HANLAN V. BEACH. A SEVERE STRUGGLE. BEACH WINS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 232, 10 December 1887, Page 10

HANLAN Y. BEACH. A SEVERE STRUGGLE. BEACH WINS.

Early on Saturday morning trains crowded with passengers commenced to arrive at Penrith, and in a short time the streets were crowded with people, who gradually wended their way clown to the river, in the vicinity of Squire's Hotel, Beach's quarters. The morning bioke out. clear but warm, and at about 9 o'clock the heat was intense, and it was feared the day would prove a scorcher. By lOo'clock, however the wind began to change, at.d shortly afterwaids a cool south-casteily breeze sprang up, and a tew sharp showers of rain fell. Both Beach and Hanian m ere resting. After Bench had had his breakfast lie was driven to Mr Evans house, a short distance from the ttarfc, and theie he stayed until the contest was to be commenced. Ho looked a little better than the night before, •and less haggard in appearance, and was very cheerful and confident. He was accompanied by Mr Jack Thompson and Peter Kemp and Xeilson, and the two latter took the champion's, racing boats, the Amy Punch and the Tom Mnir, up to the startingpoint. Jlanlan had had a good night's rest, and appeared in the morning looking as rosy and jolly as po--tible. He \\ as in excellent hpiiits, and in leply to the oft-repeated question. " What do you think of your chance?" he said. "Well, I am going to row a good rare to day. I feel as well as ever I did in my life, and I am rowing as well as I ever did row. I think lam un:leirated for this race; but if it keeps fine I feel certain the iace w ill be rowed under 20 minutes." This opinion was not shared in by Beach, who thought that he would win easily in considerably o\er 20 minutes. At about II o'clock Hanian went, dow n to the little boat house at the western side of the liver, and, with PeiLins and Brett, hib tiainers, gave the last touches to his boat-. The T\. A. Watson wa^ >\\o one he had decided upon using, but hi- other boat, the Nepcan, was alto got icady and y. a^> taken up to the stall. 1 " In selecting the L\ A. Watson the c\-chatnpion chose what appealed to be much Ihe bet tor craft, ll.mlan also, in company with Brett, diove up to Mr Evans house near the t, dining the morning, Beach having been accommodated with a pretty little cottage by Mr Evans. In the meantime the special tiainsfiom Sydney and the suiiounding district continued to aiiho loaded with passengeis, ■who wended their way to the river bank, and Squires Hotel was thionged with people. A stand was erected within a reserve, and n huge number of people took up their positions caily, seeming qoite content to pay the admission pi ice of 10s each to pet a £ood \iew of the iace. At midday Loul Canington an ived, accompanied by Lord Dahymple. Mr Joe Thompson lost no opportunity of making a profit for his man by belling white silk handkerchiefs, bordered by yellow and black, and in the centre shov - ing a portrait of Beach, with a list of his championshipiaces. vt A pound or nothing, sir," said the Leviathan bookmaker, as he handed the colouis round, and the result of his efforts in this way \eiy soon amounted to £50. At half-past 2 o'clock a move was made for the launch, and the chosen few, not more than 17 in all, who had received tickets of admission took up their places on board, proceeding steadily up t-tieam. The shnllownessofthcwatei andthepilot's-wantof knowledge weie proved by the little stunner striking veiy heavily, ami bumping over a snag or boukler, and it v. a.