The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-08-16
THE CONTEST WITHTHE OARS.
Struggle for the Championship Of
Our Waters.


Our Waters.
No better day could have possibly been
selected for the great boat race which has
been so much talked about, and which
was so universally announced, than was
Saturday. The weather was all that
could be desired; the wind was quiet, and
everything combined, tended to make the
race one of the finest that has ever taken
place The interest was unusually
great, inasmuch US at the last race be-
tween the two rivals for the cham pionship.
James Corcoran and James Manton, the
contest was very close, and it had been
confidently asserted that with proper
training Corcoran could easily "get
away with his rival. This opinion
seemed to prevail, though many present
remembering the 1.-the, wirey appearance
Of Manton, and the ease with which he
pulled his quick stroke at the finish
of the last race, were certain that it would
take an immensely good man to beat
him. 1t was generally calculated, there
fore, that the race would result in neck
10y neck, or rather bow by bow, struggle,
and consequently excitement ran high
while bets were about even.
The contestants were announced to
start at five o'clock. Long before that
hour, however. tremendous crowd had
assembled which, not thinking of the
hot rays Of Il burning sun pouring down
upon them, eagerly waited for the word
go" 1t was about half past five before
the referee, Mr.. Caldwell, got into posi-
ton, and twas nearly six when this word
was gwen for the start. At the word
they got off, Corcoran having won the
choice and taking the Ohio side.
As Il send oil, the general opinion was
that it was not good one, because of
little confusion, but in moment all was
right again, NMantoE pulling 43 strokes
to the minute, and Corcoran 81. Here
again Corcoran's friends predicted that he
would win in the long run, they claiming
that Manton could not possibly keep up
his strok". Atone time too, the prediction
seemed to be likely TO be fulfilled, for at
the stake boat, Corcoran was some dis
lance ahead, and making u very fine
turn, the chances were in his favor. He
kept the lead until reaching Benson's
Ferry and the knowing ones who were
watching the pulIers with opera glasses,
| began to run around looking for
bets against the Hegner man.
J But everything was changed in few
minutes. Manton made squirt passed
/ his rival. and then continued to lengthen
| the distance between himself and his OPP
ponent. until he came in, at the close, about
one hundred and fifty yards ahead
The match was for $3.50 ASIDE,
and Of course the stakes were
given to the winner. Corcoran
stated that when ne was passed, he was
seized with dizziness and cramps, but be
youd This ne made no claim; and man
fully acknowledged himself vanqushed.
The winners time was % minutes
! 1 10 seconds. But for Corcoran attack
however, the race would have been
very close one, and it is generally con-
coded that each man would have met in
the other, ioeman worthy Of his oar.
1t is pretty well determined on, that
race between Ed. Powell and Frank
Denmnrsh, respectively the trainers of
Manton and Corcoran, is to take place
very soon. We understand the money
/, already up. These two, some time
since, rowed a race at Pittsburgh, which
Denmarsh won by half Il length.