The New York herald., 1879-07-02
PROFESSIONAL SCULLING RACE.
WARREN E. SMITH, OF HALIFAX, AND EVAN
MORRIS, OF PITTsBURG, FOR ONE THOUSAND
DoLLARs--sMITH THE WINNER

MORRIS, OF PITrsBURG, FOR ONE THOUSAND
DoLLARs--sMITH THE WINNER.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEEALD.1
PLYMproS, Mass. July l. 1879.
The first of the ut Silver Lake took place
to-day the contestants being Evan Morris, OF Pitts
burg Pa. and Warren +. Smith, of Halifax. Tie
for 1000. in single scull shells, the dis
tance three milestone mile and a half and return.
Smith won. after yeryl lively tussle, by half
length, in 2lm. 5s.
SILVER MORNING.
When those who interested in the prelimi-
nares or the race-the newspaper men, sporting men
and others-reached the lake this morning the water
excellent for rowing. A slight breeze blow
ing from the northwest About ten o'clock A. NJ. the
breeze treshcned and white caps made their appear
in the centre OF the lake. and the possibility OF
postponement ioomel up quite distinctly. Both
Morris and Smith were out early for practice spins.
and both rowed in excellent form. They were also
evidently confident. each saying that he could and
would Morris very decided in his state.
ment that If he was to be beaten by the
Canadian the latter would he compelled to
row every inch of the way. IF he does turn
the upper stake first, said Norris t sn't that
he will beat me home; but ii get the stake him
it will look like all day with him." Smith refused
and friends Halifax were in the best of spirits.
OF them going even so far to state that they
had now a man who could beat Hanlan himself.
DELAYED by ROUGH WATER.
Soon after twelve O'Clock there perceptible
Improvement in the condition OF the water. and, as
the train from Boston and points down IN the t''d
Colony road arrived with their load of sghtseers,
the prospect for race kept growing better
the was set down there
q thousand people on the shores of the lake. The
water was fair. but by many good judges it was
pronounced not fit for rowing. The Hall
fax people. particularly. showed decided
opposition to anything except absolutely
the crowd waited in somewhat the same
temperature that they did at New London on last
that the water was lumpy at the upper end OF the
course, but as seen from the grand stand between
four and five clock, 1t was as smooth Us sheet OF
ice.
At six o'clock George Faulkner, the referee had
his boat pulled up the course to the upper stake
boat. and at twenty minutes past six the flags
waived signal to bring the boats into line.
Morris was the first to take his position. Smith
folIowin@ soon after. At forty minutes past six
attempt was made to get the boats off, but the
start not good one and they were recalled An
other attempt failed also, and ut quarter to
T. M. the word $50" given, and both shells
shot away from the stake, Morris taking the water
first and showing to the front with steady stroke CT
80 to the minute. Smith pulling at the same
rate and doing good work. AS the pier upon which
stood the telegraph office was passed. the latter had
closed upon Morris and was pushing steadily to the
front. AT the quarter OF mile froE the start
Smith was good length in advance of the Pitts
burg champion. Having obtained the lead Smith
seemed satisfied, and resumed his accustomed 32 to
the minute while Morris kept peggng away at
stroke varying from "a to 80. Bo;n men kept
it was apparent that the representative OF
Halifax would have rather the worst of it
in getting to his stake. He seemed to think so him.
self and made lively spurt rowing 36 to the
minute, and. going straight for his stake reached
that point soon as the Pennsy The latter
had sufficient lead. however. to enable him to get
around and away first, and this advan-
tage seemed to nerve him for great effort.
He quckened his stroke from 80 to &c. aud gradually
drew away from Smith. who was apparently content
to jog along, lifting his oars out OF the water 81
times minute Morris had lead Of several lengths
the last mile point was reached and being satisfied
with the work he had done from the stake the
Pittsburg sculler also settled down to easy
stroke OF 81. Smith be AN to close upon him.
although his stroke only 80 to the minute; but
it long. strong. steady one. which sent
him closer and closer to his competitor. and the
men drew near the finish the scene was
exciting. The sculers evidently doing
their best The struggle was terrific. the
still Morris kept pegging away at his usual stroke.
Within one hundred yards OF the goal the Pitts
burger was a length ahead and it was conceded that
he had the Smith worked hard and steadily,
but it seemed q hopeless task. The final
struggle came Both men seemed to be
worn out. but they bent to their oars, and
friends of the scullers encouraged their men by
shouts and cheers. They are now almost even
Morris has the advantage OF half u length with
about fifteen feet to go. ''What is the matter
with him?" was shouted as his boat was seen
to stop suddenly and mysteriousiy He seemed
completely broken down, and as his competitor shot
past him and over the line he looked the picture OF
exhaustion and disgust. His boat drfted to the finish
line couple of seconds after Smith had crossed The
was over. twas a hard struggle. every inch
Of space being contested sharply The time was
the best ever made the lake. The crowd went
away with feeling that there something
wrong-that they had been ''sold'-for the belief in
Morris illness or exhaustion was by no means gen.
eral. His friends, however, assert that he was worn
out and could not pull another stroke.