LAYCOOK V. HOSMER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2127, 17 December 1880, Page 3

LAYCOOK V. HOSMER.

["Daily News," November 3rd.] Unusual interest attached to the meeting of Elias O. Laycock and George H. Hoemor over tbe championship course yesterday, from the fact that Australia and America have never previously been pitted Hgaicet each other on the water. We gave Laycook's performances in our account of his match with Blackman. George. JJ. Hosmer, of Boston, Massachusetts, came over a few w< eks ago to take part in tho Hop Bitters Regatta. He has coir pet ed in several matches and regattas in America, but so much absurd mystery is made of his previous performances, and of everything connected with him, that, though we applied personally both to himself and his trainer, we were unable to obtain any information. Wo believe him to be 21 years of age, sft 7in in height, and to weigh 9at 81b, though in this latter point there are one or two contradictory reports. Soon after landing he was taken ill, and also suffered from very bad blisters on his hands, which kept him out of his boat for some days. As soon as he recovered, however, he put in an immense amount of work, and, if anything, looked light and overdone. The Press boat left the Temple Pier at noon, and the run up to Putney was very pleasant, the bright frosty weather presenting a delightful contrast to the miserable weather in which all tho recent sculling matches have taken place. On arriving at the starting point wo found a very fair muster on the towing path, and some little speculation took place at 2 to 1 on Laycock. Shortly before one o'clock Hosmer, who was very conspicuous in a red and black jersey, blue drawers, and scarlet socks, sculled quietly down the middle of tho stream, and was quiokly followed by the Australian. The former created a very unfavourable impressiou in his preliminary spin, but there was so much money behind him that tho odds on Luycock gradually lessened, and 6 to 4 was taken freely on board the umpire's boat before tbe start. Harry Kelly showed up Laycock from the bow of an eight, and T. Green performed a similar office for Hosmer. The stare took place opposite the Star and Garter, instead of from the Aqueduct, so the men rowed fully 200 yards short of the usual course. There was little or no tide—indeed, the latter half of the journey was accomplished on the ebb. Under these circumstances no tirte was lost in getting ready, and when both men had stripped to tho buff and got to their stations—Hosmer, having won the toes, took the Middlesex side Mr Ireland, who officiated as referee, gave the word go, and got them off at the first attempt. The Press boat, wbioh had been moored to the Aqueduct, was 'left at tbe post," and, when she got fairly under way, the scullers were fully 300 yords off. Fortuuotely, however, the other three steamers did not intercept our view, and we wore able to count each man striking 40 to the minute, and to note that Hosmer at ones began to go away, and led by fully half a length at the Point. From there he increased hio lead, bus could never get quite clear, and, nearing the mile posh, Laycock began gradually to close up the gap. At the mile post, reached in omin. 7lseaa., they were as level ss pjseiblo, and a rattling race ensued up to the Soap Works (time 7min. 511-ssc), where the Australian showed in front for tho first time, and went through Hammersmith Bridge in 9 jo in. 31*ec. from tho start, with a lead of exactly a length. Then Hosmer made onother grand effort, and gained fully half a loDgth, but tbe spurt did not last long, and he soou dropped back again. Onco more his pilot called upon him, and responding in tho .gnmest possible fashion, he drow up again. A little further on, however, he was quite rowed out, and, about 40 yards below Obisviick Eyot, almost ceased work for a fow strokes. Laycock at onco shot right army, and held an advantage of fully threo lengths, when Hosmer, apparently much the

better for his " blow, " got to work in earnest agatn. Of course his chance was now qnite gone, but he rowed a very games stern chase and kept Layoook moving. The latter, however, having matters in his own hands, simply played witli his man, sometimes allowing him to gain a longth or so, and then going awiy again, and finally passed the winning post in 26.nin. Biaeo. from the start, the American being Usee, behind him. The contrast in the styles of the two men was very remarkable. Hoamer is certainly one of the uglio-t. scullers we ever saw. At each stroke his head drops until it almost touches his knees, and though he seems to make fair use of his slide, there appears to be a great waste of power, and he splashes terribly. The Australian does not slide very far, but his work, though he throws immense strongl h into it, does not appear to cost him any effort.