surfresearch.com.au  duke kahanamoku : december 1913-1914

The experience they have gone through down south, no doubt, was calculated to damp enthusiasm.
When it is remembered; however, that Queensland and New South Wales conjointly agreed to reduce the liabilities involved to a minimum, one cannot help being impressed with the fact that the negotiations have revealed, on the part of the controlling officials, a more than justified lack of enterprise and pluck.
Presuming, for the sake of argumment, their pessimistic estimation of the celebrated Hawaiian's ability to arouse interest, say, only sufficient to enable them to partially refill their depleted exchequer, is not an exaggeration of the position of affairs, it is difficult to imagine how it wijj ever be possible for them to liquidate their debts.
It is, at any rate, comforting to be aware that hope has not yet been abandoned that some means will be found of ensuring Kahanamoku's appearance in Melbourne and Adelaide.

CUNHA ANOTHER SPEEDY MAN.
Our thoughts have been so much occupied with the "Duke" that it has quite escaped attention that provision has been made for him to be accompanied by, as the stipulation reads, "a swimming companion," in addition to a manager.
This role is almost certain to be filled by another Hawaiian, who, it is somewhat of a relief to know, does not lay claim to any such fearsome and diffficult-to-be-pronounced surname as his famous fellow-countryman.
He is a performer of some repute, and his name is Cunha.
He has made a trip or two to America as one of the Duke's entourage, and has distinguished himself by finishing second to his compatriot in numerous events.
His speediest effort in public over the hundred appears to be 57sec, and he consistently swims 50yds in the vicinity of 25sec.
Cunha, like the Duke, is a natural swimmer, and it therefore goes without saying he will be thoroughly at home under our open-water conditions.
Although, as I have already stated, I believe Longworth will be seen to the very best advantage from 220yds onwards, I do not expect that either he or Barry will break 58sec in the race for the hundred yards premiership.
Longworth has a championship swim of 56 4-5sec to his credit, but he was sprinting exceptionally well that year.

Albert Barry, the present holder of both State and Australasian titles and Commonwealth record (56 3-5sec) , has never yet bettered the figures quoted in an actual struggle for supremacy.
A two-seconds-less-than-the- minute pertormance has mostly been l that was demanded to win the honors.
That being so, I am prepared to maintain that the probability is Cunha will be runner-up in the contests over sprint distances.
Cunha should be especially useful for exhibition purposes at places where the Duke performs and there is no local talent available capable of making any sort of showing against him.

The circumstances vividly recall Stockholm, and the perturbations members of the Olympic team underwent as the s.s. (sic, S.S.) Finland, with the "Duke" and other American representatives on board, hurried in the direction of that port.
We knew, instinctively or otherwise, that kahanamoku was the individual we had most cause to fear.
A name is not supposed to be of any significance, but we were not then familiar with the Hawaiian nomenclature and I rather think this was a factor in keeping him in our dread as an opponent.
It had been rumored time and again that the Finland had reached her destination, and we began to greet such anouncements with the same contempt as war scares nowdays.
But I recollect one or other of our party one afternoon suddenly bursting into the room with the startling infirmation, "He's here! I've seen him!"
There was no necessity for any further explanation as to whom the reference applied.
Where we were staying was only a short distance from the "Swim Gladeon", as it was called, and when our informant told us the Duke was still in the water when he left, we immediately rushed off in hopes of catching a glimpse of him.
He was standing on the side of the enclosure just about to take a plunge.
The first thought that occured to me, after I caught sight of him, was that he was not as pleasant-featured a man as Alick Wickham, nor was there anything prepossessing about his physique.
He was tall and somewhat lanky in build.
No sooner had he entered the water, however, than we were spellbound with admiration of the fish-like rapidity with which he cleaved the element.
He worked his feet - which we had not failed to observe were unusually large - after the style of propellers.
The disturbance made by his leg movement increased the likeness.
When we came to study his action more critically we noticed he placed his arms in rather an unattractive way.
But this imperfect was forgotten, almost as soon as noted, because we were unconiously impressed with the fact that in this instance, as regards any aesthetic flaw it might be possible to detect in his stroke, it was a case of handsome is that handsome does.

