GREAT BOAT RACE ON THE TYNE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1928, 29 April 1880, Page 3

GREAT BOAT RACE ON THE TYNE.

["Sporting and Dramatic News."] In wretched weather Robert Watson Boyd, of Middlesborough, and William Elliott, of Blyth, contended over the Tyne Championship Course for stakes of £2OO a-Bide. The men wete old rivals and both underwent very careful preparation for the struggle, Boyd training from the Ord Arms, Scotswood, and Elliott from private quarters in George's road, Elswick. Fourteen steamers accompanied the men, and they were for the most part orowded with spectators. Boyd, on stripping, scaled list 31b, and Elliott list 51b, the former being shown up river from the bow of the umpire's boat by John Bright, of the Mushroom, and the latter by Ralph Hepplewhite. Betting just prior to the start ruled 11 to Bon Boyd. Mr William Oldham, of Newcastle, officiated as referee. On the toss for positions taking place the Middlesborough sculler won, and he selected the north station, which gave him little, if any, advantage, Elliott finding the outside, or south station, probably the better of the two, as he thereby gained the full advantage of the tide. The latter's first stroke was a light, dipping one, which scarcely drove his boat six inches forward, and his second was not much better. Boyd, on the contrary, got a fair and full grip of the water, and imparted so much power to his stroke that he at once drove her quite half a length ahead of that of his antagonist. Elliott quickly realised his position, and bending well forward he exercised his enormous Btrength to pull with three or four huge sweeps, and he succeeded in propelling his lighf craft well alongside of that of his rival, and maintaining his exertion he Boon showed slightly to the fore. His supporters were highly delighted by this display, and already cries that the Blyth sculler would win with the greatest ease were to be heard. Both were strikinp about 40 to the minute, but Elliott had decidedly the best of the pace. The critical onlooker, however, could discern that the " pitman" could not possibly keep up his terrific exertions long. He was burying the blades of his sculls far too deeply in the water, and wrenching them through with a tremendous sweep, which must have taxed even Mb powerful muscle to the very utmost. Boyd, on the other hand, quickly Bottled down to his long, rather dragging, but wonderfully serviceable method, and as he drove his boat along much reminded the onlookers of Hanlan's Btyle. Just above Wylie's Quay he began to draw on Elliott, and but a few yards more Buffioed to place him on even terms. In the final result Elliott wa? beyond all doubt badly beaten. As the men passed the High Elswick gangway Elliott's head dropped over his right shoulder, a sure sign that his exertions were telling upon him severely. Times for the two miles were respectively 12min 57sec and 13min 15 sec, after which affairs degenerated into a mere procession, Boyd takin j; matters very coolly. At the head of the Meadows —time, 14-miu 30aeo and 14min 45sec—he eased down rapidly, and shot by Paradise Quay in 17min 30aec, allowing Elliott to draw up. The Middlesborough sculler eventually reached Scotswood Suspension bridge in 22min 47sec from the sfart, with about four lengths to the good, Elliott's time being 23min isec. Both were loudly applauded aB they "rowed ashore to dress, Elliott, perhaps, coming in for the greatest ovation, as it seemed to be felt that he had sowed a game though losing race.