THE SPORT OF ROWING both rowers off course toward the end, and that he stopped early by mistake.531 Courtney: “You will find plenty of men who will tell you I crossed the line first; I always had my opinion in the matter, but the race was awarded to him, and I accepted the decision of the judges.”532 Morrow: “In the months following the Lachine race, a great deal of newspaper controversy over Hanlan’s and his backers’ tactics was aired in the American Sport of the Times and The Globe of Toronto.533”534 The world demanded a rematch. Champion of England But first Ned Hanlan made a trip to Great Britain. On May 8, 1879, he disposed of John Hawdon, 5’7” 170cm 150lb. 68kg, “one of England’s best,”535 by five lengths on the Tyne Championship Course in Newcastle, “three miles and 760 yards in length [5,523 meters],”536 “from the Mansion House to Scotswood Suspension Bridge.”537 British papers remarked about his “knees to nose” technique of sculling.538 Cosentino: “Grudgingly, the English admitted that the sliding seat on runners, the ‘patent row-locks539 and other devices new to competitors’ and a ‘scientific study of rowing in its higher forms’ had given the advantage to the Canadian.”540 Then Hanlan set his sights higher. A second match was arranged for him in Newcastle against William Elliot, 5’7½” 531 Look, p. 80 532 Qtd. by Look, p. 73 533 Cosentino, Case Study, p. 10 534 Morrow, p. 37 535 Cosentino, Hanlan, p. 28 536 Harding, p. 15 537 Ibid, p. 13 538 Qtd. By Cosentino, op. cit., p. 28 539 Hanlan was using modern swivel oarlocks while British scullers were still using thole pins. 540 Cosentino, op. cit., p. 29 171cm 167lb. 76kg, the English professional champion. Kerr: “Never before were the Tyne’s banks so crowded, on the occasion of an aquatic contest, with interested spectators as on the morning of the 16th of June [1879], when Hanlan and Elliot contended for The Sportsman’s Cup and the Championship of England. Long before daybreak the sport- loving people of Newcastle and vicinity had taken their stations, where each for himself expected to witness the most interesting features of the contest. As the day advanced, trains from all directions deposited their living freight by thousands, and all the avenues leading to the river or commanding a view of the course were blocked with dense masses of spectators, while every available steamer and every species of floating craft crowded with visitors made the navigation of the river a somewhat difficult affair. “Both men were in rare trim for the contest, and both were equally confident of success. The odds which had all along been largely in favour of Hanlan grew less and less as the hour for the race arrived, and Tynesiders bet freely in small sums on their champion, whom they believed invincible. “A little after twelve o’clock the contestants took their places, and shortly afterwards a fair start was made and the race began. Hanlan’s bark Toronto led the way from start to finish. He pulled that same strong and long stroke which has so often deceived his opponent and decided the contest in his favour. “Rowing ahead as is his wont, he eased off from time to time until Elliott’s craft lessened the distance between them, and then with a few powerful strokes drew quickly ahead. “Elliot rowed in magnificent form, and struggled manfully until the close. But it was all in vain. Hanlan won by eleven boat lengths, the course having been rowed over in 55 seconds less than the fastest time on 148
