The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-14 00:00:00

BOAT RACE FOR 4:200.

The banks of the Thames at Putney presented a
very animated appearance yesterday afternooe, several
thousand spectators having mustered to witness the exciting
scuilers' race for a stake of 200/. between Frank Kilsby, of
the Old Berge House, and David Coombe', son of the late ex
champion, from Putney to Mortlake, in outriggers. The
race was originated through the last: rue for Doggett
coat, which Coombe" won, Kish,' being second ; but the
latter, thinking that he would have woo but for having boon
fouled by Coombe" and his cutters twice during the
contest, determined to have another trial, and the
present match was made. Kffsby is 73 years of age,
Weeding 5 feet s inches, weighing 104 41b in rowing cue.
Wine. His first appearaoce in a public race was in De-
canter, leak/, in a four, with I). Coombe.", W. J. lanes, and
E. Lloyd, when they defeated the Arundel crew in a canter.
Since then he has rowed several 'cullers' matches, defeating,
amongst others, Spencer (three times), Biffen, Wpw, wad
May. He trained at Salter's, Wandsworth, in company with
George Drewitt, under whose tuition he made a east
im-
provrment ; t having taken cold on Thursday last he hsd
been suffering very much from an ulcerated throat, which it
was thought would have prevented him from starting.
Coombes, who is in his lird year, stands 5 feet Gin inches
in height, and weighed mist bib stripped. He has never
rowed heiore for a stake, but has won the Putney cast,
Larkia'A coat, Doggett's coat, and the Horselydown boat.
lie trained at H. Kelley's, Putney, ie company with J.
Sadler. and although of a rather delicate nature, was in a
first-rate ixeiditiou. The morning opened very dull, with
alight rain, but on arriving at Putney it cleared up a little,
although up to the time of starting it was very hazy. Four
stairuhcata accompanied the race, the betting on board the
umpire's boat undergoing several changes—from 100 to 50
on Combos to even money, and tinnily S and 7 to 1 on him,
at which price the betting continued to the start. Mr. H.
!Salter was appointed umpire for Kilsby, George Ham.
'Lorton for Coombe'. and Mr. C. Newnham referee. if
Kelley was in the bow of Coombes' cotter, while
George Drewitt officiated for Kilsby, who won the toss for
choice of stations, taking the Fulham side. At ten minutes
past two the men rowed off to their stations, both stripping
to the butt, Kilsby wearing a piece of flannel round his
throat. After one break-away they got off to an excellent
start, Kilsbv, who was the first to lay bold of the water
with his skulls, and with a slight lead, which be did
amt long retain, however, for by the time they bad
reeched she pier Coombe" bad obtained the front position,
alYoungh not leading by more than a few feet. At Sim-
11141d$ Coombe' (who was rowing three strokes to his
lepnooent's two) had increased his advantage to half a
length, when Kilsby made a game effort to overhaul him,
but could out get quite level, there being about a quarter of
a length between tam at the Bishop's Creek, the cheers on
both sides being most vociferous. At the Willows Coombes
was again leading by nearly his own length, but boring his
oppooeut too closely .4 the shore, a foul occurred, and
an appeal was made on the part of Kilsby, the referee
ordering them to row on. At the Point Coombe" led by
half t clear length, which he increased to two lengths at
the Dung Wharf. Ilme four minutes 55 seconds. The'
same order was maintained at the Crab Tree ; but at
Hammersmith-bridge Coombe", who had spurted past the
Soap Works,was leading by four lengths, the time being nine '
minutes 10 seconds. At Chiswick Eyot Coombe" had put a
dozen lengths between himself and opponent, who 'trig.
gled gamely after the son of the ex-champion, but was
evidectly labouring in his rowing caused partly by the
diriculty io breathing. Baroarebridge was reached by'
Coombe' in 21 minutes ZtS seconds, by 1%. ilsby in 22 minutes
10 seconds. The winning post at Mortlake was reached by
C.oombee 43 wooed' in advance of Kilsby, the tines occu-
pied by the winner in rowing the distance being 25 minutes
10 woods. On the referee being asked for his decision, be
der:sred Combos the winner, stating that both men were in
fault at the time the foul occurred. After the race 251. •
nide was pasted for a novice to row the winner within three
mouths, from Pinney to Morthke, for a stake of 500/. • side,
the novice, it is believed, being Randolph Cook, who bas
savor rowed a match.