The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-21 00:00:00

THAMES GRAND REGATTA.
FIRST DAY.• •

This " monster" aquatic annual, } which'has fors m
weeks past been the chief topic of conversation amongst
rowing men of all grades, commenced yesterday at Put-
ney, under the able management of a comm;ttee of gen-
tlemen selected from the principal aquatic clubs, who have
been unremitting in their endeavours to produce this
aquatic banquet in the best possible manner.
The programme contained features of more than ordi-
nary importance, and the excitement that prevailed,
especially with respect to one of the races yesterday—
that for the champion prize, open to all the world—was
of the most intense description.
As the time approached for the commencement of the
sport, the indications of unpropitious weather for the
attendance of company gradually disapreared, and Om
sun diffused its cheering influence over the scene ; but
the weather was far from favourable for rowing, espe-
cially in craft of the present fragile construction. The
wind blew at intervals in such gusts as thr, atoned to
capsize the small boats ; but, although the labour was
rendered considerably greater by this circumstance, they
weathered it excellently.
The attendance of spectators throughout the day was
immense, and eclipsed that of any former year. The
towing-path extending from Putney to Chiswick Eyot,
the grounds of the Bishop of London, on the Fulham
side of the river, which had been *kindly thrdwn open to
the public, Putney and Hammersmith bridges, and every
other spot where a glimpse could be obtained of any part
of the various races, were crowded with persons anxious
to witness the sport, amongst whom were many thou
sands of ladies.
The racing commenced at three o'cloCk, and continued
until half-past seven o'clock. In order to facilitate the
reader, each race will be found complete under its
head, and not in the order in‘ which,' for the sake of
giving the men time to test, it was found necessary to
row them:—

APPRENTICRS' MATCH FOR COAT. BADGE, AND FREE-
DOM; THE GIFT OF MR. EVAN MORRIS.
FIRST HEAT.
T. Cole, Chelsea (light blue) ...
J.O.- Cole, Chelsea (stripe)...
Chapman, London- bridge (red) ...
Blake, Chelsea (purple) ...
Won easily.
SECOND HEAT. •
W. Campbell, Lambeth (black)
W. S. Hallam, Lambeth (green)
Perry, Lambeth (yellow) ...
Andrews, Paul's-wharf (pink)
The superiority of the first man was evident beforc he
had rowed a hundred yards. Won easily.

... 1
... g

.• •

Q

GRAND HEAT.

W. Campbell (black) ... 1
There should have been three other starters in this
heat, but as they did not come to the post the umpire,
after waiting a considerable time, started Campbell, who
had been ready for some time, and he rowed over the
distance.
CHAMPION FOUR-OAR RACE, FOR 100 SOVS. OPEN TO

ALL THE WORLD., '
FIRST HEAT. "
St. Agnes, Newcastle-upon:Cine (pink)
H. Clasper. I W. Clasper.
J. Wilkinson. H. Clasper.
G. Oliver, coxswain.

•• • 1

... 2

The Unity, London (red
T. Combes. Messenger.
John Phelps. R.O om bes (the champion)

D. Caombes, stecrer.

.••
Chelsea Crew (black) ...
T.
Holmes.T. Chittle.
I
B. Herring. G. Shepherd.
C. Cownden, coxswain.

~. 0

GT.h ec Solhliankgssp.eare Club, Mianchlle.stAeru(ity.ellow) ... 0
T. M'Cormac. I S. C. Wood.
This was the all exciting race of the day, and upon
which much diversity of opiniOn' prevailed with respect
to the merits of the competing parties. .The renowned
Claspers appeared to have a' strong call in their favour
amongst many; while the Chatiapion's crew was more in
request with others. These were singly backed against
each other or the field as the taste of the sportsthin
gested. ' Some hints were thrown out about, the Man-
chester men being awkward customers, but they did not
appear to have a very strong early' -behind them in the
'betting way. Shepherd's crew was not 'without admi•
rers,.and backed at even against the Manchester.
• They all made a very fine start, the distance in this
race being from Putney'to'Chisviek Eyot, 'except the
Manchester boat; which hang flee; and; considering the
circumstance of their having the superior station, did nut
seem able to work- with any 'Chance of success agtiinit
their obviously more' powerful' competitors. The
Clasper's and Shepherd's crow were oar and oar, the
Champion's lying close up ; but the steerage of the
Chelsea boat was so extremely'bad that,' but for the cir-
cumstance of, the Claspers absolutely out.of their'
water to avoid it, a collision must have'taken place. .Off
the committee barge, opposite Messrs. Searle's, the
Claspers had about half theirownlength clear., Shep-
herd's were coming on closely as second, and the Chain-
pion's about half their length, or airifle More, behind.
thein. The Manchester boat remained 'dead astern.
The Claspers gradually increased their lead, and won by
three lengths. A very determined race followed betiiteen
the Champion's and Shepherd's crew, which, through
bad steering of the latter by a little 'boy, again nearly
led to a collision, and almost drove the other boat on
shore. The Champion's crew overhauled theni at liam-
mersmith-bridge, went through the lumpy water above it
• in gallant style, as second in the heat. •
• • - SECOND HEAT'. '

