THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE TYNE AND THAMES.

West Coast Times, Issue 572, 25 July 1867, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE TYNE AND THAMES.

The great skiff match for L2OO a side and the championship of the world took place on the Tyne, on 6 *h May, between Harry Kelley, of London, and Robert Chambers, of Newcastle, The course was. from the High Level-bridge to Leamington Point ; and both men, who have been in training some time upon the Tyne, were brought out in splendid condition. A large number ®f steamboats and other craft were on the river heavily laden with passengers, and an imniense number of persons were on the banks of the Tyne, as the day was kept as a half-holiday by most of the factories on the Tyneside. The course was kept by the river police in boats. The evening was close and warm ; showers fell during the race, and the water was in fine condition for rowing. At three minutes past five o'clock, Chambers, who had Avon the toss for stations, put off from the referee's boat, and paddled up to- the temporary bridge, where he was joined by Kelley. At this moment the wind veered round to nearly due west, and a heavy rain began to fall, which continued without intermission throughout the race. The competitors having completed their toilet, each at once took up his position, Chambers, of course, selecting the north side. On stripping, there was a very , marked disparity between the two. Kelley looked the picture of health and condition, every muscle standing out in prominent relief ;• while his opponent, on the contrary, wore a pale and haggard appearance, and seemed altogether the mere wreck of his former self. He rowed much lighter than on any previous occasion, as he only just turned the scale at list 4£lb, while Kelley weighed lOst 81b, being upwards of four pounds over his usual rowing weight. Chambers rowed in an old boat called Lady James, and Kelley in a new craft, built by Jewitt, christened appropriately Charles Bush, lliey got away at the first attempt to a capital start at nineteen and a quarter minutes past five, both roxying a tremendously quick stroke. Li the first half dozen strokes Kelley- began to show in front, and, at .the Mansion-house, led by a quarter of a length, while at Wyiles Quay he had nearly drawn clear. On nearmg Skinner Burn, Kelley took his opponent's water, and showed a clear lead of three-quarters of a length,' which, notwithstanding a plucky spurt from Chambers, he speedily improved to two lengths. At Waterson's Quay the North Countryman made a fine effort, but without diminishing tbe lead of Kelly, who was rowing a long machine-like stroke. Kelly then gradually drew a away until reaching the entrance of Little Annie, where he led by five lengths. Nearing Meadows-house Chambers again came up slightly, but -keeping too close under the north shore, he once more lost ground, and Kelly, who heldacapitalcoursethroughout, led by six good lengths at Paradise Quay. The Londoner at this point was clearly rowing well within himself, but he still kept improving his lead, and shot the Suspension bridge seven or eight lengths in advance of his opponent, whose repeated bursts were beginning to tell heavily on him. The race from this point calls for no further description, as Kelly led as he pleased, and ultimately won by twelve or fifteen lengths, reaching Leamington point 55 sec. in advance of Chambers, who pulled up greatly distressed. Betting at the start was 6 to 5 on Kelly, but the backers of Chambers, in most cases, stood out for an extra point, which would have been accepted freely during the morning. A well-known supporter of Kelly's laid 300 to 200 in one bet, and 55 to 40 was also laid.

A terrible accident occurred shortly after the race through the people crowding upon the lauding of the General Ferry Company on tiie Quay side. There were immense crowds of people at the race, estimated at from 40,000 to 50,000, and as most of the factories and building-yards below Tyne-bridge were closed, the down-the-water villages sent a large number of people to Newcastle by the steamboats of the General Ferry Company, and as the evening was showery and wet, a large crowd began to flock towards the Genei'al Ferry's boats as soon as the race was over. The landing-stage of the company is moored about fifteen yards from the public quay, and is immediately opposite to the Broad Chase. It is approached by a gangway strongly built. About ten minutes to seven o'clock one boat had been sent away heavily laden, and another

one was being brought alongside to take in the passengers. In the meantime the gates at the railway station end were closed. The result was that over 100 men, women and children were densely packed upon the gangway with a large crowd behind them. While thus standing ten girders of the bridge gave a crack, and then bent, and most of the people on the bridge were precipitated into the river. The scene which followed was truly frightful. Women and childensent up fearful screams, and the poor struggling wretches who were in the river were being rapidly swept away by the strong ebb tide. Some boats which were under the bridge were smashed and sunk by the bridge yielding. Several seamen, and one or two of the river police greatly distinguished themselves in saving life. Lines, poles, life buoys, and whatever I could be laid hold of soonest, were thrown to the people who were drowning, and most of them caught hold of them and were saved. Several brave fellows threw themselves into the water, and rescued children and women. Fully sixty people fell into the water, and as many of them were women and children they were little able to make any effort to save themselves. Immediately after the accident the danger was immensely increased by crowds of people mostly women, who had friends going down the water in the steamboats, rushing to the quay- edge in quest of their relatives, and as the crowd increased and surged backwards and forwards, there was every reason to fear that some hundreds of them would be pushed over the quay and into the river, and many of them drowned. A strong force of police, however, was brought down and the people were driven back, and that danger was avoided. The persons who wore rescued, some of whom were very ill, were taken to the adjoining public-houses, and under medical' treatment were recovered. Altogether the deaths were four.