THE MATCH BETWEEN TRICKETT AND HANLAN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2060, 30 September 1880, Page 3

THE MATCH BETWEEN TRICKETT AND HANLAN.

We ('* 8. A. Register") have been favored by Mr Joseph Thompson with a letter from his brother Barney Thompson, who, it will be remembered, went to America some time back with tho object of arranging a match between Hanlan ard Trickett. Mr B. Thompson was instructed by his brother, tho " Leviathan," and other Australian believers in the powers of the New South Welshman, that if Hanlan would not come to Australia to make a match to be rowed in America ; but before Mr Thompson had had time to malie any arrangements negotiations were entered into by Mr Fitz-Wentworth, and the match which is to come off in England arranged. The letter received from Barney Thompson contains a very graphic description of the great rowing match in America for the HopBitters Prize, together with the author's opinion of Hanlan's sculling, as seen in that race, and a few remarks as to tho chance of the Australian representative in the great match which is to come off in England. Mr Thompson is considered a judge of rowing, and as we have not yet had the opinion of any person who has had the advantage of seeiDg both men thoroughly extended, hiß remarks are well worthy ot perusal by the thousands of colonists who are looking forward to the trial between the two champions. The Australian bookmaker, in hiß capacity of representative of Edward Trickett, was warmly welcomed on all hands by the rowing men of America, and in company with Mr Wilks, of the "Spirit of tho Times," he went down to Providence on June 17th to soe the great race of America —the Hop-Bitters Prize—rowed. There were ten competitors, including Boyd of England, Hanlan, and Wallace Ross. Mr Thompson says : —" I was introduced to the time-keeper and referee, Messrs Reid and Curtis (aquatic editor of the " Spirit of the Times"), and the latter gentleman assured me that he was very sorry Trickett had found a friend in England, because they had thereby lost tho greatest sight they had ever seen on their waters. I was beset with innumerable questions as to Australia, but think that I at leaßt succeeded in convincing my questioners that wo are civilised. Before going to the race I waß introduced to Hanlan. He is not" sft 9in in height, and weighod on the day of the race lOst lOlbs. To look at with his clothes on, he is not a man you would be struck with as a rower. He is a perfect gentleman, well educated, and has a style about him that any one would like. I looked at him in astonishment when he was introduced to me as Hanlan. Mr Curtis, noticing my surprise, remarked on it, and asked me whether I thought Trickett could boat him. I said, 'lf you take size into consideration I have but one opinion.' Hanlan itoked me how tall Triokett was, and on my telling him 6ft. 3.n., shook his head, and Baid, ' If he is a good one he will be hard wheat.' I told him he was a very good man, and not to hold him too cheap. He said, 'lf Trickett beats mo I will Bhake him by the hand and say, you are the best man in the world, and I hope he will do the same if I beat him.' He then invited me into his boat-house—this was just before the start for the race—and I there saw his boat. The patent row-looks and sculls are, as far as I could reoollect, just like Trickott's. The rowlocks are 'well out-bored,' which enables a man to go well forward ; but I might as well tell you, in case I forget it, that he does not seem to me to have tho quick recovery Ned has. But more of his style of rowing when I give you a description of the race. His sculls are 9ft Bin long, and the blade is 6i-in, with a slightly more spooned-shape than Trickett rows with. Mr Curtis was kind enough to give me a stand on the torpedo boat to witness the race. I might as well tell you that I ' fielded 'on the race. Mr Reid told me to put a hundred at any prioo on Hanlan, but I preferred to stick to the old game. They were laying 3tol on him. In fact, the ' pools' barred Hanlan, and sold Ross and Boyd, who were next favorites. When I saw Hanlan take his preliminary canter I would, if I had been on shore, have taken another hundred at 3 to 1 that he lost. He has a most beautiful, clean, scientific style of rowing, something the same as Messenger, of Melbourne, but he is a better puller than the Victorian, though, in my opinion, he lacks power ; and the idea of them telling you, as you have heard some Americans in Australia say when they speak about him, that his boat skims on the top of the water —none of that stopping after he recovers himself—it is all nonsense I think he leans too far back, and does not get the clean sweep Ned does. He does his work a little behind the rowlocks, which causes his boat to dwell a little ; but still he is a very neat sculler, and for a man of his size a little wonder. He has, however, never, lam certain, met Ned Trickett, or any man approaching him; and, although he was beaten in the race I saw, he has beaten all the men that rowed in it at other times, excepting Boyd. When the pistol was fired for them to ' Go,' every man—there were ten starters—struck tho water at onoe. I had my watch on Hanlan, and he was rowing thirty-seven to the minute. His station was No. 12, Boyd was next, No. 11, and Ross was No. 1. After they had gone a quarter of a mile, Hanlan got away from Boyd, and by the time they had gone a mile Robs and Hanlan were together several lengths in front of the others, pulling thirtyfive to the minute, and going stroke for stroke. It was a really fine Bight, and anyone who is a judge could see that Hanlan was doing his best. At one time I was within twenty yards of each man, and I could plainly see Hanlan grinding his teeth at his work, and Ross doing the same. When they had gone one mile and a half they were pulling thirty-two, and at this point Hanlan stopped for about a stroke, and then laid down to his work again, but Rob had got two lengths, ahead, I think, while Hanlan stopped. Quarter of a mile further Hanlan stopped again—as though in pain—for another stroke, and when they bad got to the two-mile stake—they row two mil a each way, and each man has his own stake to turn —Robb rowed five seeonds'in front of Hanlan, and the third man was thirty.five seconds behind Hanlan. They came sweeping back, Roes pulling a strong ste dy stroke, and as Hanlan was splashing, I knew, bar aooidents, which would win. As Ross pussed us we cheered him, and he said ' I've got him today.' When tbey had got about a quarter of a mile towards home, Hanlan stopped pulling, and held his side as though in pain. We went to him, and asked if we should take him in the boat. He thanked u«, and said he had a stitch in his side, but would get home all right. I have no doubt Hanlan was not as well as he might have been, though he assured me in the morning he was never bettor in his life ; but from the jump off he could never get away from R »ss, and even when he stopped the first time Ross was a little ahead of him. The winner is a fine youog man, and was in j splendid fettle. He said before the start, 'lf Hanlan wins today I will never row against him again.' He stands six feet, and is a powerful fellow and knows how to row. I have but one opinion as to the match between Trickett and Hanlan, and that j is, that ia if Ned is well he will beat Hanlan as ensily as any man he ever pulled against. I know Hanlan has no hotter stylo than Ned, and I. am certain he his not got the power. I am going over to England about the 16 h of July, and will see Ned and tell him all I kuow as to Hanlan and how the race was run. There are a great many here who think Hanlan never tried, but he triod, Joe, as hard as any mun ever tried to win. To give you an idea of these people's opinion—one man told mo Hanlan know I was there, and that was the renßon he did not win. The race was four mil b, and when they turned for home the water was rough. The wind blew strong, the water having a fine white cap on. The t fficial time wan 29oiin. SOscc. I made it half a s-cond quicker. In the excitement of the race I forgot to flee what time they did the first two miles in. Taking tho woather coming back into consideration, i I and having to turn a stake, it is not bad time i | if the distance is correct, and I have no doubt it is."