Bill Miller
I purchased the letter below about twenty-five years ago. I’d like to share it with everyone. It gives us a nice feel for Edward Hanlan’s personality and confidence. – Enjoy
Background
Edward Hanlan, sculler from Toronto, won the professional singles event at the Philadelphia Centennial Regatta in 1876. He easily defeated the best scullers from North American thus earned the title American Champion. For the next three years he defeated all comers. Then in November he challenged Edward Trickett, Australian, for the Championship of the World. He met Trickett on the River Thames and easily left Trickett far to his stern. Trickett’s Australian supporters were stunned and they lost all their money.
Also present at the time in London was Elias Laycock, another highly rated Australian sculler. He immediately challenged Hanlan to defend his new World Champion title. Hanlan agreed and raced on February 14, 1881. The Australians suffered another painful loss as Hanlan disposed of Laycock just as easily as he did Trickett.
Page 1
Fox & Hounds Hotel
Putney Dec 30th [1880]
Dear Col [Shaw]
Your kind letter just to hand. I am feeling well and I am rowing as well as I ever did. Bass is not so well as he might be but I think he will be all right in a few day[s]. I am takin as good care of my self as I can and I think when the day of my race comes I will be in good fix – and if I don’t make Mr. Laycock hop over this course I am not Edward Hanlan. I have three good boats and
Page 2
I have good oars and rowlocks. We have lots of rain up here and I can assure you that I would sooner be home than here. I am about sick of this now and when this race is over, I don’t want any more of old England. I had a good row this morning with Bass. That Proof Copy from Mr. Peverelly of New York is very nice and I will (?) for my Scrap Book. I have no more to say at present
Yours Truly
Edward Hanlan
Bill Miller Notes:
Col is Colonel Albert D. Shaw, who was president of the Hanlan Club, Hanlan’s financial advisors/backers.
His training partner is likely George Bass, former president of Harvard Boat Club.
The race was scheduled for the beginning of February but was delayed daily for two weeks because of ice. On February 14, 1881, Edward Hanlan defeated Elias C. Laycock, New South Wales, Australia for the World Championship, from Putney to Mortlake “Easily”. Time – 25:41.
Peverelly was an active rower, edited the periodical, “Aquatic Monthly and Nautical Review” and wrote an important book, “The Book of American Pastimes”.
Images from Thomas E. Weil Collection