The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05
THE SWIMMING TOURNAMENT.
Twelve Athletes Competing for n 800
Prize Medal-Charles II. Keller the
Winner After n Close Contest.

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Prize Medal-Charlcs ii. Keller the
Winner After Close Contest.
The swimming contest for the prize medal,
valued at 800. which came Off yesterday, at the
foot OF Fity-fourth street, East River was by
far the most exciting contest of the season. The
prize medal was given by Mr.. Richard Allen, who
organized the match. Twelve competitors en-
tered. Their names are as follows:-
Mr.. william Wolf, New York city; Mr.. David
Hahn, Mr.. Thomas Lestrange, Mr.. Frank Brahan
Mr.. August Ernst, Mr.. Patrick Kelly, Mr.. William
Foster Mr.. George Winter, Mr.. Max Bethel Mr..
Flesher and Mr.. F. Donaldson. All were TALL ath.
letic looking young men, OF great courage and
muscle. Mr. Thomas Costello accepted the office
OF referee, and Mr.. Daniel Hurley that of umpire.
The twelve stalwart metropolitan sons of Nep
tune plunged into the river with brave and resolute
intent. The rocks, crevices, baths balconies and
every available place from which good view OF
the contest could be commanded was
occupied by lashonably -dressed ladies' eager
looking men and indiferently gazing loaiers az VI
whom had their favorite IN the water and cheered
and became excited according as each went
ahead OF the OTHER
was given at thirty-hve minutes past five. All
struck out closely together, and found some din
Guilty in passing the nrst current OF the tide which
about iity or one hundred yards in the course
The direction was towards the bay, around
the rock at the IOOt OF BldCkWc1fS Slduu
The distance to be made forward and
back was about two miles. Boats accompanied
the swimmers, bearing Fourth OF July flags on each
Prov. Lestrange-a fne strong swlmmer-io-
lowed on the track OF Ernst. Mi. Wolf was side
by side with the latter. Hahn was iourtn and
Keller directly behind. Ernst turned the rock
first, after some tine swimming and great mus
cular eXerIion Wolf struck in next. Keller
knew the current and went ahead by
one or two lengths. Foster now stood
grand chance OF gaming the prize. He was evil
IDENTIFY the most steady swimmer OF all. After
turning the rock Ernst got cramps, aud was, on
request, taken into one Ol the boats. Keller was
now far ahead Foster swan steadily next, Woln
third and Hahn fourth. Great excitement pre-
vailed as the issue U: the contest. Some bet on
Wolf, who won so many prizes mere
tolore, but a greater number bet on kel-
Ter, who won III the race OF Saturday last.
Lestrange was looked upon as champion SWIM
mer, and several OF his party made bets on him.
Keller came on like fish, noating and driving with
the eddy He was ahead, by two hundred leet, OF
Woln, Foster, Hahn and Lestrange, and by his last
swimming came five minutes anead OF all, recelv-
ing the applause of the crowds as he passed.
Keller made the course In thirty-eight minutes.
Wolf came in second, making the distance In
forty-One minutes.
Foster reached the winning point third. Time
forty three minutes.
Hahn came in fourth, making the distance in
nfty minutes.
Lestrange came in fifth in sixty minutes.
Mr.. Lestrange might have won had he known the
current He sought 10 dispute the prize, but II was
awarded to Keller by the decision OF the Swim
ming Club. Thus terminated the glorious Fourth
in the bosom OF the East River.