The Daily Telegraph, St. John, N.B. Friday, June 18, 1880

Amateur and Professional Races at Providence

Wallace Ross' Star in the Ascendant

His Triumph Over the Champion of two Continents

The St. John Sculler wins as he pleases.

Twenty Lengths Ahead of Riley, the Second Man.

Hanlan Becomes Ill and Gives Up

Providence, R.I., June 17^th, 1880. Probably the city of Providence never saw as many people within its limits as gathered on the banks of the Seekonk to-day. The number is variously estimated from 40,000 to 100,000. They came by rail, street car, sailboat, barges, steamers and every conceivable mode of conveyance. It was a peaceable crowd, all intent on seeing the grand race, but the proportion that had any definite idea of who started to row crowded with craft of all descriptions, whose occupants thought the best position for viewing the race was between the grandstands, of which there were a dozen or more, along the course. The press facilities were poor, also for the same reason inefficient or rather, utter want of police on the course.

The Professional Race-Ross an Early Winner

Another long wait occurred with the professionals in line before they started which they did at 5. 29. 42 p.m.

The following men appeared on the course and took up positions as drawn:-

No. Name Residence

1- Wallace Ross St. John, N.B.

2- Geo, W. Lec Newark, N.J.

3- Jas. H Riley Saratoga Springs

4- Horatio K.N. Delano Chelsea, Mass

5- Jas. A. Ten Eyck Peeksill, N.Y.

6- Fred A. Plaisted Boston

7- Jacob Gaudier Toronto

8- Jas. H. Dempsey Geneva, N.Y.

9- Robt. W. Boyd Middlesboro, Eng.

10- Edward Hanlan Toronto

Geo. Hosmer, of Boston, Weidberger of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Frenchy Johnson did not row and No.8 place drawn by Hosmer gave an advantage to those who followed.

At the start Plaisted fairly jumped his shell to the front, and Ross was close at his heels, while over on the cast Providence side Hanlan and Boyd were seen almost together. The two latter kept at it for about 60 strokes when the champion shot away ahead of the Britisher, and began to creep up to Plaisted, who was the leader, and right nobly was he cutting out the pace. Ross was close behind him, however, and at the quarter was on even terms. The Hanlan, who had left Boyd, began to tell with his powerful regular strokes, and slowly to creep up to Ross. So tremendous was his speed that at the half mile he had about half a length lead over the field. A prettier sight has seldom been witnessed than was presented by those four men who were rowing nearly abreast, straining every nerve for the mastery. Hanlan, Ross, Plaisted, and Riley, who had come up rapidly on the finish of the first mile away, went from half a mile to mile and a half.

Hanlan Stops Rowing

The champion, to the surprise of those who could see the course, stopped rowing, and Ross swept grandly ahead, with Plaisted and Riley neck and neck just behind. While the leaders were struggling so gallantly Lee, Ten Eyck and Gaudier were having a close contest among themselves, while Dempsey, Delano and Boyd were in another triangular contest and brought up the rear of the procession. Hanlan, when he stopped rowing, put his hand to his side as if in pain for a moment.

Then he pulled his sculls with determination and rowed with a will, holding second place to the turn, which he made immediately after Ross. From then to the finish he slacked up and rowed home leisurely.

Ross Comes In The Winner

Ross, seeing that Hanlan was disabled also turned buoy No. 2, and squared away homeward at a magnificent pace, leading the field by at least 20 lengths to the finish, crossing the line in 28min. 54 sec., an easy winner, amid the cheers of thousands of spectators and salvos from the yachts round about.

Plaisted and Riley, after a struggle and great liability of fouling, turned the stake together. As soon as they were fairly on their way home Riley, by extra exertions, managed to catch Plaisted, and was away a dozen lengths, ahead.

Riley Passes Hanlan

At the two miles stake he passed Hanlan and securely settled down to second place which he gained without much further effort, he passing the stake boat in 30 min. 50 seconds, five or six lengths ahead of Gaudier, who finished a length ahead of Plaisted. The boat of the latter was half full of water. Craft on craft on the river now crowded in at the general turn over the finish, thus shutting out the others and the great race was over.

