Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-11
HANLAN,S DEFEAT.
The Contest ON the Paramatta River.
Sydney, n. ). W., i'm August Last.

The Contest on the Paramatta River,
Sydney, n. 5. W., i'm August Last.
From the South Australian Advertiser
The race was witnessed by upward of 10000
spectators, and the greatest excitement pre-
vailed. 1t was Ais o'clock when Hanlan, wear
ing blue sleeveless guernsey. stepped into his
boat Beach, who stripped to his waist, shortly
afterward rowed up from his training quarters.
lIanlan's weight was within half pound Of II
stone. Beach's weight was 12 stone. Both COM
petit3s appeared in splendid condition. The
umpire was p. j. Clark, one of the best judges
of rowing in Australia. They made splendid
start, both catching water at the same moment.
and taking almost stroke for stroke from 50 to
30 per minute. Hanlan's stroke was cleancst
and neatest, Beach. though equally effective
being somewhat Hurried for the first hun
dred yards. Hanlan from the first appeared
20 settle down to his work as very serious
business. showing his teeth closed firmly and
his lips parted in such peculiar way that it
gave the impression at distance that he was
smiling. From the start he kept closely watch
ing Beach. with whom he kept almost on a
dead level for some distance. After quarter
OF a miles level pulling Hanlan qulckened his
stroke and went a length ahead. He then
slowed down in accordance with his ordinary
custom. and just maintained about the same
lead, going little faster when his opponent
drew closer. and easing off again Wien he
seemed getting too far ahead. After passing
the first point on the southern side and getting
into comparatively open water. where the full
force OF the breeze caught both, they became
rather unsteady, an occasional splash showing
that the wind and the somewhat rough water
incOnyenienced them.
About this period of the contest a most I'M
fortunate incident occurred. The steamer
Tomki. which had been chartered by Beachs
supporters tor the visitors, was heading right
across Hanlan's track in md-stream. Hanlan
pulled right up to within few feet of the
steamers side. being slightly ahead of Beach,
whose course just enabled him to miss the
steamers bow. As Hanlan came up close q
thousand voices called to him to beware of
being swamped. and as he turned in his seat
and looked ahead he saw the danger in a
moment, and resolved to cut Beach right out
of the race. Heading the boat right across
Bcach's course. he put on a magnificent squirt
that passed the bows at marvellous speed,
ard then dropped again into steady stroke.
He had then put between four and five lengths
between himself and his opponent. To the
spectators this seemed to give the race to Han
Ian to win as he liked. and one or two incidents
which occurred in the rowing just afterward
were interpreted as acts of bravado, when. as
Hanan now states. they were signs of distress.
Shortly after he had finished his great squirt he
half dropped his left scull. but recovered him
self almost Immediately. He had not gone
quarter of mile before he made a partial
stoprage, entirely missing his stroke. This
within himself that he had gagged Beach's
powers, and had satisfied himself of his own
ability to keep in front by responding whenever
Beach spurted. and that he could play with his
opponent.
Hanlan's explanation after the race was over
is that. in that big squirt, when he cleared the
steamer, he exhausted himself. and that so far
from showing off, he was in distressed condi-
ton. This statement is borne out by Beach,
who states that when Hanlan went so far to the
N k9t nSin hn baru 70 rI
hopeless contest until he turned and saw
Hanlan's face, and the sight of his opponents
face showed clearly that Hanlan was giving
out. This sent the thought through Beach's
mind like flash of lightning: The race is
mine" Acting under that impulse. as well
as in accordance with his trainers directions,
he put ON lust such squirt as Hanlan had
done. With half dozen quick and pow
eriul strokes he brought the boat right
down on Han!an, who had worked across into
Beachs water. and was so exhausted that
he could not respond to Beach's pace and pull
out OF the way. the consequence of which was
foul. The boats did not touch but Hanlan's left
sculi and BeachS right scull crossed each other
and prevented both from sculling For a
moment both boats were on a dead level, and
either man had an equal chance of getting away
hrst: In fact. when they freed their interlOcked
scuis they could have restartcd on exactly |
equal terms. but Hanlan was not equal to the
and held up his hands to claim q |
foul, by which act he clearly lost a stroke |
Then he halted for few seconds as if hest |
tatlAg whether to go on or give up the race |
This gave Beach a lead of five or six lengths |
which he never really lost during the rest of the
race. Once Hanlan made fierce attempt to |
overtake Beach. and actually got within three |
boats lengths. but his condition then appeared |
to give out, and he fell away. Beach pulled |
hard, but. as he was never really pushed there |
is every reason to credit his statement that he |
could have pulled much harder He certainly |
finished in fine condition, which is more than !
can be said of Haulan.
Beach passed the fiagboat nearly six lengths |
ahead, and as soon as the umpircs boat came |
up Hanlan pulled alongside and said: '.Mr. |
Clark. claim a foul" Mr.. Clark promptly re- |
sponded: You got over into Beachs water: |
that caused the foul, and l give tine race to |
Beach,
Afterward the two men met in the most |
friendly manner. Hanlan looked little care
worn and discouraged, as was only natural |
under the circumstances. The conversation, |
OF course, turned upon the race. and Hanlan in |
a manner which it was pleasant to see, said, |
shaking hands with Beach. well. you are a |
better man than l am, and ] hope you don't |
blame me for the foul. which was principally |
caused through the steamer coming down on |
US. could not help it,"