New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-10
SEARLE THE CHAMPION SCULLER
HE EASILY DEFEATS WILLIAM o'CoNNOR
ON THE THAMES.
THE AMERICAN THE FAvoRIrE IN THE BETTING


BUT NO MATCH FOR THE AUSTRALIAN.
London, Sept 9.-The race on the Thames for
1000 pounds and the championship of the world,
over course four miles and three furlongs long,
between William O'Connor. champion oarsman
of the United States and Canada, and Benry D.
Searle, the Australian. was rowed to-day, and was
won by Searle.
Searle won the toss for position and chose the
Surrey side of the river. OConnor had the best
of the start and led by half length to the boat
house.
There were occasional squalls of wind during
the progress of the race, and off Surrey the water
was slightly lumpy. Otherwise the conditions
were good. The sun was shining. The betting
during the forenoon virtually even at 81 to 20
on Searle, and bets at these figures were taken
radily Finally the odds changed to 5 to
against Searle
The start was made by mutual
consent at :23, with O'Connor row.
ing at a terrific rate. Soon after the start
O'Connor "caught a crab" and Searle overlook
him and gained the lead. Searle was rowing
splendidly, but slowed up beyond Walden's
The Australian, apparently without effort, and
rowing twenty-nine strokes per minute, gained
half length, which he gradually increased.
O'Connor frequently and anxiously looked over his
sboulder at his opponent When Hammersmth
Bridge was reached, one mile and three-quarters
from the start Searle led by two lengths. OCOnnOr
oppeared 10 be q tri1e distressed. AT the Thorny-
croft Iron Works both men were pulling IN good
form. A nasty head-wind was blowing, but the
water in ChiswicI Reach was not affected: Here
Searle was three lengths ahead. From Chlswlck
Point the race procession.
Searle's time was ZAP. OCOnnor rowed
splendidly throughout the race. lie seemed TO
have been overtrained, however, for after the
first mile had been rowed he tired away quickly;
The course was well-kept. The attendance OF
spectators was large for profession sculng race
Henry Ernest searle, who is now the champion
single sculer of the world was born In New-eouth
Wales, Australia, t7xenty-three years ago. and got
his training as an oaIsman in Australian wateis'
His first race was pulled in November, 1854 al
Cbatsworth and during the next two years he com
peted successfully in contests. On January
Zealand, at the Clarence River regatta. lie h,4t
ourowed Wulf and then Jones Starsours; IN MS
race with the latter on the Paramata hNcrj no
broke the record for three miles, $50 yards making
the distance In 10 minutes 53 seconds. oh ocioDcr
80 of last year he defeated Peter Kemp, the cham
pion of Australia the Paramatta course: seaTio
Is five feet ten inches In height and weighs loo
pounds. u. c.,
and learned Craftsmanship under Hanlon. He began
rowing about nine years ago.. He competed IN
amateur races for long time before no felt strong
enough to the professional ranks, and his hrst
March 19 he defeated Henry Peterson In a threo
mile contest san Francisco Bay. shortly after
this he beat George Lee Oh Toronto Bay. On August
o. 1888 he from Gaudaur, Lee and Henry
over the Washington course. o'Connor is twenty
FIVE old.