THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

Kumara Times, Issue 2564, 10 September 1884, Page 2

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. From files of Sydney papers received on Saturday, we make the followin° extracts re the great rowing match between Beach and Hanlan for the championship of the world, on August 16. We may state that the Parramatta River, although a branch of Sydney harbour, is some distance away from the capital. The championship course is situated a short distance above the bridge which crosses the Parramatta. At this bridge congregated all the steamers conveying spectators by water, and it is estimated that fully 45,000 had come by land to see the great race. The conclusion of the race is thus recorded by the Sydney Morning Herald:—" There is silence for a moment, and then as the space between the boats increases, as it becomes apprrent that the Australian man really wins, such a scene on board the Tomki as has rarely been witnessed. A shout first, then a yell: ' Beach wins!' Incredible ! But true. Some hats are tossed in air, and blown away no man cares whither. Boots and fists are driven through others. Men leap from the deck in a frenzy of joyful excitement, clasp hands, hug each other. But the rowers, it is no more the eagle labouring through the air which the swallow divides without effort. The eagle is ahead, and going with magnificent strength and speed; hopelessly behind comes the poor swallow, with a fluttered motion and evident symptoms of distress. Very quickly the altered condition of affairs is perceived. Ship after ship takes up the cheering. Wave upon wave, the ever gathering volume of sound rolls on ! There are a hundred thousand throats straining! There is a roar as when a nation rejoices over a great deliverance rather than as when a crowd shouts over a race well won. The cliffs echo it, the trees vibrate to it, the gale lifts and rolls it down the harbour. Louder and louder still it grows as the winner approaches the flag, which, dropping, gives the signal for every steam-pipe of the fleet to give vent to such voice as that which greets the new year's birth ! Upward and away goes the storm of sound over the roofs and above the steeples of the city !" To give an idea of the immense crowd present, it is computed that 100,000 people were present at different parts of the course. The Sydney Morning Herald said that never before had there been such an exodus from Sydney as went to witness the Hanlan-Beach contest.

The following is Beach's measurement : height, 5 feet 10| inches; round the chest, 42 inches;" forearm, 16 inches ; biceps, 18 inches.

Both men met when the stakes were paid over, and Hanlan then offered to row another match for either £SOO or £IOOO in two months' time. Beach's friend, Mr Deeble, declined this challenge, and said his man would not row sooner than six months. Hanlan, in one of his speeches, characterised this as unmanly, and not worthy of an Australian. This, of course, caused a little ill-feeling amongst the audience, and cries of " Edward Trickett had to wait six months" were heard in the room. However, the great oarsmen parted good friends. We may also state that an offer was made to match Clifford, another rising Sydney oarsman, against the Canadian, but Hanlan declined, and said he would not row anyone until he had met Beach agaiu for the championship.