3-021-684 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Thames Rowing-Club athletic sports in Putney Park, [in London], 1869. 'The members of the Thames Rowing Club held their fourth annual meeting for athletic sports on Saturday last, in Putney Park, by permission of Colonel Beresford; and many ladies and gentlemen were present as spectators, enlivened by the music of the Grenadier Guards' band, in spite of the cold and stormy wind, with a fall of snow, which made it less agreeable to stay on the ground. The Thames Handicap Steeplechase was the most exciting event of the day. It was over a two-mile course, with twenty hurdles and six times over a stiff water jump. With the exception of W. B. Newson, of Hounslow, all the eight or nine who started splashed into the water in one or more of the rounds, several taking a three-feet dip every time; the landing being very slippery. The race was won by P. J. Burt. An obstacle race, which would probably have been the most attractive event of the day, was not run until after dusk had set in, and most of the people had left the ground. It was a handicap over 150 yards, through a lake 50 yards broad, and over 150 yards with five hurdles and a barrier. It was won by W. Collins'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.