< thought for a tew minutes that one of the fan^of the screw liad beenbiokenolf. Xotwith=tandingtheunfavouiableweatlaer the i iver looked beautiful — a long and pci fectly stiaight reach of two miles and a quarter, with an almost imperceptible tuisi, and continuing for another straight run of a. mile. Frum Peniith iailway- biidge MHuil half a mile fiom the start the banks of the t-tioam aie iloating, and but for the 3mH'tiant foliage would a fiord an uninterrufifted of nearly the v> hole course. As the st.nl. is reached the river nestles bctwo^n high clills forming a gap in the mountains, find thc c cene is ragged and giand. Fiom stait to finish the liver is almost an even width of about «~300 yards. Anriving within a short distance <of the starting place, marked by a huge boulder that nests on the edge -of the stream, a little boal>-h3d is see.i, and standing about are iKomp, Neilson, Jack Thompson and a fow others. Thompson walked to the staging calling out as the steamer approaches that Hanian wishes to start at half- past £. o'clock. We are ready at any time. lit iveply fco the question, "Where's Beach? 7 ' Thompson said, "He is up .at the cottajpe, andJianlan is at 'the house." ",Tbe Nepean is #iie finest course I have .ever-seea," says WatSiam Beach; and Edward Hjanlan, who liias rowed on almost -every stretch of wafctadn America and Eng- . land, declares the Nepean. course to be " the , -finest and lairest in tfhe woilfi." Situated .about 36 miles from Sjiifcsey, ,aed within 1£ ' mules of Peprith, a littife -fcawnitship on the 'B.lue Mountain railway line,, .the Nepean j tßiver.and its.-surrounding'saenGry form one ' <of -the rnosfc picturesque •$p«tff in New i SaU'feb. Wales. The riveif is Aideless, or meanly so, and $.<? a rule its mraifcara are still ;and<s»}m, resembling almost & Ipaadlocked lake. The exac^ length of the oovxse is 3£ miles., and for f{ miles it is (perfectly eti:ai|^wfc. At the tfai ting point fchi? civer is alxjiut soo yards wide, but towards &&£ finish it is ae^i-ly 350 yar<&. wide. The Kacc The ?sw& now caiE^^oVn in earnest,, ,and must liav-e almost dre-iu&ed Hanian b jj^ity, but there was not mu^Jj Jonger to wait. By half-^asfc 3 'Beach was -seen getting into jhis boat, and before he ooykl get up to 'th.s steamer, Hanian was a/lqc i. As Haslan , paddled to t!).s steamer it was seen that, the K. A. Watson Siad been hie .choice of crafts, and she carried him splejiiidly. As he came up he was greeted vriih three cheers, ! which he acknowledged by raising his cap. j Beach came up and received a burst of | cheering, and his boat wa« seen to he the Claeper ciftft, Tom Mair. The champion looked very fine drawn about the 'face, and his eyes wfere not very bright ; but his skin was as clear as po&sible, and as he pulled off his jer&ey his shoulders, back and arms showed hib j»iand muscular developcment. Tfanlan also pulled off the jersey ho wore, and he, too, v/as seen to be very lit, and strong looking, almost as big" in body as the champion, whilo his face was quite ruddy. Lord Canington and the party who had gone ashore came on board while the men w&e gelling ready, and as ]Vlr Geo. Hill, the umpire, moved to the front of the fcteamer, Bench and Hanian rowed slowly down the stream to the boulders before mentioned, and close to Glenbrook Creek. Ilanlan won theirs for choice of stations through Mr Wat&on, and he chose the eastern side, though there was nothing in it. For a few moments there was not a Round on tho sloamer to indicate that a great struggle was about to be commenced Tho excitement, though Im&hed, was intense" .

