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CBOUT AJTD WEBB,A very exciting ecutlere r*ce wu in wed an Tuesday, Oct S, and amply repaid those who had invested 2» 6d (or ticket* on board the Venus (Capt RhsrplinY The rmre au between Thom** Wil-liam Croat, juuT of Woolwich, and Charles Webb or Greenwich, both novices, so to apeak, and young watermen, Croat haring won a boat at the Woolwich BegatU, and lately defeated Young of the same place; while Webb has rowed once or twice at Greenwich, but has not we believe been ancoesafnl It had been arranged tht match should be rowed in outriggers, and above bridge (from Putney to MortJnke), in order lo give the men a better chance than they wo eld ordinarily have amoog the ship ping down below; and that they might came to the starting-post in good condition, each was sent to good training quarters, Croat being entrusted to lbs care of th© Salters, at tbs Feathers, Wandswor-h ; and Webb training (or, as report cays, not training) with Everaon, at Mr afurphy**, the Bed Lion, HenmeremiUL Here Mr Biffen built him a new boat, and everything was done to make him fit to win, but on dti he was no careless as to the result that more than one of hie friends d©-©erted him, while the odd* were laid upon Grout, who was •working hard to win. Bubeequeut reports, however, went to show that Webb had altered bus line of ooodoct, and money was then laid out at even*, while on the day be was booked to win at 5 and 6 to 4. The Venus, as w© hare already said, mi chartered to convey spectators to see the race, and left Woolwich at about twelve o'clock, arriving at Putney at half-past two with a large freight Articles stated that the race should be ntortod at three o'clock, sad at about that time the men made their appearance fully two hours before high water, with a splendid tide running up- The proportions of the men were very different Webb was « flno-looking man, with plenty of staff in bim, while Croat, compared with his opponent, was a very little fellow, although his iron-knit fcrmme showed him So be every inch a lasting man. H© rowed in one of Jewett’a boats, and Driver was in the head of his cutter as pilot, while Chuck am of Hammersmith officiated for Webb. The umpires were H. Bain for CrwL, and Mr Biffin for Webb, while Mr fiharplin w*a rcferee-Webb haring won the tosi ior choice of stations* took tbe Middlesex shore, and the men soon got into line with a respectful distance between them. On getting off Webb perhaps drew In the slightest degree, but they were immediately afterwards lwcL and rowed at a clipping pace to the Star and Garter, where Croat putting on a hue apart, shot in front so quickly that he was more than clear of bis opponent off Simmondi'i boat-yard. They were i*o wing very wide, and W ebb nowputon thasteam rery quickly in his torn, and was very nearly level with hi* opponent opposite the London boat-hou*©. At the top of their speed, and without any material alteration they rowed till nearly abreact of the Point, where Inch by inch Webb began to leave his opponent, and shortly afterwards wa* about half his own length io advance-Croat ever and anon sported up gamely, but was not able as yet to alter his position, Webb gradually increasing the advantage he had gained until there was op wards of half a dear length between them. At Craven it struck os Chit Croat was taken too abrupt! v over on to the Btuyey shore. Whether or no Webb increased hfi lead in making the shoot, and at the Crab Tree had a lead of a clear length, perhaps rather more, 5 and 4 to 1 being freely offered cd him, and. in fart, beseemed to be rowing within hi mid/; bat ” Hop© told a flattering tale, for it soon became evident that Croat, although much smaller than hi* antagonist, was able to stand the pace better. For about 200 yards beyond the Orab Tree their positions remained the same, Webb rowing well ahead, with ■ nasty short stroke, while iifs opponent was reaching well orer his loea, and rowing all the way. Presently be put on a fine sport, and this was followed by others, till no cae could doubt that Webb, unable to answer spurt with spurt, wu gradually being collared, and now the Woolwich party ihoatd in their tarn as their man passed the Soap Works nearly op to Ms opponent's stern, and, maxing a rush, in rhe next 100 yards drew half-way op the other’s boat. Webb endeavoured to keep hit position (but there was no attempt u foul, indeed, the race was as fairly rowed as possibly could be), and succeeded in doing so for about 100 yard* farther, bat then Grout, with another fine sport* broke away and almost immediately clawed his mm, passing under Hammersmith Bridge in £mlc 45sec from the start, leading b) about hslf a clear length. He now rapidly left his opponent, and off the Distillery had gained another length, increasing hi* lead to upwards of two clear lengths at the lower end of Chiswick By on In Coroey Eearh they encountered a little sort, but both went wdll throughout. Webb, after being passed, did not seem to posse* the pluck sufficient to recover hii position, and never put on anything like a sport, consequently Croat Increased his lead easily ail tbe way, and was about lyO yards ahead at the finish, passing the Ship at Martlake In 24mia 4£«ec from the sUrt—very fine time for a beginner, although the state of the tide must not be lost sight of. Croat can hare the money on Thursday at noon.
Newspaper Details
Bells Life In London and Sporting Chronicle
London, Middlesex, GB
Sun, Oct 13, 1861
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Richard B.
GB 14 Feb 2023
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