Transcription
Yesterday Astley’s Annual Prize Wherry, given in honour of his Majesty’s Birth-day, was rowed for by six watermen in six boats, which started at five o’clock from the centre arch of Westminster bridge, adorned with their distinguishing colours, having dashed through the element with a variety of aquatic manoeuvres, and great rapidity, they reached the boat moored off Vauxhall, and agreeable to the arrangement of the first heat, returned to Hungerford, when Mallet, a Sun fireman, who plies at Cuper’s Bridge, Tuffin, of Lambeth, and Ashley, of Iron-gate, arrived in succession, and consequently won. The second heat, which determined the contest, was then contested by the above-named candidates, won the first. At starting they kept together, and evinced great skill and ability, taking every advantage of the tide, which was against them. At the Bishop’s Palace, Mallet took the lead, and preserved it to the end of the race, in consequence of which he won the wherry; Tuffin, the second candidate, was intitled [sic] to two guineas, and the last to one. The scene was highly picturesque, and the bosom of the Old Thames was adorned with gay company. In the evening the victors were rewarded with their prizes at the Amphitheatre,
During the second race some persons in the cutters attempted to foul the boats, in which they were resisted, and a very general fight amongst near 200 boats’ crews took place; in the course of which a number of persons were knocked overboard. It was at length agreed that two of the original disputants should go on shore and fight it out, and they prepared to do so. Here the confusion was dreadful, all hands trying to jump on shore as quick as possible, to be in at the first of the battle, and in the attempt many fell over-board, but were taken out alive, but dripping. The fight was between Tidy, a waterman, and Black Sam, who got very tidily beaten.