1 Separated by about 2ft yards of the stream, the two men watched each other warily for a few seconds, and then, by mutual consent, they struck the water at almost the same instant, Hanlan having, If anything, the best of it. At the moment the cry went up. "They are off," and the time registered was thirty-seven minutes past 3. The pace was terrific from the first stroke, and tho first minute Hanlan pulled 40 strokes and Beacli 39. Not more than 20 strokes had been rowed before Hanlan showed slightly in front, and it was at once clear that the struggle, at any rate for a distance, was going to be a severe one. Both were rowing at a killing pace, and with all their skill and power, lifting their boats along ab a rate that quickly sent them fully 200 yards ahead of tho steomer. For a quai tor of a mile Hanlan kept a lead of about half a length, and the rate of stroke was kept up. The next quarter of a mile showed very little change. The stroke was kept up at tho high rate, and no fault could possibly be found with the roving. Ifanlan sped along with all his accustomed skill and beautiful style, and Beach, looking much bigger on his high seat., was rowing with all the acthity and grace of a lOst. man. lIU form, however, was most marked, and the third quarter of a mile saw him rowing in a style that had only to be seen, to fully demonstrate how he has won and held the championship. Surprised, no doubt, at the severity of tho struggle, as he anticipated that he would lead from the start, he realised that his utmost eilorts would be required to w in, and he re&olvod to get a lead at all hazaids. The burst that succeeded this resolve was probably the grandest piece of rowing that has ever beenseen, and upon it rested thefateof thechampionbhip. Quickening up to 40 strokes a minute, and driving his sculls through the water with Herculean power, he fail ly lifted his boat along the bin face of the water. Hanlan had not fallen off in the slightest, but he could not cope with this grand eilbi t of Beach. It was manelloiis. It did not la*t much more than a minute, but in that time Beach's boat had travelled a full length and a half faster than Hanlan's, and gave the champion a lead ot about that distance. The maniL'itvre had succeeded. The lead was won and maintained. Beach slowed down gradually to 37, 35, and then to 33, and about this time Hanlan had got down to about 35. Owing to the scullers having ffot the lead of tho steamer, the exact time at the \arious distances could not be taken by Mr Decble, who acted a- timekeeper, but the mile mark near C'owes'-s Creek was passed in from smin 52sec to smin 55-.cc from the stait. The next half-mile did not alter the positions of the men, except that Beach increased his lead to two lengths. The steering then was a little "faulty. Beach went over towards the western bank, and Hanlan followed. Shoitly afteiw.u ds the leader crossed over to the eastern bide, Hanlan still following him. Beach wa« now in Hanlan'? course, and led by 3 to -A lengths. Hanlan had been rowing slightly the faster stroke, but they were now settled down to an even stroke of 32. Beach was kept at his best, striving to maintain his lead, and Hanlan, although behind, never lost in form or power, and struggled on with the greatest gameness. The pace was kept up, and it was evident th-it Hanlan's opinion that the race would be done under 20 minute 0 was likely to be coirect. Tho steamei cud not gain on the men, and being urged on by the crowds on the banks, both scullers, were doing their utmost. It looked a certainty for Beach, but it was evident that he would have to keep going- the whole way, for his opponent was close upon him, and lowing as grandly as at the start. When the men got within the la«t mile the shouting was tremendous. Thci c could not h we been fes than 10,000 people along the banks, and the chcciing was deafening. The lain still pomed down, but it had no effect upon tho enthusiasm of the ciouds of people. Neaiev and nearer the ir.cn got to the winningpost, and Hanlan still struggled on, determined to row till the lafct .stroke, and if poft-.ible to overhaul the chompion, who was rowing his very bc->t to keep ahead. During the lust half a mile Hanlan did make up a little, unt'l there was not more than a boat's length between them. There had been little chancre in the i ate of stroke of either of the men during the last two miles, the average of each bein^ from 28 to 30, Beacli keeping steadily going at the former rato. The 'la^t 200 yards of