Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-07
The Championship Race.
Especial to the New York Times. ]


MONTREAL, Oct. 3-"Hanlan wins" These
two words repeated from mouth to mouth and
posted everywhere on bulletins have sufficed to
set all Montreal wild with joy tonight. The
great ive-mile sculling match between Edward
Hanlan, of Toronto, and Charles Courtney, of
Union Springs, n. " for 81 900 a side, and
purse of $4,000 given by the city of Montreal, Of
ter "a hours postpo nement on account of high
wind and rough water, has at last been rowed in
the presence of a vast concourse of people, and
Hanlan declared winner in &c % by one length
and quarter
This morning dawned over the city with every
indication of an unfavorable day, so that hundreds
of would-be spectators of the race left 10 disgust
for their homes. Until O'Clock in the afternoon
it was very doubtful whether or not the race could
be rowed, but by that time the strength of the
wind had so materially decreased that the referee,
Sheriff Harding, of st. John, New Brunswick,
went aboard his steamer, the Gatneau, to go over
the course and see that the turning-buoys were IN
position, and determined that, if everything were
in readiness, to start the race on his return. As
the boat steamed down the course the represents
tives of the osrsmen on board drew for positions,
the choice being won by Hanlan's man, who chose
he outside, for the sake of the greater shelter
afforded by the Isle D'Orval at the turn. Mr.
Rankin OF the Boston Herald, was chosen judge
for Courtney, and Mr.. Davis, of Toronto for Han
Ian. Mr. Stanley Davis OF Rochester, was ap-
pointed Judge at the turn, in the interest of Cour
ney, to see that the buoys were fairly turned from
port to stsrboard according to the rules.
While these arrangements were being perfected
and while the Gatneau was still at the upper end
OF the course, a heavy thunder Storm accompan
ed by rain, hail, and q fierce squsl swept over
the course, drenching to the skin the thousands
Of spectators who by this time were gathered in
the grand stand and along the river banks. BY
o'clock the storm had passed, and the calm
that succeeded left the water in capital con
1ition for rowing. The city people had
been informed by telegraph that the race about
to take place, and train after train, crowded with
passengers, was running into Lachine over the
single track of the Montreal and Lachine Rail
road the nine miles of wagon road was packed
with carriages all hurying in one direction, and the
canal was alive with steamers, gay with British
and American flags. BY o'clock, 10000 people
were in the grand stand, and as many more were
on steamers small boats, and along the river bank
At A 80 o'clock the Gatinesu steamed up to
point near the quarters OF the contestants, and
called them out by four sharp blasts from the
steam whistle. The signal was promptly obeyed,
Hanlan appearing first and Courtney following
five minutes later. As they passed the steamer
The two were strikingly in contrast. Hanlan
in red cap and blue shirt faced with red, was fair
with q clear, white skin, while Courtney, in blue
cap aud white shirt, with blue star on the breast
was dark and swarthy. Both were in perfect COR
lition, and magnificent specimens of pbysical
manhood. Hanlan looked almost boyish in com
parlson with his antagonist. who is his senior by
years. but there little difference in their
rowing, both pulling the long, telling stroke with
quick recovery, by which races won. As they
swept grandly down to the starting point both men
were heartily cheered by the spectators, Courtney
being greeted with Is much enthu las m the
'anadan.
Taking positions in front of their respective start
ing skiffs, from which man held the stern post of
each boat, the oarsmen awaited the word. 1t was
given al 4 :56 o'clock, and both sprang to their
work, taking water well together, Hanlan with
stroke Of 81 and Courtney pulling SO to the min
ute. Both pulled we'll within themselves,
aud to the end Of the first half-me neither
man gained an appreciabie advantage over the 9th
En- Then, with a slight spurt Hanlan shot half a
length ahead, and the red signal flag on shore ut-
tered to the masthead, greeted with yells from the
Canadians. AT the three quarters Hanlan was two
lengths ahead, but at the mile Courtney, with
beautiful squirt, had closed the gap, and the first
mile in seven minutes was recorded for both
men. Inch by inch Hsnan again drew
away, and had gained half q length at the one
and u half mile buoy. Here the breeze fresh
ening somewhat both men Rugged Isle Cour-
celles, and in the smooth water under its lee
Courtney, with tremendous effort, forged ahead,
and, his shell fairly Kissing through the water
put himself clear length Of open water ahead of
his antagonist, but Hsnlan would not be left be-
hind, and at the Emile buoy was again leading
slightly. Almost unnoticed by the spectators in
their interest 1t was now raining hard, though the
shower lasted but few minutes. The second
mile had been made in 8 minutes. At the two
and one quarter-mie bow-tps were again even,
and 1t was ahybodys race. AT the turn Hanlan
was again ahead, and got round the mark in 81 rs
from The start. with Courtney 5 seconds or less
than a length, behind.
Both men now buckled down to their work. and
swept down the river so nearly together that
neither could be seen to be ahead Tins tbev
made the third mile, bow-tips even, and both pull
| lng magnltcently This mile was also completed
In minutes. During the fourth mile the pace
was nearly doubled both men doing their best,
and still keeping bow tips even. The mile was
made IN minutes. AS thew entered on the last
mile lianlan went slowly but surely to the front
and at the half was leading by three lengths. He
was now pulling 80 and Courtney &c to the min
ute. Here Courtney made a last terrible struggle,
| and putting all his tremendous reserve power into
his terrible, telling stroke, crept up inch by inch,
and foot by foot, in way that won Id have given
him the race could be have kept il up to the end
| But the strain was too great; he ran his bow to
within length and half Of Hanlan's stern post.
but could get IT no nearer, and Hanlan swept over
the line, winner OF the greatest single scull race
ever seen in this country amid the deafenipg
cheers Of the assembled multitudes and the screen
of steam whistles. The official time of the race
is SO o. and lianlan is sdjudged the winner by a
length and a quarter.
Without waiting to receive the congratulations
OF his friends, the winner rowed alongside of
| Courtney shook him warmly by the hand, and
comphmen'ed him upon his magnificent rowing.
conceded on all sides to have been the closest
ahu most exciting race ever rowed in American
| waters.