, has made the doings of the past nil, finishing with such a sprint as one would expect at the conclusion of one mile. We may mention that Mr Sinclair attempted this fear, simply to beat record, having but a few paltry bets at certain distances, but his ambition is to go to America and try conclusions with the Yankee crack, C. Connor, or any other they may bring against him. The performance speaks for it elf, and further comment would be aupoiiluous, but a word of praise is due to his trainer and attendant, T. Sheppard and Chappell, for the careful way they looked after him, more especially when he went a bit queer, just about the eighteenth mile. Mr Siuclair is but twenty-nine years of age, and does not shape as a walker, as he, although blessed with a fairish " top," runs to gras3 a trifle be-low. Messrs. T. Griffith and Deplidge conjointly acted as referee and timekeeper, and Mr W. Mason checked the lap 3. Mr Sinclair accomp'ished 50 miles in S hours 25 min 25Jsecs.

BICYCLE RIDING. SOME INSTANCES OP "REMARKABLY FAST TIME MADE. [" San Francisco Call."] The bicycle followed the velocipede as inevitably as the balloon followed the kite, or the modern steamboat the rude raft of primitive peoples. Like the many other great inventions of the nineteenth century, it is d< stined to play an important part in aiding the progress of civilisation. Although not so rapid a traveller as light or electricity, it already outstrips the horse, distances the pedestrian and bids fair to equal the speed of the flying locomotive. Secure, easy of control, tireless and available, it enables the skilful bicyclist to laugh at danger and bid defiance to the perils which menace the equestrian and railroad passenger. It never grows huDgry. It requires no expensive motor or costly tramway. It will travel in narrow space. It is light and easy of transportation. It forms a pleasanb and healthful exercise Mounted upon it, the traveller glides along with smooth, graceful and exhilarating motion. The business man, by its aid, ignores the existence of streetcars and hacks. A few quick revolutions of its wheels, and he has traversed the distance frum oflic; to office, with but little expenditure of strength and no wear of shoe leather. The lover fortunate to have a bicycle flies to the residence of his mistress at the rate of twenty miles an h;ur. Within the past few months bicycle ridina has rapidly gained in popularity in this city, and is becoming a favorite sport. The feats accomplished by bicyclists in this country and in England are remarkable. The greatest number of miles ever made by bicyclists in a six days "go-as-you please " match is 1401. This match took place in London. The six days go-as-you please bicycle contest which occurred in Loudon between the 18th and 22nd of No vember, IS7S, was a very interesting one. The competitors rode eighteen hours out of every twenty-four during the six days- The score at the end of the first eighteen hours' travel was 22G.V miles; of the second, 422 i ; of the third, 613 5 10 ; of the fourth, 79GJ ; of the fifth 94G3 ; of the sixth, 10G0. The greatest number of miles yet made in a 72 hours' "go as-you please" match is CIS 5lGfchs. The fastest mile was made in 2:54;,'. The fastest hundred miles was made in 7n. Smin. 55sec In the four days' bicycle contest, which closed in Boston recently, there were five cuutcstauts, named Terront, Cann, T. Harrison, Rollinson, and G. Harrison, who covered all the distance they could. Terront made GOO miles, Cann G2S, T. Harrison -100, Rollinson 321, and G. Harrison 44.0 O.i the last night, between S o'clock and 11.35, when the contest ended, Terront made' 39 miles, Cann 16, T. Harrison 28, Rodinson 13, G. Harrison 24. The race began during each of the four days at nine a.m. and closed at twelve at night—that is, the men had fifteen working h ura a day, or sixty hours in all, to m-ke the most number of miles in they could. The prizes were, 500 d ds. for the man making the la-gest number of milci ; 250 lols. for the second best, and lOOdols for the third winner. To the other competitors, 40 lols. ottered to those making 500 mi'es, SOdols to those making 550, and GOdols. to thQsg making <)00 miles.