, 1863-07-28

Tho Champion Boat Race at Pou1h-
keepsfe, N. Y.

AZ the hoIels and pubic houses we're full,
9h0 the e. universal talk was boat, boat races,
orally at two to one on Hammi1 up to near
the start. when ffom the freedom with which
the Ward men took au the offers they could
get at such great odds, ths Pittsbnfshera held
bringing It down to 500 to }C0, and Ut length
to 3lo0 70 $s5; and after the bouts had start
cd. the Ward men came out flatfooted and
offer ed to bet even on their fAvorite. Strangely
enorgh, at the very time, on board the Judges
boat. md With u bud star t for Hanmill, wRen
Ward was leading him length. Mr. Stephen
Fleming, Of Pittsburgh, AIr. UamtalI's
hacker, offered 500 to $50 on his beatine
Ward, and mes With no takers; at Rutzer's
Hotel, early In the morning, an Albany gen
tieman offered to bet $500 even on Hammill,
VT had It for fact that Mr. Flemiog had de-
posted $20, ,o0O In the banks, great portion
| OF which he invested on Hammilt. The
crowds on the docks and in the steamboat
h hotea Eere immense, two propellers having
gsrs. and small one from Cornwall with
Ward md his immediate friends. He lives,
apd trained himself at Cornwall, which &c.
| counts for bis tine condition. It is said that
In the schuS kill race he was trained by other
m bands and ont Of condition, hence his defeat
| from Pittsburgh, where Uammfll halls from,
| and one from that locality, in answer
| to question as to Hammiil's muscle,
said he didn't know much about his muscle,
but be had lungs like foEge-belows-rather
suggestive Of the mans occupation. 4 large
elsgation come from the Empire City Regat-
II Club, Harlem Riyer-where Hammill train
ed-with Mr.. Stephen Roberts, the President
OF the Club: and Mr. Cote, the treasurer,
and other oflcers; and beside those who went
the Albany day boat and Poughkeepsie boat,
the steamboat VIM Kent took up large
uumheF On special trip. A great many were
Known to hare come from the far West, Can
adaand other places, many Of whom witnessed
the race from excursion boats and small crafts:
and in addition to the docks, every available
position from the h0Naes on shore was filled:
aud the Kaa1 Rock-150 feet perpendicular out
Of the deep water Of the Hudson-was COW
cr< d with the elite Of the city and neighboring
country.
THE MEN AND THEIR BOATS.
Joshua Ward Is 6 feet high, oS years old, aud
Weighs 164 pounds; he pulls long, steady |
stroke, which is considered best f3r 4 lasting
race. His boat-Dick Rtsden, Of New York
was built BY George Shaw. Of Newburo. Of |
muhoga1iy; 2915 feet long, II inches beam,
and weighs IS pounds.
Years old, and weighs 1853 pounds. He pulls !
q short, quick stroke, which, with rippled |
water and his narrow boat, might have been
IN cdvantaEe to him, but the water In this |
race WuS rs smooth as glass.
=, This boat Is named tue Alexander King, of |
Ibtsburg, Penn, and was built Of mahogany, |
~ Mckay, Of Wuliamsburgh, N. 7. she IS !
~ 1eet long, Il inches beam, and weighs so |
pounds. Doth boats were what Is called shell |
boats, that isalmost cut down to the waters /
edge, and covered with canvas fore and aft, |
rHcept a small well-hole In the centra for the /
n'an 10 sit in, and rigged with out risgers to |
hold the row locks.
THE COURSE, TIE START AND RACE.
The start was from the Judges boat, in the
middle Of the river, of the Kaal Rock. to q |
poitt In the middle Of the river tWo md O |
half miles mp the river; each man to turn 4 |
separate"hoat 100 yards apart, and near the
middle Of the river, nnd return to the start. I
Ing point. The tide was about three-ouartess
tocd, and The men tossed for choice Of upper
stake bouts, which was won by Hammul, who
chose the easternost boat, leaving Ward to
in1n the boat towards the west side of the
llver; this WAS considered Ia favor Of Hamill
on the return, as he could tho sooner get out
Of the strength Of the food tide, by getting
into the slack water on the eastern shore:
both were to turn his boat from the east to
W. west, ,.i and n doing 50 the lighter, s1allover
couple Of lengths on Hammtl in turning.
The start took place exactly at three O'CLOCK.
by the firing Of pistol, upon which Hammilf |
shook bis head, and said, mo-" making no |
attempt at start but seeing no recognition |
AN .~4AoAA ~ AAV 4AlEE4 Aut1 LQlk " Afu /
had started boats length in front, he quick |
as y fash, bent down to It, aud rot under wav
with will, and reached the upper boat lust
three lengths behind Ward, losing two more
10 turning, and finally came in ten lengths be.
hind Ward, who won the race in Il minutes.
10 seconds. Tho same distance had been
done By John Blglan, on the Harlem River, in
81 minutes.
Upon the result being anticipated near the
CID oI tie race, Poughkeepsie seemed as if il
would hare tuEnsd over into the Hudson.
The crinoline on the kaal Rock seemed In
more than usual fiutter, and so intent were all
On their tavorite hero that the rock might
have toppled over without their takins any
notice I'LL the dip In the Hudson had cooled
their enthusiasm. The screams Of delighted
humanity and Of steam whistles was never 80
astounding. In short, the Newbu1gh propel-
1ers seemed likely to run poor HamniIi
down, SO anxions we're the living freight to
embrace Josh. Ward as be came il.
Ofcourse large amounts Of money cbauped
hands, and renewed attempts will be made to
brirg the men together for conquering
match.
FALL REGETTA OF TIE EMPIRE CITY REGErrA
CLUB.
Mr. Roberts, the President, and Mr.. Cote.
thc Treasurer, begged our reporter to an.
nounee that early il the fall they viii give a
grand tour-oared boat race, md hope boat.
men Will prepare accordingly against the an-
uouncement is publicly made.