The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-01-22
GREAT OARSMAN
IN LAST RACE
Edward HanIan, Who Visited
Here, Has Passed
Away.

HanJan. who once visited this city and
gave an exhibition OF rowing, when
on his way to Australia to compete in
the Australian championships, should
prove interesting here:
Edward Hanlan, the oarsman, who
died in Toronto last week, was SIX
times champion Of the world and I'M
douhtedIy the most scientific scullef OF
this or any other generation. He GER
tainly was the most fdolized.
In Hanlan's day on the water pro-
fessional rowing was at the height OF
its popularity in all English speaking
countries and Hanlan won the cham-
pionship of America when he was
scarcely twenty in the Centennial re-
gatta in 1876, and he afterwards de-
Tended against the best oarsmen or
America, England and Australia. His
victories at home and abroad We're
marked by a general suspension or
business and two days rejoicing, IN
which everybody in Canada from the
governor general down participated.
When he returned to Toronto after
his first championship victory in Eng
land he was met in New York by
delegation of the members of pariia-
ment, mayors, and aldermen from all
over the dominion. The name or the
island on which he was born was
changed from Toronto island to Han
lan's island. Houses and lots, horses
and carriages were presented 10 MIN.
In fact, had he discovered new con-
tinent or conquered a vast army he
could not have been more highly hon.
ored. Hanlan merited the confidence
of his people, for in all the one huns
dred and odd races he rowed winning
and defending the championship MS
honesty was never questioned. The
waning of interest in professional row
ing began when he ceased to be
champion factor.
His first public appearance was
when he was sixteen years of age.
He was one of a crew made UP OF
fishermen and they were successful. In
1871 he took part in some skiff races,
and his first shell race was in 1873
when he won the championship of
Toronto bay. Next year he won the
of Burlington bay, de-
feating Thomas Loudin, holder of the
title. Some minor victories, including
a. medal offered by the governor gem
eral of Canada and the championship
of Ontario, brought Hanlan to the in
ternational centennial regatta at Phil
adelphia in 1876.
The best scullers in America were
entered, including Plaisted, Luther,
Brayley and Coulter, the ex-champion
of America. The race was three miles
and Hanlan won it in the record time
rs 4 MD
His next race was on Silver lake,
Boston, June II, 1877. He started
against twelve men, Plaisted won.
Hanlan did not finish. On the 4th Of
July he rowed in a regatta on the
Charles river and was again defeated
by Plaisted, Hanlan being disqualified
for fouIing Plaisted at the start
Frenchy Johnson, a negro, finished sec
ond He and BODY Barry were the
only eolored oarsmen. In the fall of
1877 he defeated Wallace Ross in Tor
onto bay for $1,000 a side.
AT Toronto bay, May Is, 1878, Han
Ian defeated Fred Plaisted for $4,000,
the race being two miles. Hanlans
next race was for the American cham
pionship against Evan Morris on the
Allegheny river. near Pittsburg, over
a course of five miles. Hanlan won
After another victory over Ross, Han
Ian defeated Charles Courtney, the
present Cornell coach, for a stake of
$4,000 at Lachine, Canada. The result
was unsatisfactory to Courtney's
friends, who claimed that Hanlans
victory was largely due to the fact
that he was rowing in home waters
and was better acquainted with the
course. Another race was arranged
on Chautauqua lake, but the night be-
fore the race Courtney's boathcuse
was broken into and his shell was de-
As Courtney had never shown
the white feather and had won every
race in which he rowed as an amateur
he was absolved from completely in
the affair, which was charged TO gam
blers, who wished TO prevent the race.
The two oarsmen finally met on the
Potomac river. Courtney was in poor
condition evidently, for before the race
was half over he showed signs of dis
tress and padded to the shore. Han
Ian rowed over the course alone.
Courtney was widely assaiied as a
gutter and even harsher terms
were used. But his friends have al
ways maintained that the treatment
was unjust. He had simply met bet
ter man. His star had begun TO grow
dim. and he had sunk to the has
been class. just as Hanian did a few
years later. The latter was in his
prime and probably no man in the
world could have defeated him.
--s-A-e.-