Transcription
ROWING MATCH.
Astley’s 27th Prize Wherry was rowed for on Saturday last, in honour of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s birth-day. The six candidates, viz. three below and three above bridge men, started about half-past four o’clock from Westminster Bridge.
William Wilking, of Mill-stairs, was the favourite, and took the lead for 100 yards; but it was merely a start; for James Wood, of Hungerford, John Maynard, of Lambeth, and Richard Johnson, Rotherhithe, soon passed him and the other two candidates. The match then became interesting, in consequence of their passing each other once or twice. John Maynard came in first, James Wood second, and Richard Johnson third, the first heat.
The second heat took place at six o’clock, and there was scarce any difference between the last-mentioned young men until they arrived opposite the horse-ferry, Lambeth, when, by the skillful streerage of young Maynard, he cleared the rudder of a west country barge, while the other two, who were close to him, rowed on it, by which means he got fifty boats’ length a-head, which never could be recovered, and which gave him the prize.
He received the wherry, as is usual, at the Amphitheatre, amidst the applause of a crowded audience.
