THE INTERNATIONAL SCULLING CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1822, 22 October 1886, Page 27

THE INTERNATIONAL SCULLING CONTEST.

(London Correspondent Melbourne Argus.) On the whole, the great sculling contest on the Thames which was concluded on the 29th August has been the most successful aquatic competition ever held in this or any other country. The weather throughout was gloriously fine, the crowds were enormous, the excitement was unparalleled, and the best man won. In the heat between Matterson and Teemer the young Australian dashed off with such amazing vigour at 40 to the minute, that he at once obtained a decided lead. Teemer took matters very quietly, and not being in the least flurried by his opponent's advantage, continued to scull in his finished and effective style at about 37 to the minute. Ho fine was Teemer's sculling that wo expected Matterson to come back to him every moment. On the contrary the Australian, who was also sculling in splendid form, increased his lead all along Chiswick. At the Eyot Mattereon was a length and a-half in front, nn<l 6to 4 waj» laid o» )»im, Tlwn Teemee

spurted vigorously, and 2 to 1 was laid on him. But Matterson once more went away, and with an advantage of over two lengths, took Teemer's water. Just about Thornycroft's factory Teemer spurted again, but each effort was so gallantly answered by Matterson that as the pair raced along the Duke's Meadow 4 to 1 on the Australian was actually betted. Approaching Barnes' bridge the Yankee quickened his pace to about 42 to the minute, and caught Matterson just as they were about to pass under the bridge. Then Matterson, utterly exhausted, fell forward over his stretcher, and the race, a terribly severe one while it lasted, was over. Teemer finished alone at his leisure. ■ I believe that there was a slight foul, but it was not claimed, nor could it have affected the result. As the steamers were going under Barnes' bridge the press launch was caught between two larger boats, and the occupants narrowly escaped a fearful accident. As it was, three journalists were thrown into the water, and the reat had to save themselves by clambering up the sides of the umpire's boat. THE FINAL HEAT. Of course Beach was a strong favourite, and 3 to 1 was laid on him for the final contest, which took place on Wednesday, over the full championship couise between Putney and Mortlake. Teemer, however, had many friends. They argued that Beach had found it hard work to keep up with Lee for the first mile, and he had been decidedly at the start slow when racing with Bubear. They therefore thought it likely that Teemer might gain some considerable lead, and that he would never afterwards be caught, though those who reasoned thus forgot that Lee is notoriously one of the quickest men living over a short course, and that Beach was purposely slow in the race with Bubear, not caring to risk an accident on the rough water. The men started from two skiffs, just above the centre arch of the new Putney bridge. Mr Horton was umpire, as in the previous heat. As before, Tom Green showed up Beach, and Bill Spencer was Teemer's mentor. Enormous crowds had assembled : in fact, the population of a large city was gathered on the towing path or was afloat. The tide was strong, the wind slight, and the water quite calm. Thus everything was in favour of fast time. Beach was dressed in yellow and black drawers, with a black and. white cap. Teemer wore blue drawers and a black peaked cap, pulled right over his head. Both men had discarded their jerseys. Obviously Beach was in magnificent condition. The muscles of his shoulders and arms stood out in great rounded masses. Each man seemed sensible of the importance of the occasion. Each looked grim and somewhat anxious. The men were kept paddling aboiit'f or nearly 20 minutes, owing to the course being obstructed by steamers and barges. When at length Mr Horton gave the word they dashed off together to a perfect start, determined not to lose a chance. The champion began at 42 to the minute, and in an instant secured a lead of half a length. "If Teemer ever catches him again," shouted an enthusiastic Australian on the umpire's boat, " I'll settle £100 a year on him for lite." The man to whom this handsome offer was made had meanwhile begun well. Three-fourths of the way along the boathouses he did not seem to lose much, but at the Thames Rowing Club's boathouse Beach put in some powerful strokes, which carried him well in front. The fact that Bishop's creek was reached in the best time on record — linin 31sec — shows the extraordinary severity of the pace. Approaching Rosebank, Teemer, witli a gallant effort, drew up a little; but the champion, who was now sculling in _ the most magnificent form imaginable, quickly responded with a few tremendously vigorous strokes, which placed a wide gap between them. Here Teemer had to go round a barge. When the men came together again it was seen that the Yankee was fully three lengths behind. The vast crowd at the soapworks cheered Beach vociferously. He was certainly the popular favourite. At Hammersmith, reached in Bmin 52sec, Beach led by four lengths. Here the accident happened which people acquainted with the Thames have long been foretelling. The temporary bridge, made of piles, has a narrow opening, through which the tide runs like a sluice. The cutters accompanying the scullers collided as they passed through, and in trying to avoid them the steersman of the umpire's boat brought the paddle-box with an awful crash against the pier of the bridge, while the subscribers' steamer smashed into her port side. The press boat had a narrow escape, her machinery subsequently coming to grief. Nobody saw more of the race. Luckily, a description is not necessary. Beach simply increased his lead at every stroke, and he won by 100 yards in 22min 46sec, the fastest sculling time ever known. Teemer rowed well and courageously, but was quite outpaced. Everybody was amazed at Beach's exhibition of skill and power. " I hope,"' said Teemer turning to Beach when the money was being handed to the men on the subscribers' boat after the race, " that if ever I have to row the championship again I shall not have to meet you."