HANLAN'S SECRET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 137, 14 June 1881, Page 2

HANLAN'S SECRET.

The following theory m explanation of Hanlan's succeas as an oarsman was given to a reporter on the San Francisco 'Chroniole' by H. J. Wildner, of the London Bowing Olnb — " After watching the manorltically," said Mr Wildner, " I was convinced that ho 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 nothing strange m them that could explain the secret. IyWas almost a convert to the belief that the man was, a wonder when I went to seethe Barrie regatta, ~ About 8 o'clock m the morning, when there was hardly a soul around, I went down :tq Ha,nlan's head-quarters and found the trainer bending over the champion's shell, with an oilcan m his hand. The shell was bottom up, and four brass wheels about three inches m diameter were sticking out of hex keel. ■ The trainer seemed to b. 9 greatly discomfited by an unexpected. \}s}t, and turned the shell overwjth. a, jerk; that knocked a big hole m her forward deck. I waanal disposed to let tb> matter pass, howeve^ and asked what was the idea of having miniature water-wheels m the, bottom of a racing shell. . Just then one of Hanlan's backer's oo.me iq, a.nd seeiqg how matters stood, proce.ed.ed to that the wheels were an invention of his own- . ' But, 1 said he, 1 they are more harm than gnod. They don't work at all, and stop the boat instead of helping her along.' I wanted them to show ma how the wheels worked, but they profeaae,d to be late for breakfast, aqc( s,hqved. the shell upon the ruck, a.nd when off, looking the boat house after them. Qn account of the braak m the deck Hanlan was obliged to use another boat, and though she was a very fine shell he only rowed a dead heat with Biley of Saratoga a second-class : aouUer,. who had a poor boat and was m the worst possible condition." "After that exhibition," said Mr Wildner, " I made up my mind that the wheels m the keel of the boat did the business for the champion, and that without his trick boat he could not hope to defeat any goad seoond classman. In the luterna.tional regatta' at Providence last Cfaly he lbwwed m a boat which, CQnld not possibly have been rigged with secret maohincry, ani ho got beaten 1

most disgracefully. From what I saw of tbat boat at Barrie I am satisfied that the ) champion rows all his big races m a trick boat with wheels m the keel. These wheels are worked by the sliding seat. You know how a man rows. He slides up along steel tracks twenty three inches long, and then slides back agait, pressing his feet against the stretcher with force enough to raise half a ton. When the champion is ready to start he touches a spring m the stretcher with his feet and the wheels fly down. The moment he slides down for the stroke the wheels commence to revolve with lightening rapidity and help him along wonderfully. The great gain, however, is m the recovery, for *s he slides back for the stroke the wheels keep working and the boat retains her headway. In this way he gains probably a foot or perhaps more on each stroke and it is easy to calculate how much more powerfully his antagonist must row to keep up with him. This explains why all the men Hani an rows with are exhausted m the first mile." " Don't you think he is a wonderful athlete ? " the reporter asked. '• Not at all," replied MrWildner. "He is a medium-sized man of delicate constitution. The trips across the ocean nearly killed him, and he suffers from palpitation ot the heart and an affection of the kidntyß. His victories are merely shining examples of the.supcri..ri yof mind over moacle. In boat laces it is specified that the ' best ' boats shall be used, and Hanlan has sense enough to make his boat better than any others by a simple contdvance. Of course they keep the matter a secret, but the articles of any race could not prevent Hanlan. from ÜBing his trick boat, even if its secrets were divulged." '• It's a wonder the secret has not been discovered hefore," the reporter remarked. "I don't think so," aaid.Mr Wildner. " Hanlan has made £12,000 by it, and several of his backers have grown rich. It would not pay them to fight among themselves, and when they had a little spat thi other day you|aaw how soon they shook hands and begged each other's pardon."