The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-18
BIG AMERICAN oARsMAN.
England's Champion is From New
York City.

The foremost oarsman Of England,
and perhaps of the world, is an Amer
lean, and true, loyal American, Yet
very little is heard of him in our own
country except in an occasional news
dispatch when he wins some big event,
such as the Diamond ScullS' or the
| "Wingfields''
For two years Benjamin Hunting
Howell of New York City, has been
the acknowledged greatest .oarsman on
the Thames, and is to-day the cham
pion of all Great Britain, having again
won the "Wingfields," an open event,
and the greatest of the year. For the
last two years he has won the Dla-
mond Souls" and he also holds the
record for the course. Three years ago
Howell was beaten by Ten Eyck also
an American, by half length, in rec
ord time and it was after this race
that the very unfortunate talk arose
as to the amateur standing of Ten
Eyck; but none of the objections came
from Howell, and at the present time
his one ambition is to have another
chance at his former antagonist, as ne
feels that he has improved greatly since
the last race.
Howell has been resident of Lon
don for the last six years, having been
at Cambridge University for four
years, and. since his graduation,
partner and London manager for his
fathers branch. He commenced row.
ing in England in 1894, but it was not
until June, 1895, that he rowed his first
race with Trinity Hall Cambridge
%Ie fQf
In the same year he rowed in the Cam
bridge crew that defeated the Cornell
boat at Henley, winning the Grand
Challenge Cup. In this year ana the
one following Howell rowed in about
eight of the best college events.
1t was not until October, 1896, that
he commenced his career as a single
oarsman, and he tells of his experience
in the start that he capsized three
times during his first days work. In
1896 and 1897 he rowed in the Varsity
eight, the Varsity double SOULS and
pairs; and again. in 1897, he sat in
the boat that won the Head OF the
River The same year. in July, Ten
Eyck pulled his boat over the line just
scant half length ahead Of Howell's.
in the greatest race that has ever been
seen on the river, with two Americans
pulling for the supremacy of England
and with the rest of the contestants
nowhere" In October Howell was
elected Captain of the University Boat
Club, and also rowed In the tours: and
in the same month he met with one of
the most remarkable accidents on rec
ord.
While rowing a practice spin on the
river. and while going at full speed, he
collided with another shell, also going
at, full speed. The sharp point of the
other boat pierced his shell and struck
the calf of his leg just below the knee,
passed through his leg, and, coming out
in front just above the ankle, there it
stuck. The other oarsman could not
back off, as withdrawing the point
would cause Howell to bleed to death:
neither could he get Howell to assist
him, as the slightest movement of eth
er would upset the frail crafts Finally
man swan off to them with a saw,
which Howell took and sawed off the
point of the offending boat, leaving the
piece sticking in his leg. He was then
towed to shore and carried to the club
house, where a surgeon drew the piece
of the boat and dressed the wound. He