The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-05 00:00:00

ERITH REGATTA.
This regatta, at which very valuable prizes were offered
for competition amongst gentlemen of the great aquatic clubs,
and in which some of the first-rate London watermen also
contended, came off yesterday. Au effort was made last
year to get up a meeting of this description at Erith, but it
was altogether a very lame affair, and attended with but very
indifferent success. That of yesterday, however, more than
realized the expectations of the most sanguine, and-the Erith
regatta may now be looked upon as one of the standard
aquatic banquets with which the public are favoured during
the season. A number of influential gentlemen resident in
the vicinity had formed themselves into a committo, to
conduct the races, and, asssisted by T. L. Jenkins, Esq., the
indefatigable honorary secretary of the Thames Regatta, such
arrangements were made as induced a gre,at number of gen-
tlemen to enter the lists, and a vast assemblage of persons
to congregate to witness the sport. The Ruby steamer and
the Queen of the-Thames started from London at eleven
hi the morning with but few on board, which may
be mainly accounted for by the very unfavourable
state of the weather ; but within two hours of their
arrival at with they were crowded with persons of rank and
fashion. Some private apartments at the Pier Hotel had
been, we understand, set apart for some of the carriage com-
pany. The band of the Royal Artillery, consisting of twenty-
five performers, under the able direction of Mr. M'Kenzie.
performed the most popular airs during the day with great
taste; the various boats in the vicinity were covered with
flags; every inch of ground where a view could be 'com-
manded, was occupied before the rowing commenced, large
booths were erected, and everything bore the appearance of
excitement and gaiety. -
The races commenced at half-past two, with.the first heat
of the watermen's pair-oared wager, and was succeeded by other
boat races; but in order to save the reader trouble, we shall
at once detail each race under its own head :
Amateur Four-Oared Race, for the Silver Presentation Cup,
value 50 guineas. Distance, from Purfleet Point up to the
Committee and boat off Erith-pier (about one mile and
three-quarters.)
First Heat.—Royal Academy Club—Blue and Red.—T.
G. Atkinson, stroke; 3. S. D. Cooper ; 2. H. M. Cooper;
1. W. E. Revell ;A. F. Cameron, coxswain. , •
Bartholomew Club—Light Blue, Gold Cross-LLG.' frog,
stroke ; 3. H. Green ; 2. R. Stevens; 1. J. M. Giratizikane •
Hulme, coxswain.-
Guy's Club, Second Crew—Lilac, Green Cross.—M. Ainger,
stroke ; 3. Jawet ; 2. Howard ; 1. G. Rose ; .IL • Martin,
coxswain.
A very fine start was succeeded by the Academy and Guy's
rowing away, oar and oar, from the third boat ; the Academy
then drew slightly in advance, and a spirited race followed,
the Academy winning by three parts of a length only.
Second Heat—The Royal Artillery Club, Red.—Barker,
stroke; 3. Radcliffe; 2. Branding; 1. Thorndike; Philpotts,
coxswain. •
The Neptune, Light Blue.—J. Walmsley, stroke ;3. W.
Robinson ; 2. G. Palmer ; 1. C. Harrington ; G. Walmsley,
coxswain.
The Thetis Club, Purple.—G. C. Porter, stroke ;3.W. B.
Long; 2. T. Harrison ; 1. J. Robinson ; Felder, coxswain.
The Artillery, who rowed in a beautiful boat of Messrs.
Serle's, after a few strokes, ran away with the lead, and won
easily; the other two, in their eagerness for second place,
fouled, and the Neptune came in half a length ahead of the
Thetis. The umpire at first gave his opinion that both were
disqualified in consequence of the fouling, in which he shared
the blame between them, but as both felt confident of suc-
cess, and "were eager for the fray," they were started
together, to determine which should be in the grand heat.
It was a desperate pull throughout, neither having a decided
lead for the first mile; the Neptune then drew a slight head,
and won by half a length, both crews being very much dis-
tressed.