DUKE'S ATTRACTIVE PERSONALITY
On closer aquaintance we found the Duke, as we soon began to to term him, a very friendly man.
He was particualy obliging in the matter of giving exhibitions for our special edification or illustrating any feature of his stroke.
He speaks English well, with American mannerisms of a mild description.
One of the first things we were anxious to find out was whether the title "Duke" was an aristocratic appendage, or merely a term of endearment.
We discovered he had not inherited the distinction, but that his pals had conferred it upon him, probably because they considered him a prince of good fellows.

Kahanamoku quickly installed himself a general favorite.
This reputation was confirmed as the competition progressed.
After the first couple of rounds of the 100 metres, it was realised the result was a forgone conclusion, and his fame was firmly established.
Although he was the cynosure of all eyes, and was attracting far more attention than any of the great exponents who were displaying their prowess there, his notoriety never had the slightest effect on the Duke's deportment, his demeanor being invariably modest and unconcerned.

A Mr. Darnell, of London, a liberal donor to the Royal Life-Saving Society, who came across with Mr. William Henry, carried away by wonderment of the marevellously fast performances the Duke was registering, and as an incentive for him to strive to the full extent of his powers offered to present kahanamoku with a 25-guinea cup in the event of him touching 60sec for the said distance.
That the suggestion was not preposterous was shown by his having covered the course at Hamburg, a few days subsequent to the Games, in 61 3-5sec, which now consitutes the existing world record.
Sixty-two three-fifths was acually the closest he got to the mark at Stockholm.

The task set for him by Mr. Darnell was responsible for the Duke swimming a badly-judged race in the final, which enabled me to get much nearer to him at the finish than would have otherwise happened.
I overheard the manager of the American team, Mr. Otto Wahlde, remark to Kahanamoku, on the way to the post:
"Now, Duke, this is the last chance you've got for the Englishman's trophy."
As a result of this admonition, no doubt, the Hawaiian started off at a terrific pace.
He shot away from the rest of us like a hydroplane.
I saw a streak of foam disappearing over my horizon.
That was enough.
I concentrated my worries elsewhere.
But bafter the motorist had traversed about 90yds he ran short of petrol, and his form loomed up again in my vision.
This occurrence simply electrified me, and minimised my own impending tiredness.

There was another incident that that occupies a conspicuous niche in my memory of what took place on that historical occasion.
It was enacted on the starting platform.
The King and Queen of Sweden and other members of the Royal family were in attendance.
The sale of tickets had been stopped by the police.
Every available inch of space was filled by by the expectant crowd.
As can be imagined, the moment was one of intense excitement.
We had been allotted our stations, and the spectators duly advised of our identity and the countries we represented.
Just as we were about to assume a crouching attitude, Bretting, the German representative, left his post, at the opposite end of the line to where Kahanamoku and myself were placed.
Not a a few of his countrymen, it might be mentioned, had unbounded confidence in his ability to seriously dispute the issue with the Hawaiian.
Bretting walked straight up to the Duke, shook hands with him, turned to me and did likewise (he had picked up the crawl from seeing me swim in Hamburg six years previously), and, retraced his steps.
I had not yet recovered from my astonishment at this proceedure when the Duke's voice broke in:
"Say, Healy, he must think he is going to deliver the goods."
The comment struck me at the time as being immensely funny, and an involuntary peal of laughter escaped me before I collected my wits sufficiently to make the rejoiner:
"Then blessed is he who expecteth nothing."

A big gathering of prominent swimmers and officials awaited the steamer's arrival at the wharf.
Many others, however, myself included, who were anxious to be present to greet the visitors when the stepped ashore, were misinformed as to the time the ship was due, and thus prevented from carrying out that intention.

