Nationality British | Name John Hawdon | |
Born 1852 Seaton | ||
John Hawdon was a British sculler, recognised for winning a number of rowing races, most notably against Joseph Sadler ex-champion of the World. He was brought up in the River Tyne region.
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Early success
John Hawdon was five feet seven inches in height, and weighed, in condition, 150 lbs. He commenced his career as a sculler at the Tyne Regatta in 1876, when he won the prize for scullers under twenty one years old. In that year he defeated H. Atkinson and Ralph Forster. He was taken in hand in 1877 by James Percy, under whose care he was carefully trained. He competed at the Thames International Regatta in 1877, in the junior scullers' competition, and in the final heat was beaten by J. Anderson, of Hammersmith. He also competed in the open scullers' handicap at the same regatta, and succeeded in winning the first prize. He remained quiet until March, 1878, when he rowed J. R. Hymes of Stockton, over a two-mile course on the River Thames and defeated him. Three weeks later the pair met again on the River Tyne, when Hawdon was again the victor.
In April he had an easy victory on the Tyne over Robert Bagnall, who at one time was thought good enough to be matched for world championship honours. He took part in the Thames International Regatta, when he won the second class sculls. A match was now made between him and Joseph Sadler, ex-champion of the World. The race took place September 14, 1878, for £200, but the ex-champion was out of all form and the Hawdon won all the way.
Earning notoriety
A race with Joseph Cannon, of Kingston, was raced on October 1, 1878. Hawdon won with the greatest ease in the excellent time 22m. 57. - a performance which at once carried him into the front rank.
Racing William Lumsden
After Hawdon's easy victory over Sadler and Cannon, it was only natural that he should become a great favourite when matched against William Lumsden, whom it was supposed had lost a great deal of the form he at one time possessed. As the affair had been decided upon before Hawdon had so decisively proved his title to his place in the front rank, it was not looked upon as a bad match for Lumsden. They had to row on the Tyne, for £100 aside, from the High Level to Scotswood Suspension Bridge, November 11, the race creating a great amount of excitement in Newcastle and in the vast mining districts adjacent thereto. On board the accompanying steamboats, just before the start, however, some speculation took place, but not before 3 to 1 was offered on Hawdon, and then it was only of a limited character. To the surprise of most people who saw the race, Lumsden made a far better fight than had been expected, and headed his opponent right up to the Elswick Colliery Staithes, nearly two miles, a most desperate race having taken place from the start. The water had been very rough for Hawdon, who had the outside berth, but he was in no way deterred, and as soon as the chances became equalized, he showed a decided superiority and went clean away. Lumsden claimed a foul occurred but this was disallowed and the Blyth man acknowledged that he had been beaten by a better man.
Racing Ned Hanlan
On the 8th of May 1879 Hawdon rowed Ned Hanlan on the Tyne for a stake of £400. Hanlan won the toss for position and took, the north side, which gave him shelter for the first half mile. Before the start five to two was offered and taken on Hanlan, but only to a limited extent. At a little before two o'clock the men took their positions at the stakeboats. At the first attempt they started by mutual consent. At the end of the first hundred yards Hanlan had drawn a length ahead and a little further on was fully a length clear, with ease improving his position. Before the end of the first quarter mile it was felt he was going to be an easy winner, notwithstanding the fact that Hawdon was rowing fast and well. At Skinner Burn Hanlan was two lengths ahead. He frequently looked around over his shoulder to see that the course was clear, apparently not exerting himself to his fullest powers and seeming quite at ease, as if confident of the result. Approaching Redheugh Bridge Hawdon put on a spurt, but it had no effect. Hanlan also quickened up and passed under the bridge with a lead of about three lengths. Hawdon struggled manfully and rowed well and fast, while his opponent continued his easy, quiet style, never apparently exerting himself.
After passing under the bridge Hanlan actually ceased rowing. He allowed Hawdon to draw up almost on a level with him and then with a few strong strokes drew away and resumed his lead of nearly three lengths. The race was from the very first a one-sided affair, although Hawdon rowed gamely. More than once Hanlan allowed the Tynesider to draw up, but with the greatest ease quickly resumed the lead, while every few strokes he looked round to see his course. Near the top of King's Meadow the men were both in very rough water. Hanlan ceased rowing, and Hawdon with half a dozen strokes pulled up on a level with him. Hanlan smiled and nodded to his pilot, who was following in a cutter, and at once drew away. A little further on Hanlan, to the amusement and astonishment of many, stopped rowing, sponged the water out of his boat, and then setting quickly to work again drew away with ease, and this he did two or three times. He eventually went in the easiest of winners by five lengths, and could have won by any distance he liked. His time was twenty-two minutes five seconds. Such a race was never seen on the Tyne.
Hawdon is acknowledged to be a capital sculler, and his easy defeat shows what the Canadian could do. At the end of the race Hanlan rowed up to Hawdon and heartily shook hands with him amidst great cheering. Hanlan scaled one hundred and fifty-three and Hawdon one hundred and fifty-two pounds. The Canadian no doubt anticipated a more difficult task or he would not have started at so hot a pace.