A RECORD ROW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

A RECORD ROW.

From Our London Correspondent.)

LONDON, April 6

Mr Spencer Gollan, with Tom Sullivan and George Towns, the English sculling champion, put tip an aquatic performance on the Thames last Monday which Will probably stand for a record for many years to come. Under ideal conditions as to weather, they sculled from Oxford to the Thames Rowing Club quarters at Putney, a distance of 104J miles, in 13 hours 56 minutes. The boat in which this performance was made is a specially built treble sculler,.3s feet long, IG£ beam, and 7J inches depth forward and i\ inches aft. .

As remarked, the conditions last Monday were extremely favourable, so it is hardly fair to contrast the Antipodean trio's record with those of previous Oxford to London attempts. In 1889 three amateurs, Messrs Grenfell, Lehmann and Holland, covered the distance in a randan with a passenger to steer, in 22 hours 28 minutes, but their boat was a vastly different craft to that used by Mr Gollan, and they were by no means' favoured by weather conditions. In May, 1893, Messrs Bates, Cowper and Atkinson, of the Surrey Bicycling Club, came the same journey on "a water cycle in rather under 19i hours, which included a delay of nearly five hours for repairs at one of the locks. The ancient record for the distance is 15J hours, but it is very doubtful if it's genuine.

Mr Gollan and his companions, commenced their long journey rather before 5.30 a.m., and Avere accompanied by a small steam launch, aboard Avhieh was Mrs Gollan and other ladies and friends of the scullers. The oarsmen plodded along at an even pace, and by half-past eleven were at Henley, having covered the first 47 miles in a trifle over six hours. At Henley the trio took something for their stomach's sake, and rested about twenty minutes. Their passage through the locks had up to this point caused very little delay, and indeed right to their journey's end the record makers were favoured in this respect, the average time per lock being under four minutes. From Henley the scullers kept up a fine, steady rate of progress, halting occasionally for a breather, and reached Richmond shortly before 6.40 p.m. Here a Thames Rowing Club eight met them, and gave the scullers a fine burst home. They rowed beautifully together, and approaching the finish they seemed to be still fit and well. Amidst loud cheers they passed the Thames R.C. house at 7.24 p,m. Upon landing the scullers were given a hearty reception. Towns was "done up" after his severe exertions, and Tom Sulljvaiij toov showed the effects of the gruelling, and Mr Gollan certainly seemed Very thankful that the end had been reached. Their feat will, however, be marked with red in the annals of the river, and I think it may be accepted that many years will elapse before their figures meet the fate that all records must suffer sooner or later.

So far there has-been no definite reply to the challenge of George Towns to the world for the sculling championship. It is hardly necessary to repeat that Towns easily defeated Jim Wray for the Championship of England and "the possession of the "Sportsman" Challenge Cup last September. Following this he issued a challenge to Jacob Gaudaur^ Toronto, and backed his defi with a deposit of £25. He then agreed to row Gaudaur on the championship course of ' the Thames for £500 a-iside, or on any recognised course in Canada or the United States, give or take £50 expenses. Gaudaur has not seen his way to accept this, and Towns declines to claim the title he has not won fair and square. There are several cities on the St. Lawrence and Alexandra Eivers willing to give a bonus to the rowers, and at least one guarantees the general expenses. Towns has posted £25 with the editor of the "Sportsman" to row any man in the world for £500, and is further prepared to defend the Challenge Cup and the championship of England on the Thames for any amount.