THOMAS AND EMMETT FOR £200.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1899, 25 March 1880, Page 2

THOMAS AND EMMETT FOR £2OO.

The race between Harry Thomas, of Putney, and Frank Emmett, of Jarrow-on-Tyne, for £IOO a side, over the Thames Championship Course, has been brought to an issue. It had been announced that a start must be effected at 2.30 punctually, as an exceptionally high tide was anticipated, and it was desired that the steamers should be enabled to pass beneath Hammersmith bridge. Accordingly, some little time prior to the hour mentioned, the beats backed to the Aqueduct, and, as usual, made fast to the buttresses. The steamboats were well patronised, and as the gathering on board included most of the well-known supporters of aquatics, some brisk speculation was confidently looked for. Considerations as to the relative chances of the rival scullers, and, indeed, respecting everything else save the speedy attainment of shelter, were soon driven to the winds, for the most terrific storm of the day now burst over the river. A perfect hurricane raged. Pain was succeeded by hail, and then by a sharp shower of what must really be described as jagged pieces of ice, which seemed to literally cut their way into the skin. The scene on the water was now extraordinary. Heavy waves crested with foam extended right along the reach to the Crab Tree, and the roughness of the surface grew momentarily worse. The two steamers became utterly unmanageable, the umpire’s boat being blown broadside on and firmly wedged between the buttresses of the Aqueduct. No attempt could be made to dislodge her from this position for a considerable time, and the only course open was to wait until the storm abated. As for the stake boats it was almost a matter for marvel how they rode out the tempest, as they were dashed about in all directions. It really seemed as though the race would have to be abandoned, for a eoulling boat could scarcely have lived amongst the heavy rollers on the river. In about half an hour, luckily, the tornado had partially exhausted itself, and the scullers then got afloat, being attended down to the Aqueduct by their cutters. In the bow of that detailed to direct Emmett up river J. H. Clasper had taken his place, whilst Harry Kelley, in the unfortunate absence of George Drewitt, officiated on behalf of Thomas. Thomas scaled list 2ilb, or only l£lb more than when he competed with Cannon. He rowed in the same boat as he used in his previous match, the Kate. Emmett’s weight was list, and he rowed in a new boat built by J. H. Clasper, and named the Robert Moore. Speculation opened by Mr J. Moore, the Jarrow sculler’s supporter, laying Mr Bush £6O to £4O. A few minutes more 7 to 4 was betted, and then on it becoming known that Emmett had won the toss, 2 to 1 on the northerner was freely laid. The men were nearly an hour late ere they made any preparation for the commencement of hostilities, and even then another vexatious hindrance occurred. Emmett selected the Surrey station —a position, by the way, which conferred upon him an immense advantage, as thereby be would bo enabled to hug the shore right away to Oorney Beach, and thus gain shelter from the wind. Just before the start Mr Moore laid £IOO to £4O on Emmett twice, and 3 to 1 was then asked for. At the third attempt the men caught the water at the same moment. Thomas seemed to get way on his boat with extraordinary rapidity. The water was very rough and broken through which ho had to progress, but he feathered high and kept his sculls well clear of it. During the flrst minute ho struck 34, and pulling his stroke right through ha threw all his strength into his efforts. Emmett was no leas sharp in commencing, and he inaugurated his performance with a series of long sweeping pulls, which got his boat along well. Still, he did not travel with such speed as hie rival, who, off the Star and Garter, had assumed half a length’s load. By the aid of about half a dozen powerful strokes Emmett drew up nearly level when off the Duke’s Head, and continuing his exertions seemed like cutting out the work. Thomas, however, was too wary to be left in the rear, and replying with a smart effort, he shook off his man, and once more forged ahead. Emmett now slowed down considerably, and in addition, caught the water once or twice whilst recovering, which materially retarded his progress. Thomas now seemed to have warmed to his task, and persevered with the utmost vigor. Off Walden’s Wharf the Putney sculler had contrived a lead of over three lengths. His time to the Dung Wharf was smin 52sec, and to the Crab Tree 7min 47see, his lead at this point being nearly four lengths. Right a«ay to the Soap Works he was kept as closely as possible to the Surrey shore, whore the water was in fairly good

condition, and it may be added that Emmett pretty closely followed his example. The Soap Works-bridge was passed by Thomas in 9min 12jeo, and by Emmett in 9min 22sec. Very little change in the relative positions of the scullers occurred until Hammersmithbridge was reached, as will be gained by the appended times, namely, Thomas llmin Isec, Emmett 11 min 12sec. Off Biffen’s Boathouse and the Doves the river was very surfy, but Thomas seemed to positively revel in it, for he chose this spot for making a vigorous effort to increase his lead. So powerfully did he manipulate his sculls that at the Oil Mills he was showing the way by six lengths, and still appeared to be rowing well within himself. Never once did he sp’ash or evince symptoms of being discommoded by the broken water, and his craft skipped along buoyantly. Emmett, on the contrary, seemed to have had about enough of it, and fagged in his work, whilst now and again he threw the spray aloft with his sculls. But little more can be added, as the race, to all intent* and purposes, had long ere this been over. Thomas shot by Chiswick Church in ISmin. 22 secs, Emmett being SOseca. behind. The remaining times were :—Barnes bridge— Thomas, 24min. S4secs.; Emmett, 25min. 15*©cs.; and the Ship at Mortlake—Thomas, 30min. 48aecs.; and Emmett, 31min. 7secs. j all as taken by Benson’s chronograph.