The Portland daily press., 1883-06-04
THE HANLAN-KENNRoY RACE.
Some Interesting Facts Not Very Gen
orally Known.

1t isa remarkable fact that the first time
Kennedy pulled over the entire course at
Point of Pines was when he rowed his race on
Thursday. He arrived at the Hotel Goodwood
on Saturday night, and when the water was
suitable for rowing he covered the distance
from the steamboat pier to the starting point,
but never went completely over the coarse, as
the turning boats were not in place. When he
appeared at the starting point on Thursday he
asked where the turning boats were stationed,
and not one on the refees boat could tell him
exactly where they were, although all had
seen them. Finally he was informed that the
boats were to the right of a certain sloop, which
was pointed out, and he took his bearings ac-
cordingly, but the sloop had sailed away before
the starting signal was given, and Kennedy
was compelled to row blindly for his turning
flag.
Hanlan, Kennedy and other prominent
scullers will appear in regatta at Silver Lake
after July 10th, for charitable purposes on that
day. A committee will be appointed at once
to make all the necessary arrangements.
Kennedy's hacker says that the Point of
Pines race was not entirely satisfactory to him.
He still has very high opinion of Kennedy,
and the match he considers a good enough one
to make over again, If he could afford to give
time to the details. II didn't go into this race
to make money on it" said the gentleman. ~
went into it for glory. I thought John could
defeat Hanlan, and I desired as an American,
to see the Canadian sculler beaten. had lost
interest in boating matters, and did not con-
template reviying it until the Hanlan-Kenne-
dy match was suggested to me- Now am out
of it, and John has also retired from racing, a
he said he would several weeks ago / think
it cowardly for souller to issue challenge to
row defeated man Immediately after the race
in which he was defeated has been rowad, es-
pecially when he had previously announced
his inteation to give up boat racing. When it
became manifest that Hanlan aud Kennedy
could not find a suitable person who was will
ing TO act as referee, we wrote note to Mr..
Busby, the stakeholder, suggesting that the
man to be appointed by him be one without
prejudice. He ignored our note. haven't
word to say against the gentleman appointed,
but, as the Vice President of the vesper Boat
Club of Lowell, was known TO DO one of Han
lan's warm friends, aud as we had previously
objected to him on that account, the stakehold-
er's action is open to criticism TO say the least
especially when the gentleman appointed as
referee was q stranger to the stakeholder
Courtesy should have suggested that.some con-
sideration be given our wishes in the matter.
The criticism made by Hanlan's Judge on
the alleged attempt of Nj. H. Davis to coach
Kennedy into his proper course during Thurs
days race, has called out some sharp refiec-
tions from the other side. Kennedys friends
&l,a fr1 y,.@Ir a.
out of his way to criticise NJ. f. Davis, who is
the soul of honor, aud who would not take an
unfair advantage OF any one III, they claim,
he took his handkerchief from his pocket and
moved as If in the act of signalling, he did so
in a moment of excitement, and what he did
was as much for the benefit of Hanlan as Ken
nedy. The referees boat pointed the course
wrongly, instead of being headed, as almost in
varibly the custom, for the turning boats
Kennedy, also, keenly feels the criticism upon
his friend. He says he was prepared to let
matters rest as they were after the race was
decided, because the decision of the referee in
his opinion, should have ended all. 1t was the
fault OF somebody that the referees boat was
pointed in the wrong direction, and il was a
most serious misdirection for him.
II there was any coaching on or by the boat
he it was who had Just ground for suspicion
and objection. Hanlan was as wide of the
course at one time as he was, andlthe referees
boat was at once pointed toward Lynn. Di-
reetly the nose of the boat was pointed in that
direction Hanlan straightened out and pulled
in the opposite way This in itself says Mr..
Kennedy, was suspicious, and it was made
more so by the fact that the custodian of Ham
lan's boats was one of the officers of the refe-
reefs boat Added to this is the fact that moth
ing had been preconcerted by Mr.. Davis and
myself as to coaching sorssignalling, and what
he is said to have done was done openly. If at
all, and would have resulted as benefcially to
Hanlsn as to me. Furthermore, while the
Windsor gentleman was objeeting TO signalling
on the upper deck, some one, who certainly
was no friend OF mine, stood on the port side
OF the boat, near!the bow, and waved hand
kerchief very energetically. I saw two hand
kerchiefs displayed at the same time, but the
one on the lower deck continued to signal long
after the other one had disappeared. On the
whole, / think / am the one who should make
the comment and criticism"
pALr~BEAErSa SLIDE.
The slide or roller which Kennedy used in
his race with Hanlan enables him to swing
back at least Is per cent farther than the old
slide did. The new seat is on balI-bearings,
running on steel tracks, which are Hanged.
Corresponding steel tracks or bars are placed
under the seat proper, and these also are
Hanged. Two steel balls, each about the size
of an ordinary toy marble, are placed between
the flanges on each side of the slide, and On
plant made By Kennedy after the race, it is
probable that in the cutting away OF what was
considered superfiuous woodwork in the boat,
a small chip dropped on the track, and was
overlooked when the rolling seat was adjusted.
The movement of the ball finally wore out the
obstruction, bat too late for Kennedy to get
the pace on his boat he expected to get. The
result shows that too much care cannot be
used even In minor matters.
NOTES.
In the regatta at Pullman, ILL.,, June I'D,
and 22d. Hanlan Ross, Hosmer, Lee, Court
ney, Plasted, Ten Eyck and others will pull.
A compliment was paid w. W. Ruddock Of
Boston when lboth Hanlan and Kennedy or
dered their racing boats Of him. Before leav-
ing the city each of the men stated that the
boat in which he rowed IN Thursdays race
was the best he ever rowed in.
Hanlan's winnings in his race with Kenne.
dy make quite purse. He received $1,000
from the Chelsea Beach Company; and he
will also receive, it Is stated, the $500 which
his hackers stake money won, and one-half
the winnings of his backer. His victory will be
worth 5000 or $4,000 to him.