THE MATCH BETWEEN TRICK ETT AND HANLAN.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 4 October 1880, Page 2

THE MATCH BETWEEN TRICK ETT AND HANLAN.

« We (S. A. Register) have been favored by Mr Joseph Thompson witb a letter from bis brother Barney wbo. it will be remembered, went to America some time back with the object of arranging a match between Hanlan and Trickett. Mr B. Thompson was in* structed by his bro'her, the " Leviathan," and other Australian believers in tbe powers of tbe New South "Welshman, that if Hanlan would not come to Australia to make a match to be rowed in America ; but before Mr Thompson had had time to make any arrangements negotiations were Tcntered into by Mr Fitz«Wentwortb, and the match which is to come off in England arranged. Tl c letter received from Barney Thompson contains a very graphic desoription ofthe great rowing match in America for tbe Hopsßitters Prize, together with the author's opinion of Han'an's sculling, as seen in tbat race, and a few remarks as to the chance of tbe Australian representative in the great march which is to come off in England. Mr Thompson is cons sidered a judge of rowing, and as we bave not yet bad the opinion of any per son who has had the advantage of seeing both men thoroughly extended, his remarks are well worthy of perusal by the thousands of colonists who are looking forward to the trial between the two champions. The Australian bookmaker, in bis capacity of representative of Ed« ward Trickett, was warmly welcomed on all bands by tbe rowing men of America, and in company with Mr Wilks, of the 'Spirit of the Times,' he went down to Providence on June 17th to see the great race of Amerioa— -the Hopsßitters Prize — rowed. There were ten competitors, including Boyd ot England, Hanlan, and Wallace Boss. Mr Thompson says : — ' I was introduced to tbe time-keeper and r feree, Messrs Beid and Curtis (aquatic editor of the ' Spirit of the Times '). and the latter gentleman assured me that he was very sorry Trickett had found n friend in England, because tbey had thereby lost the greatest sight they bad ever on their waters; I was beset with innumerable questions as to Australia, but think that I at least succeeded in convincing my questioners that we are civilised. Before going to the race I was introduced to Hanlan. He is not sft 9in. in height, and weighed on the day of the race 10dt lOlbs. To. look at with his clothes on, he is not a man you would be struck with as a rower. He is a perfect gentleman, well educated, and has a style about him tbat any one wonld like. I looked at him in astonishment when he was introduced to me as Hanlan. Mr Curtis, noticing my surprise, remarked on it, and asked me whether I thought Trickett could beat him. I said, ' If you take size into consideration I have but one opinion.' Hanlan asked me how tall Trickett was, and on my telling him 6ft. 3in„ shook bis head, and said, • If he is a good one he will be bard wheat.' I told him he was a very good man, and not to hold bim too cheapi He said, *If Trickett beats me I will shake bim by the hand and say, you are the best man in the world, and I hope be will do the same if I beat him.' He then invited me into his boat«house — tbis was jnst before tbe start for the race — and I there saw his boat. The patent row«locks and sculls are as. far ss I could recollect, just like Trickett's. The rowlocks are ' well outbored,' which enables a mau to go well forward ; but I might as well tell you, in case I forget it, that he does not seem to me to bave tbe quick recovery Ned has. But more of his style of rowing when I give you a description of the race. His sculls are 9ft Bin long, and the blade is 6}in, with a slightly more spooned shape than Trickett rows with. Mr Curtis was kind enough to give roe a stand on the torpedo boat to witness the race. I might as well tell you that I ' fielded ' on the race. Mr Eeid told rae to put a hundred at any price on Hanlan, but. I preferred to stick to the old game. They were laying 3 to 1 on him. In fact, the ' pools ' barred Hanlan, and sold Boss and Boyd, who were next fayourites. When I saw Hanlan take his preliminary canter I wonld, if I had been on shore, have taken another hundred at 3 to 1 that he tost. He has a most beautiful, clean, scientific style of rowing, something the same as Messenger, of Melbourne, but he is a better puller than the Victorian, tbongh, in my opinion, he lacks power; and the idea of them felling you, as you have heard some Americans in Australia say when they speak about him, that his boat skims on the top of the water — none of that stopping after he recovers himself— it is all nonsense. 1 think he leans too far back, and does not get the clpan sweep Ned does. He does his work a little behind the rowlocks, which causes his boat to dwell a little ; but still be is a very neat sculler, and for a man of his siz? a little wonder. He has, however, never, I am certain, met Ned Trickett, or any man approaching; him ; and, although he was beaten in the r.ire I ?.tw, ho has beaten all the men tint rowed in it at ether times, exoept ing Boyd. When the pistol was fir i'd for thera to ' Go,' rver-m-in — there were ton starters— s'ruck the water at once. I had my watch on Hanlan, and he was rowing thirty«seven to the minute, His station was No. 12 Boyd was next, No. 11, and Boss was No. 1. After they had gone a quarter of a - mile,, Hanlan got away from Boyd,, aad

by the time they bad gone a mile Boss and Hanlan were together several lengths in front of the otheis, pulling thirty-five to the minute, and going stroke for stroke. It was a really fine sight, and Bnyone wbo is a judge could see that Hanlan was doing bis best. At one time I was witbin]twenty yards of each man, and I could plainly see Hanlan grinding his teeth at his work, and Boss doing the same. When they had gone one mile and a half tbey were pulling tbirty«two, and at this point Hanlan stopped for about a stroke, and then laid down to his work again, but Ross had got two lengths ahead, I think, while Hanlan stopped. Quarter of a mile further Hanlan stopped again— as though in pain— for another stroke, and when they bad got to the two-mile stake— they row two miles each way, and each man has bis own slake to turn— Boss rowed five seconds in front of Hanlan, and the third man was thirty-five seconds behind Haulan. They came sweeping back, Boss pulling a strong steady stroke, and as Hanlan was splash* ing. I knew, bar accident I',1 ', which would win. As Boss passed us we cheered him, and he said ' I've got him to-day.' When tbey bad got about a qnarter of a mile towards home, Hanlan stopped pulling, and held his side as though in pain. We went to bim, and asked if we should take bim in the boat. He thanked us, and said he had the stitch in bis side, but would get home all right. I have no doubt Hanlan was not as well as he might have been, though he assured me in the morning he w»s never better in his life ; but from the jump off he could nerer gel away from Boss, and even when he stopped the first time Boss was a little ahead of bim. The winner is a fine young man, and was in splendid fettle. He said be» fore start, *If Hanlaa wins to day I will never row against him a^ain-' He stands six feet, and is a powerful fellow and knows how to row. I have but one opinion as to tbe match between Trickett and Hanlan, and that is, tbat is if Ned is well te will beat Hanlan as easily as any man he ever pulled against. I know Hanlan bas no better style than Ned and I am certain he has not got tbe power. I ara going over to England about the 16th of July, and will see Ned and tell li'm all I know as to Hanlan and how the race was run. There are a great many here who think Hanlan never tried, but he tried, Joe, as hard as any man ever tried to win. The race was four miles, and when they turned for home ibe water was rough. The wind blew strong, the water having a fine white cap on. The official time was 29min. 50sec. I made it balf a seocnd quicker. In tbe excitement of tbe race I forgot to see what time they did the first two miles in. Taking tbe weather coming back into consideration, and having to tarn a stake, it is not bad time if the distance is correct* and I bave no doubt it is.'