the race was a sight to be remembcicd. From thousands of throats went up the cry, "Bravo, Beach." " Well done Bill, old Fellow," and there were a good many to show iheir appreciation of the gallant struggle that the Canadian's great oaisman had made to regain the -championship. The question was what would be the time of this grand aaee ? Mr Andiew To-wn, i>bc judge, stood on "bhe little jetty below Squire's Hotel, but Beach, to make sure, went on some yards •further, Harflan right in his wake, and not •more than 30 feet separated the two boats. ■" Nineteen minutes fifty-five and threetquarter seconds " is the time called out by Mr JDeeble, and another (burst of cheering *we ut forth ,at this grand performance. Bath men wereicovnpletely irowed «oufc, and (looked thoroughly exhausted, Beach especially, but within a couple ofiroinutes tfiho imen (backed i to teach other and waranly 'shook hands. .The two greatest sciiilere ;tlhat have ever lived thus .finished the jgran tost ivaccithat, has ever taKenplaee. After tfee Race. _A'lifctle,inoitlent,naw occurredfthatshowed the -majority <©f 'thooe on tho umpire's stea/mer were not ,intfcued with ,the same msnly Soeling df their .champion. A boari; wa& brought out,. and (Reach was taken.outof b.tfi lOEait, which vvac taken charge ,af by Kemp, while iHan'l&u was allowed to pull to haz landicg ( fl2ace on the other side of t!he river, unafctoaded even .by, his bz-ainer Brett, who fead iheen taken .ashore in the boat with Bosch. Hanlan stepped out, and then lifted Jbis .'boat out &i the water and carried it io Jus shed. B&ich wr.ti being ahuQ&L pulled lo, pieces with aongratulation3, aiad the erueJi round ihe i>otel was tremendous. A« soon as tike Champion could g-efc outside fcbe crowd weiafc to ihe front, and there were leud cries for Beach. Beach presently appeared at one > of ftho upstair windows, and, .amid con- ' ( tinued cheering, addressed the people, saying :— (ienUsmcn, I am very much obliged to you for your kind patronage, and for the kind support you have given to me. I believe that I have rowed to-day the best race I have -ever rowed in my life. I 2iavc never rowed a better race. You have siso seen mo vow my last race. (Nn, no. ) I bhink I have done all my country couM require of me. Beach's voice was drowned with cheering 1 , md ho had to ask them to keep quiet, so Lhat he. might say a few more words. When a little quiefc was lestored he conjinueci ;—; — Now I intend to retire on my laurels, ■vlneh I think you will admit I havo fairly >yon. lam thankful to you for you kind apinion of my efforts. I hope you will excuse me from saying any more. (Cries of £ood. ) 1 hope you will go over and give t-lanlan a cheer, because he de&erves it. He las rowed me to-day the be:t race I have jver rowed, or, I think, has o\ cr been wit-

nessed. I hope you will now excuse me from saying any more. Cheer after cheer went up as Beach retired. Mr Joe Thompson then addrossed the people. He said he felb proud of being associated with such a man as William Beach, for he was the greatest oarsman that had ever lived. He had that day rowed a magnificent race, and he was proud to be his backer. JScacii's Comment Beach, in answer to his friends' inquiries, said that he was completely rowed out. He was surprised at the pace llanlan made, and he soon found that ho would have to row his very hardest to win. In reply to a question he said he did not think Hanlan led him, but thought that they rowed level for the first half mile." I found I would have to do my best, and did it. I managed to get a slight lead after going a mile, but it took me all my time to keep it. I think 1 was furtherst ahead at about the mile and a half mark. I was then about four length.!-, ahead. X was not true that I slackened off' at any time, I iowcd my hardest and my best the whole way. 1 wish to publicly thank Mr and Mrs Ewon for treating me so kindly to-day. I now retire. I shall not row another race. That is my decision. I have done my best and now retire." Haul an's Statement Hanlan went quietly to his boat shed, and after dressing he was invited by Air Brown, who has been very kind to the Canadian during his training for the race, to have a glass of wine. About 20 or 30 of Hanlau's fiiends assembled in Mr Brown's dining room, and Hanlau's health w.ts drunk in bumpers. He thanked Mr Blown for his kindlier-:*, and said thai lie had been beaten fairly and squarely, lie had always said that Beach was the greatest oarsman he hud c\er rowed against, and this had been proved. lie himself had resolved thai hib race that day would be his last, lie had made up his mind to settle down and lead a more domestic life than lie had hitherto been able to do. lie felt that hib poiformanco to-day would bo a fitting termination to tho grand career he had had. JIo thanked i all those who had been so kind to him dining his visits to the colonies, and | hoped that they would always have reason to hold a good opinion of him. Hanlan left phouly after to call upon Beach at Squire's Hotel, but the champion had left with the Mc-.sr.