The Daily Telegraph, St. John, N.B., Tuesday, October 16th, 1877

Great Boat Race

How Hanlan Won From a Toronto Standpoint

The Jubilant People of Toronto

Loyalty and Confidence of Ross' Backers

TORONTO, Oct. 15. - Although the crowd was not quite so great on the wharves and steamers and in small boats as on Saturday, yet there must have been from thirty to forty thousand resent this afternoon to see the great race between Ross and Hanlan. The weather was warm and fine and the water comparatively smooth, but it has been calmer for now and then a gust of wind would rise and the surface of the bay was decidedly ripply.

Ross was the first to show. Just as the clock on St. James Cathedral struck 3, the New Brunswicker was seen rounding Gooderham's wharf from his boat house. Cheers from the crowd who lined the wharf, the shore and the nipissing pier announced his advent.

Five minutes afterwards, and after continuous shrill whistles from the referee and press tug, the Toronto champion appeared and a shout arose from thousands of throats telling the Bluenose that his adversary was approaching.

Ross was already at his stake boat waiting for Hanlan before stripping. On the latter's arrival he rowed up to Ross and from his to his stake boat, three hundred yards on the inside, he (Hanlan) having won the toss.

Ross, it should be mentioned, in passing the referee's boat before taking his station twice objected to the water as being too rough, but the referee said he thought it good enough, and ordered him to his station.

Hanlan took his place without a word, smiling and looking as though the result was inevitable, and Ross was rowing in vain. There was no fear of fouling for there was enough room for a hundred boats to row.

At 3:10 the men stripped, Ross to the buff, and Hanlan retaining a bright blue guernsey without arms. The referee said "Are you ready!" and immediately afterwards the starter said "Go." Hanlan at once showed in front, and as the men neared each other his lead was more apparent.

Opposite Young street, about three-quarters of a mile having been accomplished, he led by a clear length. At this point Ross was rowing 34 strokes to the minute and Hanlan 30. The New Brunswicker was pulling hard with his teeth set. Hanlan seemed to be pulling easy and well within himself.

Off York street his stroke was 29 to the minute, and the Bluenoses were slightly faster. Ross was steering beautifully straight, but Hanlan, rather to the consternation of his patisans, seemed, although in the lead, to be rowing very wide. This was due in a great extent to this face the the New Brunswicker had a rudder while his opponent had not.

Opposite Brock street, a mile and a half on the war, Hanlan had the best of it by three clear lengths, and from the point to the burning boat, which was reached in 17.50, increased his lead to five lengths. In turning, however, he last a clear length, for whereas Ross was straight in his course, Hanlan was a long way out. So palpable was the advantage that he had given his opponent that some of his backers who were on the press boat thought he had made a great mistake, and that it would cost him the race, but as the men got into the straight for the row home, although Ross was pulling with might and main, it was apparent he was a beaten man, for Hanlan rowed as he liked, stopped, waved his hand, took off the cap he wore, and rowed more as if he were rowing for his own pleasure than if her were rowing for a thousand dollars a side.

Ross who had been rowing a stern chase all the way still kept pluckily to his work, but he might as well have tried single handed to dam the mighty rush of water over the falls of Niagara, as to ward off the victory of Hanlan, who was rowing as he liked, pulled past the assembled crowds amidst he loudest cheers that ever spring from human throats, to the wining post, a victor by 300 or 400 feet.

During the whole race from start to finish Hanlan never was put to it but when he did sometimes, he showed the cleanest and prettiest stroke, by acknowledgment of all beholds, that was ever exhibited.

The time was not official taken but unofficially it was announced as 36.09 and that by Mr. Barker, of St. John, outsiders made it as low as 35 minutes, but, unfortunately for the aquatic almanac makers, although the time was undoubtedly the fastest ever mad in a five mile race, no record will remain, no gun having been fired and Hanlan being allowed to row past the winning post.

Of course the victory of the Toronto man was hailed his handsome cheers, hats, handkerchiefs, oars, stick and umbrellas were waving high in the air; such a scene never having been witnessed on this continent since Christopher Columbus first set foot on its shores. (Whew!)

Ross was not forgotten for on the signal being given loud shouts arose for him on all sides. The conduct of Ross and his backers is a theme of admiration of all hands, for a better set of men never visited Toronto. This city is wild and there is a talk of getting up a procession, and should it be carried out every man woman, and child will turn out to swell the throng.

To the credit of the St. John men it should be said they stood by Ross to the last and at the starting point were offering 50 to 48 on their man without finding takers.

Mr. O'Brien the referee, and all the officials of the race did their duty and met with the greatest praise.

It is proposed now to take Hanlan to Oswego, N.Y., to row against Courtenay and Riley on the Susqyehanna on Wednesday next, and early next spring a meeting, if all goes well will be brought between the Australian Tricket or the English Higgins.

Toronto is ready to back her champion against the world.