Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-25
nAiNE DlNPATCKE>.
SWIMMING MATCH.
Exciting Contest Between Prof. Riley
and Henry Simpson at Old
Orchard.

OLD ORCHARD, Aug. %.
Fully 10000 people gathered this after
noon upon the beach in front OF the Hotel
Fiske and Sears bathing house and upon the
verandas of the hotels to see the one mile
swimming match between Prof Tom Riley
of Boston, champion swimmer of America.
and Henry Simpson of Chelsea, Mass, cham
pion Of England. The tide was on the ebb
when the men took position for the start on
a yacht anchored of the beach. the word 60
being given by Ed c. Holske of Boston, the
champion pedestrian, who officiated as ref
cree. The wind was blowing pretty fresh,
and the waves ran quite strong and high in
consequence The men took the water well
together, Riley's curly head popping up first,
with Simpsons bald pate Immediately after
Both swimmers made lively dash for the
/ lead, using the English overland strokc-the
fastest known. 1t was nip and tuck for a
moment or two, and then Simpson got a
mouthful of brine which nearly choaked him,
causing him to fall behind. Both men con-
tinued to employ the English overland or
! olNS oIVhci IpT - SdTuS OF 50, Hnen Riley
showed "A lead of a few feet. and then both
men dropped into the breast stroke. Simp-
som, who has been accustomed to swim in
still water, was nearly knocked ont as billow
after struck him in the face, and he tried his
best to ride over them. He made slow head
way, however, Riley, who was perfectly at
home in the rough water tried the English
overland stroke again, and ploughed his
way straight as an arrow through the waves.
Manully Simpson struggled to keep up with
Riley, and by the exertion of his entire
strength and the exercise of ail his natatorial
powers, managed to hold him at about 20
feet distant up TIE course and uutil he was
within few feet of the half-mie buoy.
Riley made a splendid dash for the turn,
which he made in l3 minutes and 10 seconds.
He was cheered and applsuded by the i'm
the beach. Simpson struggled around just
10 seconds later. On the way back the hui
man fishes were greatly assisted by the tide,
wind and wave, and made faster time by
about three minutes. Riley kept increasing
his lead with every stroke, and Simpon fought
his way bravely along, though every on-com-
ing wave affected him for the worse. When
about three-quarters of mile had been
covered, Riley was a good hundred feet in
the lead and still gaining, though not so
rapidly, as he had the race safe in hand,
Riley made beautiful squirt on the finish,
fairly flying through the brinv with the pow
erful oyerstroke, and crossed the line in %
minutes and 10 seconds. Simpson finished
lust half minute later 1t is almost needless
to say that the course was short, for the time
made by both men broke the English record,
as neither man claims to be able to do. Not
withstanding Riley had the race his own way
it was an interesting contest. Later, Referee
( Holskee stated that he could walk seven
miles on the sand along the beach before
both swimmers could cover two and one-half
miles in the water Both Riley and Simp-
son doubted his ability to do so, and a match
will probably be made between the men next
week, to occur Sept 9Th.