The only accident to mar the day's pleasure was the fall of about 150 feet of one of the grand stands, by which Mrs. Mary Wallace, of Boston, was severely and several people injured. A number of others became panic stricken and jumped overboard, but escaped with a wetting.

Various rumors are abroad to-night relative to Hanlan's giving out, but Referee Curtis says he was out of condition and lost the race through illness caused by not being acclimated.

Over Eleven Professionals at the Oar

The professional event-the great trial of skill that the vast multitude came to see- was next in order. While the amateur race was progressing the professionals, except Boyd, were gathered on the veranda in rear of Brown's University boat house engaged in pleasant conversation, all seemingly in the best of condition and spirits.

Called Out

About 5.10 the gun for them to get ready was fired and they soon started for the referee's boat. Hanlan had just started and quickened a little when the signal was made and he rowed towards the grand stand. He was the cynosure of many eyes ashore and afloat while loud applause greeted him during his pull to the starting point. Lee, Gaudier, Ten Eyck, Riley, Delano, Ross, Plaisted and Dempsey followed in the order named while Boyd soon arrived from his quarters at Ten Mile River.

Kennedy and Hosiner did not out in an appearance.

Hanlan and Ross

Hanlan looked the picture of good health; his skin clear and his eyes bright and sparkling. All the others were in good condition, Ross particularly so, the latter winning many favorable comments on his style, which has vastly improved.

The course could not have been better. It ran nearly due north and south, the start and finish being nearly opposite a high cliff called Walker's Point. At the southern end the course is as straight as an arrow and a splendid breadth of water is allowed for turns.

The amateurs turned a short distance past Back-Jin Island, and the professional turn was brought just opposite Ingrahamville, in 2,000 feet of water. Ample room was thus afforded for turning the stakes for each contestant, fouling being rendered impossible.

A splendid start was effected at 5.27 p.m. Hanlan and Ross at once struck out ahead of the others Ross slightly in advance. Boyd passed him, and Riley close behind. At the end of the first half mile Hanlan led with Boyd second, Riley third and Ross a bad fourth, Plaisted fifth and the rest behind. This order maintained at the first mile stake, but half a mile further on in the contest Plaisted crept to second with the remained in a solid bunch and soon pressed Hanlan hard; at the turn Plaisted amid cheers of those assembled at that point, passed the champion and maintained it for the next half mile; When the fact was noted on bulletin boards at the telephone exchange great excitement, prevailed and Plaisted stock began to rise in the pool market. The dash of lightening in the sculler did not last, however, and he slowly dropped behind, Hanlan, Boyd and Riley passing him in succession with Ross dangerously near. This was the position at the end of the three miles, and Ross then began to send his boat along with renewed and terrific force, passing Plaisted, Riley, then Boyd, finally Hanlan. This feat of the New Brunswick champion was greeted with cheers from the large multitude, who shouted themselves hoarse. Hanlan's friends shouted words of encouragement, but they met with no response, and he was shortly passed Plaisted, Riley and Boyd. The order at the three and a half stake was: Ross, Riley, Ten Eyck and Boyd and from that to the close Ross had everything his own way, coming down the last half mile in fine style, having won the prize of $3000.

Riley finished second and Ten Eyck third. Hanlan came in fifth, apparently disabled, and is reported sick to-night. Whether this is so or not cannot be ascertained, but it is certain that when he started he was looking remarkably well. Boyd finished well in fifth place, while the others were far in the rear.

Thousands of visitors left for home by special trains to-night, but still a large number remain, and many will have to go without a bed.

The presentation of prizes took place at the Coliseum, Rocky Point, steamers conveying crowds from the city. Ross was received with wild applause and was presented with the first prize by Governor Littlefield, of Rhode Island. He made a modest reply. The other oarsmen were well received. Holmes, the amateur winner, had an enthusiastic reception and was the recipient of the elegant trophy. The proceedings came to a close about ten o'clock.

A Report That Hanlan Will Challenge Ross

It is reported that Hanlan at once will challenge Ross to row on the Seekonk again.

The result of the race, for the most part, was unexpected, it being generally considered that Hanlan was a sure winner. Ross' chances for second place was considered good but few thought that he would be winner.

