The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-05-20
THE RACE.
An Immense Throng to Witness
the Hanlan- Courtney Contest.
THE RACE PROVES A RATHER TAME
AFFAIR.
Hanlan an Easy Winner in Less Than 81
Minutes.
Hanlan Matched for Race With Riley.

GEORGETOWN, D. c., 7.3O p. m.-The
wharves, stands and every available place were
crowded with spectators to view the race he
tween Hanlan and Courtney. The sbipnino
was covered with bunting and crowded with
people. Acqueduct bridge has been crowded
since o'clock this morning. Every avenne of
approach to the river was lined with vehicles
and pedestrians hurrying to the course Small
craft OF every description dotted the river and
crowded steamers were lying at various points
along tne course The ferry boats were busily
engaged IN carrying passengers across to Ano-
tostan Island, directly opposite Georgetown,
where large stands were erected for specta-
tors.
AT 5.15 gun was fired notifying the men to
be at their post at $50. At $50 Riley arrived
provided either of the contestants failed to ap-
pear. At $50 gun was fired for the men 10
get ready. AT COB Hanlan and Courtney
came to take positions. 1t is estimated fully
loo,ooo people were collected to witness the
race. Hanan won the toss and took the Vir-
ginia side. At 6.10 the word ''go' was given
and both men were off. Courtney took the
lead, Hanlan went to the front before reach
ing the quarter mile flag and at the half mile
Stlil led. Hanian turned the stake boat first
long way ahead of Courtney. On the third
mile Hanlan was leading, but not much. At
the halt-mile flag from the finish Hanlan still
lead. AT the half-mile flag from the finish
Courtney left the course and rowed to his boat
house. Hanlan rowed to the finish in about
81 minutes.
At the start for the first half minute Court
ney pulled at the rate of Sc strokes minute,
while Hanlan was timed at Al. Before Court
ney had pulled ten strokes however Hanlan
overhauled him and each succeeding stroke
sent his boat further to the fore. At one
eighth OF mile clear water could just be seen
between the boats. AT this point Courtney
turned to look over his shoulder and evidently
realized that he was beaten, as he suddenly
dropped his stroke to 30 and said to those on
the referees boat, who shouted to him to null
"It isn't in me-" Hanlan also eased up and
pulling steadily at 80 opened gap as he
pleased. All interest in the race was gone
when Hanlan reached the three-quarters flag,
fully ten lengths in advance. At the first mile
he was pulling 81 strokes and leading bv fully
10 boat lengths, Courtney laboring unsteadily
at about 70 and frequently casting despairing
glances over his shoulder. Soon after passing
the nile flag Courtney stopped rowing and re-
moved his handkerchief, dipped it in the water
and replaced it on his head, repeating the on
Grafton half dozen times during the next
mile. His steering, which at first was fault
less, became more and more cratic and three
OF the SIX flags from the half-mle to twok mile
point were either brushed by his oars or run
over directly by his boat Hanlan's official
time is 36 minutes, 40 $40 secons.
Courtney stopped his boat two and one
eighth miles from the start and pulled leisure
~ back over the course and disembarked at
MS quarters Hanlan on the last eighth of the
course quickened to 40 stroke and gave fine
exhibition of speed to the finish, after which
he was awarded the prize by the referee.
The race was originally appointed for 400
o'clock p. M, but was postponed by agreement
on account of the intense heat. The course
was five miles in length with turn. Rumors
circulated about the city all day that Courtney
was sick, one rumor was that he was so sick
as to be unconscious. He was undoubtedly not
in SO good condition as Hanlan, but the severi-
: ty OF his illness was exaggerated. His head
has been troubling him for some time and he
has suffered from severe headache. Hanan
was the favorite with the sporting men, pools
selling two to one in his favor The result
shows that their confidence in the Canadian
was justified.
WASHINGTON, May 49, Riley rowed over
nearly the entire course short distance ahead
OF Hanlan. When the race was finished Han
Ian received an ovation from his friends and
made speech denouncing Riley as no gentle
man and offering to row him for ten dollars or
ten thousand dollars any time. The citizens
subscribed purse and a match was arranged
tonight between Hanlan and Riley for Nav
26, over today's couse, the winner to take two
thirds and the other one-third