THE GREAT SCULLING RACE

Kumara Times, Issue 895, 13 August 1879, Page 4

THE GREAT SCULLING RACE

Between Hanlon of Toronto, and Hawdon, of Delaval, on the Tyne, FOR £4OO, CONDENSED FROM Bell’s Life. Never has a race produced so much in tereat as this one, especially among the Tynesidera. No t withstanding the depression of trade, the whole neighborhood of the coal metropolis was roused to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. The weight of money from the other side of the Atlantic soon brought the Canadian to 2 to 1 on him, and that caused a depression in the betting. Not only did the race under notice create a vast amount of excitement before the contest took place, but the issue has caused great wonderment among the rowing men of this country; and as the Americans taught us the use of a sliding seat a few years ago, it hasalso fallen to the lot of scullers from tho other side of the Atlantic, to introduce into England a further development of the undoubted acquisition, as regards increased speed to racing boats. It is very evident that unless the greater length of slide is immediately adopted by our own scullers, and they acquire that splendid uniformity of action that Hanlon did, they will stand very little chance of maintaining their own against the foreigners who are at present in England. Edward Hanlon was born in Toronto, July 12, 1855. His parents, natives of Ireland, soon after the birth of their son, became proprietors of a large hotel on a beautiful island in Toronto Bay, and there the future champion of America learnt the rudiments of his profession. He commenced his career as an amateur in 1872, but in 1874 he lost his status by rowing Londen, of Toronto, for the champion of Burlington Bay whom he easily defeated. He has since beaten all the best men in America; his last race, previous to his starting on his present expedition, was with Courtney over the five-mile (rowing) course at Jachine, near Montreal, in October last, whom he easily defeated ; it was said at the time that Courtney did not do his best, but that did not effect the Toronto sculler in the least, as he rowed from end to end in his usual dashing style. Hanlon is a powerfully-built man, standing 5 feet 8| inches, and weighed on the day of the race 10st. 131bs. He rowed in a boat built by Swaddle and Winship, of Scotswood, his Canadian boat being too short. Her dimensions were Length, 31 feet; beam, 32 inches ; height amidships, 5i inches; height forward, 3| inches”; height aft, 2f inches ; weight when fully fitted, 301bs ; length of slide, 14 inches ; and he rowed with blades 6f inches in breadth. He was trained by Heasley, of Toronto, and stayed at the Old Arms, Scotswood. John Hawdon, of Delaval, is a wellknown sculler, and entered his boat an unbeaten man. He is a miner by trade, 23 years of age, and is a powerfully built man, 5 feet 7| inches in height, weighing 10st. 121bs. Hawdon also rowed in a new boat, built by Swaddle and Winship, Her dimensions were : Length, 30 feet 6 inches ; beam 11 inches; height amidships, 5| inches; height forward, 31 inches ; height aft, 3| inches; weight, 30§lbs. Hawdon trained, at Mr Percy’s, his backer’s private residence, and was accompanied in his spins on the water by Higgins and Kirton. The arrangements for the race were perfect, and the Canadians were perfectly satisfied at the treatment they have received during their stay at Newcastle ; and, during the race, Colonel Shaw, President of the Toronto Club, who was present at the race, publicly thanked the Tynsiders for the fair and impartial manner the race was conducted, and for the kindness Hanlon had received from all parties, and sincerely trusted that when any of them came to Toronto that they would be treated in the same manner. the race, Hawdon was the first to appear, his flesh looked ruddy and well; his opponent soon followed. His arms were muscular, they appeared much whiter and more delicate than Hawdon’s, but as he sat his boat he looked every inch a sculler, and presented by far the superior “physique,” and one could hardly realise the fact of of his being a few pounds the heaver man, Hanlon several times surveyed the situation ahead. He looked at Hawdon, and seemed to give him the signal to go. Hawdon got the best of the first few strokes, commencing to row in real earnest before Hanlon, and was soon half-a-length in front. The latter, however, dashed away at 4:0 strokes per minute, much to the surprise of those who had never seen him exceed 30 to 32 in his training, and in a short time the boats were level—in fact by the time they had gone 50 yards. Hanlon then began to draw away, though his adversary was dipping his skulls in at tli6 rstc of 4 2 to the ininutGj and } roivins the full length of his long slide with beautiful precision, led by two lengths 540 yards from the start. Hawdon, in the meantime had dropped down to 34, and once or twice he seemed unable to’ keep his boat straight and on an even keel. At this early stage it was evident all was over, as the champion of new world every now and then looked calmly ahead, where heavy rollers were plainly discernible. He seemed in no way disconcerted, and slowed down to 32 strokes per minute, as he seemed content with his lead of three lengths. Once or twice he fairly left off rowing. At the Redbeugh Bridge he was two lengths ahead. Hawdon, who had settled down to 36, tried all he could to reach him, but without avail. After passing the bridge they met with rough water. Hanlon seemed resolved to pick his way throucrh the surf in his own quiet manner, and not to be in a hurry, Hanlon gaining slightly upon him. All round the bend the water was very rough, and gusts of wind came

across the river in full force upon the scullers, but Hanlon kept on in the most nonchalent manner, and every now and then looked ahead at Duun-street gangway. Hawdon got upon pretty close terms, but it was only on sufferance, as the Canadian did not care to hurry in the rough water. From here to Armstrong’s High Shear-legs Hanlon took very little notice of Hawdon, who was dashing away in rare style, and rowing exceedingly well at 36 to 32. At Armstrong’s platform the Canadian was only a length ahead, immediately after Hawdon went over to the meadows under the shelter of the bank, but Hanlon kept on his own side, and did not seem to mind the waves that kept dashing into his boat and threatening to swamp him. Hawdon, while in smooth water, did all he could to better his position. At the head of the meadows the boats were nearly level. The Delaval man had now to come through some rough breakers to the northern bank, when, in the most aggravating manner to bis opponent, Hanlon laid on his sculls, and, amidst laughter and cheers proceeded to dispose of the water in his boat with a large sponge he carried for the purpose. As he had stopped several times up the meadows and dashed away at his will, it seemed any odds on him, and though they had been rowing 20 minutes he was not the least fatigued. Once fairly on the southern side Hawdon again made an effort, without avail. Leaving Paradise Quay Hanlon was the first to meet with smooth water, when he seemed disinclined to go through any more eccentric maneeuvres, and, dashing away in fine style, was three lengths ahead at the Benwell Ferry. Below the Haughs he got into rough water, and let Hawdon up; but at the three miles the water was again smooth, right up to the winning post. Hanlon then put it on again, and was leading easily by six lengths, but just before reaching the Scotwood’s Suspension Bridge he eased up, and was content to go under the structure by three lengths and a half; the time being 32min. ssecs. In the evening after the race Hanlon was backed to row Elliot for L2OO a aide and the championship on the 16th June. As much as L2OO to LIOO, LllOO to LSOO, and L 675 to L2OO was laid on the Canadian. We have since learned by cablegram that Hanlon easily defeated Elliott, and has taken the “ Spoorts man’s ” Challenge Cup to Canada.