The New York herald., 1863-07-24
A Q U TIC S

are now laDoring under.
A Q U A lC S.
Great Rowing Match for the On u m pion-
ship or Americs nnd One Thousand
Dollars, Between Joshua Ward, OF New
burg, N. r., and James HamilI. or Pttts-
burg, Pa.-Tho New York Oarsman the
vtctor-Immense Attendance and I'm
tense Excitement mt che Result. &c.
Yesterday the long anticipated and exciting aquatic
contest between Joshua Ward OF Newburg, New York
and James Hami, OF Pttsburg, Pennsylvania FOR one
thousand dollars and tho championship OF American
waters, carne OF the Hudson river at Poughkecpse
and resulted In the victory OF the Empire State repre-
sentative over his game and gallant antagonist and for.
conqueror For tho i've years Joshus Ward has
claimed and maintained the title champion sculcr OF
the United States having met and defeated successfully
all the crack oarsmen Of New Yok Boston Philadelphia
Newburg, Poughkeepse cities that entered the
lists against him at tho various regattas held at the above
places His unvarying extraordinary abIi-
ties as rover inspired hts friends such strong oon
dence In his powers that about two years half ago
they offered to match him against the celebrated Robert
Chambers, who then, now held the title Champion
Of the Thames In England agreeing at the time allow
the latter the sum OF $500 for expenses to this
country on the river Hudson. Chambers Immediately
cepted this proposal but owing to delay tho
gotiatons and the breaking OF the civil war here the
match fell through, and Ward continued to hold unchal-
lenged his title OF champion until last sum
mer when James Hamill, rising young oarsman,
Of Pittsburg, Pa, who had been successful in all
his provincial matches, threw down the gauntlet 70 him.
and boldly deled him to three miles and
five miles respectively, for $3.50 each race. Ward
promptly accepted the terms proposed the matches
came off last September on the neutral waters OF the
Schuylkin river, at Philadelphia, when Hami won both
with consummate ease to the CONSERVATION surprise
OF the hackers OF the champion who invested yerv
heavily on their representative
After this double victory Haml, as he justly ent
man in tho United States TO him OF miles
any amount At this time great aquatic contest for the
championship OF the Thames was pending in England,
Chambers having been challenged by two par
ties, Everson, OF Greenwich, and Richard Green,
who claimed TO be the Champion or Australian
oarsmen Hami published a challenge, Offering to
the winner, any OF the above three contestants
match in this country, liberal be allowed for ex
and w ss
Eveson and Green. About three months ago the
to the conclusion OF aordng him another
opportunity retrieving his laurels believing his asser
ton that when defeated before he in good cond
ton having underrated powers Of his opponent and
had consequently not paid sufficient attention HIS train
ing preparation They offered to match him against Ha-
mill for $500 side to Of five miles the Hud
son river at Newbnrgh. Hamil jumped at the proposal
tuay the fixed the Hudson opposite pough
Ss Being duly an went into
active training. Hamil during his preparation visited
river In June, and again tho recent Fourth Of July
regatta, defeating both occasions easily the men op
On the Harlem the menorsb UI M , rsae
and experienced oarsan, Mr. Stephen Roberts, and his
condition on the day was magnificent. He stands about
five feet six inches in height but his develop.
meut rs study for sculptor for there ounce
Of superfuous flesh on him. Ward trained at home.
CORNWALL about four miles from Newburg tho Hudson
and he spared exertion to into the ble
condition His height exceeded Hamilis six inches
On arriving at Poughkeepse yesterday noon we found
the place crowded by strangers and every
train and steamer augmentng the number OF visitors
Philadelphia and New York, were present in great num-
bers while Newburg seemed literally have turned
on. {" ass 70 wnsss tnsr iavorite oarsman contend
immense amount Of grecnbacks were staked on the re-
suit Hamn was the favorite, for after 500 10 $50
before hour fixed for the start (nrce O'Clock r. MY
SO anxious were the Ptsbursers to get their money
snapped up by the hackers OF the New York state repre-
sentative.
the Judges boat for the start, which moored the
centre Of the rycr nearly opposite the pier at Pough
half miles M the river 70 . point where two
stakeboas were anchored for zach TO 90 around
to avoid chance Of foulng, and back again to
the place OF starting The judges were. for Hamiil
Mr.. stephen Roberts, OF New York; for Ward, Mr. Tim
Doaohue Of Newburg for referee, Mr.. Edward Ennis,
OF Poughkcepsie Eaml rowed in . beautiful outrig.
ger built by Mackay, OF New York and in which he had
rowsd and defeated Ward twice before called the
shell boat built by the well known George shaw OF New
burg, and named the "Dck RisdoD," after OF his
(wards 81 staunchest hackers and warmest personal
friends This boat was twenty feet inches long,
seventeen inches wide and i've inches ueep and only
weighed forty three pounds. Hamis shell was lit.
tie heavier and slightly longer The coors Of the latter
were blue shirt and red cap, while Ward had white
SKIRT and minus cap.
As the boats drew into line the sirht was most beau
tifu and exciting one The Coll Rocka noble cmincnce,
which lowered aiot, far above the bayand Immediately
VftVo Ha1t
with SPECTATORS among whom numbers Of gay and
elegantly dressed ladies' whose presence gave add
tora attraction to the The New York side Of
river dense with surgng Of humanity there
being fully fifteen thoufand people present witness the
Judge that they go at report Of pistol and
precisely at three O'Clock the signal given. Ward
dashed his oars into the water Immediately but Ha
ciaIing tnat "he wouldn't 60" Ward, after taking a
stroke. ceased rowing for moment but a the cry OF
Ego onn from the Judges boat he resumed his and
when Hamil at the advice Of his Judge started
he fun boats length ahead And now the struggle
became interesting, while the contrast In the style of
rowing of the two men was plsiply bile Ward
with long, steady sweeping stroke regular and
steady acten the OF piece q power
full, MASSIVE machinery. lie bends 10 his oars with
will, throwing the entire OF his muscular
fy eayey n he waters bv ~, s sse seen pam ~
the other hand sets upright 10 his oars rowing
with quicker and shorter yet withal powerful stroke
nped 10 the shoulders and arms. His action is 20 !
much quicker than Wards that he At least FIVE
stfukes nvtuinR put mn extra
ordinary ply seal powers enable him TO maintain
such quick action for long period He gained on
Ward before they had gone quarter of a mile but
could not pass him, as Wards long md steady stroke
enabled him 10 keep his position In front. Rounding the
ssakeboa st the end Of bali the distance be rowed,
Ward three lengths ahead: but Hami here gained
couple OF lengths by turning the quicker ward how.
ever put on spurt, and took clear lead of dozen
lengths, which bis fine style Of rowing regular and 90
effective In is action, enabled him increase dmi
nsh at his pleasure As they returned and within
sight the excitement OF the assembled thousands became
intense. Within quarter U . mile from home the
position and chances Of the contestants became clearer
and tremendous and long continued burst of cheering
from the shore proclaimed that Ward was leading.
At every stroke his became matter of
tanty and without relaxing his exeTtiona be continued
70 pull strong and regularly he had done a tho hss
the yng Of the signal gun Of victory proclsnug him the
winner OF the by ten lengths and restoring 70 him
bis forfeited title Of Champion osrsman q Amerca.n