The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-09-13
The Great Rowing Match.

=
burgh this forenoon. The air was calm and
the water smooth. The piers, housetops.
shipping and every available point were
crowded with men women and children
A little before six clock the stake boats
were set at a point two miles and a half up
the river from point off the Washington
Iron works, where had been placed the
judges boat, the course thus lying for over
a mile along the river in front of the city.
The prelimlnaries were completed by the
selection of Henry Mum of New Haven,
and Charles Elliott Of Pittsburg, as judges
on the part of Hamill, and r. G. Elliott
and John Crogan of New York, in the same
relation to Brown. Stephen Roberts of
New York, was previously chosen referee.
Brown and Hamill were both promptly
in position in good condition. At twenty
minutes past six the referee gave the signal
to start, and they went off in fine style,
Hamill leading and having the outside of
the course. This position was kept for
nearly mile, when Brown gained on him
and passed him, making gap of length
or two, which, however. was kept but a
short distance, when Hamill again took the
lead, keeping it to the stake boat, which he
reached iii nineteen minutes. and where oc-
Cured a collision, claimed by each to have
been the fault of the other. Accounts
agreed that when Hamill came abreast the
stake boat he was about three lengths
ahead, Brown, however, gaining upon him
with lightning like rapidity. Hamill was
now making turn Of the stake, but with
Brown on the inside, and on the instant the
bow Of the latters boat went crashing
through the cock'eshell in which the former
was seated. Browns boata struck Hamil S
nearly at right angle, driving o hole
through it about foot abaft the cock pit.
Brown quickly backed water, extricated his
boat aud turning the stake boat came on
down the course, arriving at the judges
boat at 1856, making the FIVE miles in 40
minutes sc seconds. Hamill was taken on
board the stake boat and came down to the
city As the reports spread scene of in
tense excitement ensued, and the head
quarters of the referee was besieged by an
immense crowd. Hamill appeared on the
balcony of the United States Hotel and
calling the attention Of the people said :
"Friends-Pay over no bets; [ am all
right.
The judge and referee repaired to pri-
vate parlor and went into an examination
of the evidence. Hamill's friends claimed
the race on the plea that Brown intention
n
| as vOcifer0usly claimed for q verdict, alleg-
ing tina Hamill forced collision by stoping
in Browns course.
The following extract from evidence will
show how differently the judges in the
stake boats looked at the affair
Elliott, judge ior Brown, says "Hamill
WAS ahead; he turned 6rst and was lying
broadside to track, apparently waiting for
Brown to come up and foul him. Brown
boat struck Hamilfs FIVE feet from the
stern, on the port side" Mum, Judge for
Hamill, said 'Hanill was three lengths
! ahead. They we're turning from east to
| vest; when Hamill was turning Brown
gave some tremendous pulls, which sent
him into Hamills boat before the latter
could get out of bis way. 1t was On evi.
| dent foul on the part Of Brown"
Other witnesses were examined With the
| same result. How they saw seemed to de-
pend upon whether they were Browns or
| hamill's mea.
Mr.. Roberts and the judges then pro-
ceeded to the balcony and called attention
| When all was quiet and Roberts was about
to speak, 4 voice at his side broke in vita:
Gentlemen, as friend of Mr.. Brown |
say don't give up your money, We are about
TO appcal." Cheers and grosns we're given
in response. When silence was again ob.
tanned Roberts made the following an
nouacement: Gentlemen, having heard
the tes;insoney OF the judges on both sides,
who have failed to agree, it has become
Bay duty TO decide as to the winner of the
race. As Mr.. Hamill was ahead when he
| commenced TO turn the stake boat, he
had BY the rules Of boat racing, the right
Of track. Mr.. Brown should have gone
outside of him. l therefore decide that
Mr.. Hamill won the race.
Loud cries Of Brown Brown a speech
from Brown" followed this announcement,
tat he did not respond, and the CROWD
quietly dispersed. Browns judges have
| put in an appeal from tho decision, but to
what higher authority they do not state