" Never Mind- It," Loridou (yellow. an-:I black) 1
I
Mackenney. ' Doubleaer. ' .
it Newell. ' '' cW. rode& .- A
W. Cox, coxswain.
The Bells Crew, .North'Shielas gfcen)
W. Boyle. J. Robson.
T. Armstong.
___ ' - `-E. Armstiong.
.... ,

... 2

W. Forster, coxswain.
Coles' Crew, Chelsea (red and white)
J. Cote. T. Cole.
J. Cole, Jun. J. Pressie.
R. Irons, coxswain.
Oxford Waterman (purple)
Cook. Payne.
I Surridge. West.
J. Temmins, stcerer.
.Blue Belle, Lambeth (light blue). ...
Constable. I Saiby.
Brummel. Turner.
Brummel, coxswain.
AmOngst the above were two crack crews, of whom
much was expected. Rumour said that both the Oxford
and Coles were most powerful crews, and they certainly
exhibited to great advantage, but their opponents in the
heat were too good for them.
After some little difficulty in getting the Coles to go,
all went well to work at first rate speed. Green, blue,
and yellow and black then for Med a line in front, and
were oar and oar olf the committee-barge and for some
distance further. Yellow and black then shot away gra-
dually from the Belle crew, who had just got a trifile in
front, and the rowing was continued with gieat spirit.
Above the Vice-Chancellor's Newell.went away, held it,
and won by three lengths; Bells closely waited upou by
the Coles, who rowed extremely well.- -

... 0

... o

... o

GRAND HEAT. •
St. Agnes (the Claspers) .••
• • 1
•
Unity (Coombos) .
Bells (Shields)
The fourth boat (Newell's) did not st,art.._ ;they were_._
ndt ready at the N timif °aming., an'icttiti lingl)oen waile
for as long asiliet umpire possibly eould;- the/start Was
madq without them. It was certainly a beautiful start,
and a most gallant race. The Claspers and Coombes
were at desperate work, and off the committee barge the
Claspers had just succeeded in drawing half their length
in advance of the Coombeses, but, as both the latter and
the Shields steered too much into Barn Elms, while the
others kept a beautiful course,,it was a general impres-
sion that they would soon overhaul them. This, how-
ever, was not so, the Claspers graduallY went further.
away, every inch of water being' gallantly disputed by
the Coombeses. The race was won by upwards of two
lengths. The Shields crew fell a long way astern.
WATERMEN SCULLERS' MATCH FOR 50 Soy's.
FIRST HEAT.
Forrest, Greenwich (black) ... 1
Messans, Richmond (red and white) ... 2
Shelton, Lambeth (yellow)...
Goodrum, Milbank (blue and white) ... 0
Curtis, Customhouse (pink) 0
T. Johnson, Old Bargehonse•
0
Immediately after the start, Forrest took the lead,
kept it, and won easily.
SECOND MEAT.

The umpire waited during a very heavy squall and
shower in vain for many minutes for the competitors,
and ultimately started Short, who was the only person
at the station, and was shortly afterwards followed by
Campbell. The two following were of course the
winners:—
Short, Fountain Stairs (stripes) •••

... 1
2

IL Campbell, Lambeth (green) ••• •". .-h, T.
T. Cook, of Hungerford, B. Doubledee, Lambet
Coombes, and Mackenney should have contended in this
heat.