-3 Thompson and •Smith. Mr Deeble, however, was at tho hotel, and invited Hanlan and the gentlemen present to a glass of \\ inc. In proposing I lanlan's health, in the absence of Beach, Mr I Deeble said that his (Hanlin's) performance had surprised them all. He had rowed a l.ice that no Australian thought him capable of rowing, and it had taken Beach all he knew to win. He (Mr Deeble) had never seen Mich a grand race, and ho did nob think that a finer kico had ever been seen. Kemp and Neilson were pie->ent, and endoi-ed what Mr Dceblo had said. Hanlan returned thanks for tho kindness, and said that his words had come tine. The race had been rowed under 20 minutes. He thought he had rowed as well that day as he had ever done, and he was satisfied that Beach was a better man. He was too strong for him. Anyone of hit own weight he thought lie could master, but as he had always said Beach was the greatest sculler he (Hanlan) had e\er mot. Ho (Hanlan) now closed his career. He had done his best to laise piofessional rowing, and he could say rliat no man could have rowed moie honestly than he had done. No one had e\ or dai cd to ask him to sell a lace and he knew that Beach also had fully earned his reputation for honesty. Ho hoped that the { championship would always be held by men who would scorn to act dishonestly. ILiitlftia's Retirement The men and their friends ic turned to Sidney by the half past eight tiain fiom Pemilh, and were driven to the Town Hall, whoie the healths oi Bench and Mo.nlan were toasted, and they replied in terms similar to their previous* speeches. It was expected that upon Beach's announcement of his rethoment, Hanlan would at once claim the championship, and then it wa-^ intended to put Kemp against him for the title. The lesult of the lace and Hanlan's letirement have altered this plan. • j In a private conversation Hanlan stated that ho may settle down in the colonies, but looks to one place particularly, and that is Melbourne, a& likely to be hio future home. He will go to Melbouiwe in a week or two and will have a look round. He is in a good position, and feels ceitain of doing well in Victoria if he can get a fair start. His propcity in Toronto is valued at -£10,000, and if he can see his way clear he will set out and try his fortune in what he regards as the greatest city by far in Australia. ftcnip's Challenge. —Haitian's \ Retirement Denied, j Peter Kemp challenged William Beach j to row over the championship course on the Pacr-amatta River tor the championship of ! the world and £500 a-side, .and Beach, having determined not to row -again, hands over the championship. The statement that Hanlan had resolved to retire was premature. It orginated in a few jocular ■remarks after the race with Beach. If Beach hands the championship over to .Peter Ketnp, Tom Clifford, an oarsman of ne mean repute, will immediately challenge Peter, and the latter is aluao.<t sure to receive a challenge from tibe Canadian in tho event of his succeeding to.fchc much-coveted title. Bea/eh thinks that if Kemp *,nd Hanlan were 'to meet a remarkably gooda # ace would ensue, but -the champion does not eeean to be so -sanguine fchat Kemp could heat the Canadian, in view of the great race .rowed \ by theilatter on the Nepean. Peter Kemp, who trained Beach foa his ' race wi&i Hanlan, is 34 yeara of &go. Ho lhails froia the far-famed Haw kes bury district. Win place of lesidence is Colo, on .the Hawkesbury. Kemp is a married man, having a wife and seven children. In stature and general build Kemp is said to resemble Toemer, the American oarsman. iPeter, ,\vho is tif a qtplet and most, xin.assuming disposition, has only «oorac linrfco prominence during the post (three yeaiTS^ and therefore h» has not had /waffitfienilime to (establish ; a first-rate record. Kemp rauat, however, be placed in the first Sight; >q£ Australian scullers, as he is one ,of ; the moat bi'iUi&nt oarsn-on to be found !J south vi xhe Equator. j