HANLAN’S “TRICK BOAT.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2569, 15 June 1881, Page 2

HANLAN’S “TRICK BOAT.”

Mr Edward Tricketfc, ex-champion sculler of the world, is the only one who believes that there is “ something ” in Hanlan's boat. Mr H. J, Wildner, a member of the London Bowing Club, now on a visit to California, has furnished the following to the ‘‘San Francisco Chronicle”:— “ After watching the man critically, I was convinced that he had something to assist him besides swivel rowlocks and a sliding seat. In practice he did not seem to row particularly well, but the moment he started on his race his pace was altogether different. I examined his boats several times, but could detect nothingstrange in them that would explain the secret. I was almost a convert to the belief that the man was a wonder, when I went to see the Barrie Regatta. About eight o’clock in the morning, when there was hardly a soul around, I went down to Hanlan’s headquarters and found the trainer bending over the champion’s shell, with an oil can in I;is hand. The shell was turned bottom up, and four brass wheels about three inches in diameter were sticking out of her keel. The trainer seemed to be greatly discomforted by my unexpected visit, and turned the shell over with a jerk that knocked a big hole in her forward deck. I was not disposed to let the matter pass, however, and asked what was the idea of having miniature water wheels in the bottom of a racing shell. Just then one of Hanlan’s backers came in, and seeing how matters stood, proceeded to explain that the wheels were an invention of his own. ‘ But,’ said he, ‘ they are more harm than good. They don’t work at all, and stop the boat instead of helping her along.’ I wanted them to show me how the wheels worked, but they professed to be late for breakfast, and shoved the shell up on the rack, and went oft, locking the boathouse after them. On account of the break in the deck, Hatihm was obliged to use another boat, ami though she was a very fine shell he only rowed a dead h at with Riley, of Saratoga, a second-class sculler

who had a poor boat and was in the worst possible condition.” A telegram was received a few days ago, stating (hat a mechanic in Sydney bad constructed a bidden motive power which could be worked by means ot the sliding seat. This will give additional belief to the alleged secret contrivance in Hanlan’s boat.