The New York herald., 1872-09-20
A q u AT I @.
THE GREAT SINGLE scULL RACE
Ward VS.. Biglln-Five Miles In Thirty
nine Minutes -Biglin the Winner
by Three Lengths.

ward had fOt some Time past exclted Mucu bpecu-
lation. The representatives OF the two great fam-
lies OF American oarsmen were matched after
much controversy and argument to row q nve-mile
race with one turn for $500 side, at Nyack. on the
Hudson. Yesterday this great aquatic event came
on and the result completely upset the calculations
OF the immense number Of people who had,
in view OF Ellis Wards repeated victories,
formed very strong and favorable opinions of his
science q sculer and also OF his excellent
physique. The morning dawned In q most unprom-
ising manner, and the several rapid changes In
the weather deferred many from witnessing the
race; nevertheless about dozen Of the we'll
known steamboats, and tugs plying on the river
and in the harpOr took a largo number of pas
sengers on board, and in the alternate changes Of
rain and sunshine steamed toward Nyack within
hailing distance Of each other. The otherwise
quiet little town soon became animated, and that
with an element which appeared to strike terror
to the hearts Of the citizens. Many OF them closed
their places OF business and others
FORTIFIED THEMSELVES
within their homes John Bign had been pro-
vidcd with temporary quarters at hotel, where ne
remained quietly until called for the race. He was
attended by his brothers, Barney and Philip, and
an immense number OF his adherents were assem-
bed in front OF the building. Ellis Ward had been
at Sing Sing during the time which he devoted to
training and practice with his brother Charles, who
accompanied him on the steamboat Eliza Hancock
which brought large party OF the Ward friends
and several OF the brothers. The wind was
FITFUL AND PUFFY,
blowing from twenty diiYerent points OF the COM
pass and the water was at one time well up with
whitecaps About four O'Clock the sky brigntene
the west ana the mas aaH eaEn
from the northeast Several prominent boating
were % to act as aha Of
Atalanta Club. Active preparations were now
made to get the race or the stakeboats f were
placed ana tae men ,d mI.ec commoto~ Touv was Vs
bic In
and John Biglin appeared upon the shore Ellis
Ward was transferred to the schooner which
marked the starting point and both men made
ness and denberation. John Biglin weighed 1853
pounds, which Is a trhe over his usual rowing
weight but his clear fresh SKIN iooke1 tr ana
vitality. A continual confident smile lurked about
the corners OF his mouth, and bis bearing inspired
his numerous adherents, who llad freely taken
THE ODDS OFFERED
against their favOrite. Ellis Ward was also in
superb condition. really finer than his opponent,
showing that elasticity and exquisite muscular de-
velOpment upon which the artists OF the profession
pride themselves.
John BgMn; weight, 163 lbs, height, feet OK
inches; age 30 years and months. shell !, boat
Sf'nes Of ersenpo1nt' eel ' % 80 feet inches length
by II inches beam, rigged with sliding n.ni,g
seat. Dress, dark Dlue knee-pIeecnes, Whte
merine rowing shirt, blue cOlors on head.
Ellis Ward, weight, l4s lbs; height, feet II
inches age, % years. Shell boat Argonauta, built
by Jewett, OF punston-on-ryne, England; 81 feet
long by 1lh inches beam, also rugged with sliding
seat. Dress, light blue knee breeches, white me-
rinO rowing shirt and red cOlOrs on head.
The tive competitors completed their prepara-
tions and got aiOat about half-past four O'Clock,
and were loudly Sneered by tner 1s respeectye
friends, who now rushed back upon the steamDoats
THE COURSE
| was from schooner anchored off the lower dock
ral,A rnd W. md n
| half miles south and return, making five miles,
The weather had now assumed more favorable
% Of eb6 and the surface was fair without bewever,
being smooth. The wind had settled III from the
northwest blowing light and steady.
| At AS tho two great GcuIIors undor the bow
the he s9s% their sna a
was in consequence further OUT In the stream CIV
ing him trifng advantage in the tide After the
watched each other closely, and the slightest mo-
| ton ON the part OF Ward appeared to send the
Biglin boat length ahead. After considerable
mannuvring OF this order had been indulged in
the referee told them that he would not start them
unless they were fairly and evenly aligned Al Al
| gether nicely, and sent them of with TIE simple
word ''go.n Biglin got away like ball from bat
| gaining a lead OF half length at the start; WARD
| settled steadily to his work on the first stroke
| ROWING BEAUTIFULLY.
| and gradually cutting down the slight difference
in their relative positions. When or the Institute
at the southern limit Of Nyack they were again as
| they started bow and bow, and remained so untl
! they turned their stakebOats, which Biglin accom-
pllshed in 16m. 55s., making an excellent turn
| Ward followed inside OF five seconds making
| q greater sweep. The next mile and half was
but a repetition OF the first half OF the race but
| from here Bign, making
A SUPERB SPURT,
| drew away from his opponent, opening a gap o
| three lengths between them, which he retained to
! the end, winning most beautiful and creditable
race in Bonn. 05s. The judges were Charles B. Ell
lott and John Blair for Biglin Josh Ward and James
| Ten Eyck for Ward. Referee, George Springstcin
| n IimekeeDer. COmmOGOr,
Benjamin +. Brady.
The betting prior to the race ranged from 100 t.
so to 100 to 55 in Wards favor, and, as the odd
were quietly taken by the Biglin party, an enor
nous sum must have changed hands on this 'Occa
sion. 1t was quite dark before the several steam
| boats got under way Tor this city, which .the
| reached about nipe O'Clock.