The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-11 00:00:00

THAMES NATIONAL REGATTA.

It seldom happens that a regatta takes place without a
fall of rain, and it is still more unusual for the Thames N-
ational Regatta to be held at Putney without a deluge of
water. Yesterday proved no exception to the rule, and
although the weather was fine during the earlier races, yet
rain commenced to fall about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and
continued with a few intervals. of fair weather only until
8 o'clock in the evening, when a heavy thunderstorm
broke over Putney, accompanied by a tremendous down-
pour and by repeated flashes of the most vividly blue
lightning seen out of the tropics. The boat races
commenced at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, and
were under the management of the Thames Subscription
Club. As a whole, the rowing was very good, but the
four-oared crews which competed for the chief prize, value
100 sovs., were scarcely up to the average. The first nine
races were rowed up from Putney-aqueduct on the flood,
and the last four down from Hammersmith with the ebb
tide. The course lay between Putney-aqueduct and Ham-
mersmith-bridge, or vice versa., for all the races but the
fours, which finished some distance higher up the river—
viz., at Chiswick-eyot. In the Open Scullers and in the
Yiratermen's Apprentices races the first boat in each trial
heat was alone allowed to row in the final heat, but the
second boats in the former race were permitted to start for
a consolation prize at the close of the day.
The sports commenced with a
Scullers' Race, open to the world ; first prize, 4'20 ; second,

£lO ; third, £5 ; and fourth, £3.
FIRST HEAT.
G. Cannon, Blackwell . . 1
J.
H. Clasper, Newcastle 2
H. Cole, Chelsea
Henry Kelly, of Putney, was entered, but did not start,
as we on Monday hinted would bo the case. The lead was
at once taken up by Cole, who is remarkably quick at get-
ting a boat under way, Clasper going on second, and
Cannon last. Just below the London Rowing Club boat-
house Clasper passed Cole, and Cannon also rowed up to
Cole, soon afterwards leaving him. These positions were
maintained up to Craven-cottage; where Cannon rapidly
gained upon Clasper, and succeeded in passing him just
above that well-known landmark. The Blackwall man
thereafter increased or diminished his lead at his pleasure,
and won very easily by three lengths ; the same distance
between Clasper and Cole.

SECOND MAT.
R. Chambers, Newcastle i
J. Sadler, Putney
J. Percy, of Newcastle, was entered, but did not scull.
Chambers made the most of an even start, and rowed so fast
that he was clear of Sadler at the Star and Garter, and at
the Bishop's-creek, just above the London Club boat-house,
had increased his lead to nearly two lengths. Undei the
Willows, however, Sadler began to gain upon Chambers,
and at the site of the old half-mile post overlapped him,
both men being driven out of their course by a barge. At
Craven Cottage Chambers had again drawn himself clear,
and held a lead of one length and a quarter. Tho positions
of the scullors remained the same until Chambers passed
the Barge-wharf, just above Craven-cottage, where Sadler
put on a spurt and once more overlapped the ex-champion,
but, dying away, the latter again drew ahead. Half-way
between .the Barge-wharf and Rose-bank Sadler again
spurted, but, catching a crab, lost the trifling advantage
he had hoped to gain. At the Crab Tree Chambers led by
a length and three-quarters, but just below the Soap-works
Sadler made another offert, although he failed to eyerhaul

Watermen's Apprentices ; open to Apprentices from Ox-
ford to Gravesend, inclusive. Ist Prize, Coat, Silver
Badge, Freedom of the Thames, and £2 ; second, £5;
third, £3 ; fourth, £l.

FIRST HEAT.
J. Callas, Richmond 1
A Iles, Kew 0
J. Cozen, Twickenham •
W. Hoare, Hammersmith

After one false start, in which three of the lads rowed
nearly half a mile before they would return, the four
scullers were dismissed on very fair terms, Des and Callas
first showing in front, but a few feet only separated all the
boats. Just above the Star and Garter, Coxen and Callas
drew away from the others, but the former fouled Callas,
and dropping astern also fouled Hoare, who fell overboard
at Craven-cottage. In the meantime Callas had obtained a
long lead, which he never forfeited, Iles rowing Coxen
down, and passing under the Suspension-bridge three or
four lengths ahead of him, but several lengths astern of
Callas. Hoare was picked up by a waterman's skiff, and,
gettinginto his wagerboat again, sculled over the remainder
of the cause at his leisure.

SECOND BEAT.
W. Sawyer, Teddington 1
W. Dolwyn, Westminster
W. Sadler, Putney 0

Sadler began to show in front soon after the start, and at
the Star and Garter held a lead of nearly half a length, the
other two being as nearly level as possible. Just opposite
the Duke's Head Sadler appeared to be in difficulties, the
nose of his boat suddenly rising about a foot from the water,
and on his taking the succeeding stroke she parted amid-
ships. Sadler was thus left sitting in the water, the stem
and stern of his wager-boat forming an angle of 40 degrees,
but held together by the iron outriggers. Sawyer and
Doiwyn continued the race, and were level to the half-
mile post, where Sawyer began to draw away, and at
Craven Cottage held a lead of a length and a half. Cross-
ing the water, ho increased his advantage, notwithstanding
a plucky effort made by Dolwyn opposite Rose Bank, and
won by three lengths.