Transcription
ASTLEY’s ANNUAL PRIZE WHERRY
Was rowed for yesterday afternoon by several pair of oars. The original intention was to have has four heats, but the wind was so very severe against the tide, it was reckoned impossible the men could get through the whole; it was therefore reduced to a double heat, going down first to Hungerford, the passing through Westminster-bridge; going up round the boat moored off Vauxhall, then through Westminster-bridge to Hungerford, and returning through the centre arch of Westminster-bridge.
At a very fair start, about a quarter after five o’clock, JOHN SHEPHERD and his partner were in the rear passing the Hungerford boat, but before they reached Westminster-bridge, on the South shore, they passed with rapidity four several boats, and came past the Manager’s boat first on the outside, and kept the lead all the way round the boat off Milbank and downwards. The great contest was between JOHN SHEPHERS and JOSEPH WING, and JAMES HOWELL and CHARLES WESTWOOD, three of whom are accounted the best rowers on the Thames, and was certainly contested stronger than any Prize Wherry we have ever seen rowed for. It was ultimately decided as follows, viz.
JOHN SHEPHERD and ISAAC WING—the Prize Wherry.
JAMES HOWALL and CHARLES WESTWOOD—Three Guineas.
ISAAC WOOD and WILLIAM SHEPHERD—Two Guineas.
The remaining four were not entitled to any Prize, and in fact were distanced.
A procession took place on the landing, when the tune of “See the Conquering Hero comes,” as played by a full Band, led by Mr. TAMPLIN, of the Duke of YORK’s Regiment, on to the Stage, whereon the Boat and the successful Candidates were exhibited in triumph. Messrs. JOHANNOT, DECASTRO, and FOX, sang an appropriate song, and Mr. ASTLEY, jun. addressed the company on the occasion.
The swarm of notorious pickpockets, on the Surry side of Westminster-bridge, led us to suppose that there were not any Magistrates or Constables in the vicinity.—“Verbum sat.”