In the pool selling, just before the race, Hanlan was the favorite by 100 to 40. The field was about one and a half to one over either Ross, Riley or Boyd, barring Hanlan.

Official Time

The official time was:

M. S.

Ross 29 54

Riley 30 30 1/2

Ten Eyck 30 58

Hanlan and Boyd's time was not taken.

Opinion of the Toronto "Globe."

The Globe will editorially express surprise at the result of the Providence regatta, that Hanlan should have been beaten by Ross and Plaisted, whom he formerly distanced so far and who have so often been beaten by others. Hanlan's plea of illness will, however, be for the present accepted as bon a fide.

Sheriff Harding's Opinion of the Victory of Ross

A representative of the Telegraph called on Sheriff Harding, last night at his residence, Waterloo street, and had a pleasant chat with the Sheriff about Ross, his abilities and his idea as to how the St. John sculler came to win this regatta race. The Sheriff remarked, when the object if the mission was made known, that he, being here in St. John, could not be expected to know much about the race; how it was rowed, etc., and the telegrams, he sagely remarked, did not lend assistance of material value upon which to gauge a reason for the result-Ross won. The telegrams say, said the Sheriff, Ross won, Plaisted second, Boyd third, Hanlan not placed. Now, continued he, if no accident happened Hanlan has lost by rowing three races within a month, was pressed by the field and Ross, keeping within himself till near the finish, with a burst rowed all competitors down. Hanlan has heretofore (except at Barrie) rowed all of his opponents down within a mile, then stopped, taken a full breath and naturally, being a man of good lungs, was ready to take a fresh dash. And this is in my opinion where Hanlan's great success lies. He is able to row his opponent down within a mile of the goal and then take a good full breath and pull with renewed vigor. But if a man can be got who can row Hanlan the course over and give him no chance to renew his wind, then you have the man who can beat him. But Hanlan has the natural abilities for his adopted profession, and a man of that kind in any line is hard to excel. But this time-this race at Providence-he has probably been pressed, his previous work has told on him and, having no time to catch his wind, has burst.

Reporter-Well, what about Ross, can he beat Hanlan?

The Sheriff-He cannot, and never could and never will beat Hanlan. Though I have always looked upon Ross as the second best oarsman in America, yet he cannot beat Hanlan.

Reporter-When did you first see Hanlan?

Sheriff-The first time I saw Hanlan was on the Schuylkill, and then I made up my mind that he was the best man that had appeared yet. There are no whims nor notions about him, he is a thoroughly practical man, a man as I have said before, naturally adapted as a professional oarsman. When he rowed in England against Elliot you will remember he took a trip to Scotland under the guise of seeing the elephant, but his trip was a part of his training. He went away and let nature recuperate herself. He is a man possessed of strong powerful lungs, as anybody can infer for himself, but he is only human and can be over-worked. Now you know, as well as I do, that this Providence race is the third within a month. This exertion would tell on any human being. But you know, or it is generally known that there is money at the back of all these races.

Reporter-Gambling?

Sheriff-Yes, gambling it is. But do not understand me that I insinuate that Hanlan's backers would sell a race. They will not do that, said the Sheriff, seriously. But they will give a race and there is a vast difference between selling a race and giving a race.

Reporter-As Chief Justice Allen says, there is a vast difference between murdering a man and murdering a ship?

Sheriff-Yes, I should think there was. But, continued the Sheriff, Hanlan is soon to row Trickett. This regatta is a good medium by which to show to the world that he can be beaten as well as be victorious. If he should go to England with a record showing that he was born to conquer, all betting would be one-sided, except that the few Australians who might come over with Trickett, would back their man.

Reporter-Hanlan's backers would not sell a race then you think?

Sheriff-No they would not. I am positive of that. They could have no object in selling a race; they would lose more than they would gain in the end. Indeed they have no need to entertain any such thoughts.

Reporter-Is there not some intention of matching Ross against Hanlan?

Sheriff-There is a feeling that way perhaps, but it is a foolish idea. St. John men had better keep their money in their pockets, for there is not a doubt, as I already stated, but that Hanlan can beat Ross.

In closing the interview with the Sheriff, he submitted the following query: Is it becoming a custom for flyers to take a step down in the scale of success that they may be sensational?