The party consists of Kahanamouku,  Mr. Francis Evans, manager, and Cunha, another swimmer or repute.
To the suprise of all, Cunha is not an Hawaiian native as was thought, but a white man.
He was born at Honolulu and is of Portuguese-Irish descent.
Both he and Mr. Evans are short, slightly built men.
They look small by contrast alongside the Duke, who stands over 6ft.

The tourists were officially welcomed at the Hotel Australia at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon.
Followers of the sport congregated in great force.
It was the largest and most representative assembly of natatorial enthusiasts ever seen in Sydney.
The guests were recorded a magnificent reception, the hero of the occasion, Duke, of course, being specifically signalled out.

The president of the N.S.W.A.S.A., Mr. James Taylor, who presided, in proposing the health of the visitors, remarked thatthe controlling body had endeavored unsuccessfully in the past to secure the presence of champions from other parts of the world to measure blades, as it were, with Australians under their own conditions.
It had remained for the Olympic champion, Duke Kahanamoku, to be the first accredited International swimmer to visit these shores.

The toast was supported by Messrs. H. Y. Braddon and C. W. Oakes, and drunk with enthusiasm and cordiality.

In replying, Mr. Evans conveyed the best wishes of the hawaiian sportsmen to Australians for their kindly invitation..
He stated that Mr. Rawlins was extremely sorry at not being able to undertake the journey.
He explained that Mr. Rawlins had recently been elected a member of the legislature and he was debarred on that account from making the trip.
Their reception had been such as only benefited the greastest sports-loving country in the world.

The chairman's announcement of the Duke's name was responsible for a great burst of cheering, which continued after he had risen to his feet.
Kahanamoku did not portray signs of self conciousness.
He faced his audience calmly, and spoke deliberately.
He said he had been looking forward to visiting Australia for the last two or three seasons, and felt sure he was in for a good time.
Cunha also made a few observations.
None of the party, as a matter of fact, revealed a perchant for public speaking.

All my glowing impressions of the Duke (as a man) were re-established.
I had managed to get a chance to shake hands and have a chat with him.
He is a splendid dispositioned fellow, and I cannot concieve the thought of anyone taking other than an instant liking for him.
I make bold to predict that he will have ingratiated himself into the affections of a large number of Australians before departing on his homeward voyage.
I could not detect any alteration in his appearance.
He says he feels well, and his looks donot belie him.
The Ventura struck it pretty rough about 24 hours before she entered the harbour, but the travellers weathered the storm without suffering any dire consequences.

This information, I am sure, both swimmers and surfers will be delighted to be acquainted with, as holding out prospects of the acquirement of the knack of manipulating them.

I have not as yet seen Cunha in the water, but Longworth, who I consider an excellent judge, assures me he is a flyer; at least, that is the estimation he formed of him after watching him play about in the element for a while on Monday.
Cuhuna is not at all unlike Percy McGillivary, who, next to the Duke, was perhaps the most prominent member of the American Olympic team.

I enquired of Mr. Evans if the voyage across in the Ventura was uneventual.
"Not altogether," was his comment; "we lost a propeller," which made me anxiously question, "Not one of the Duke's, surely?"
Mr. Evans was happy to state the Duke was still of the twin-srew variety.
Bye the bye, Mr. W. W. Hill enlightens me as to how Kahanamoku came to be called "Duke."
His birth corresponded with the visit of the Duke of Cummerland to Honolulu, and he was christened so in honour of that event.
The visitors were located at the Oxford Hotel.

DUKE KAHANAMOKU The fastest swimmer in the world, photographed at the Sydney domain Baths two hours after his arrival in Sydney.	GEORGE CUNHA, SECOND ONLY TO KAHANAMOKU AS SWIMMER IN HAWAII. He secured second place in most of the Pacific Coast Championships, and can do 100yds in 57sec. He is one of the Honolulu party now in Sydney.

Kahamamoku has decided not to compete in the longer distances.
He is not a distance or middle distance swimmer.
However, on this tour he has agreed to swim in all championships up and up to and including the quarter-mile; and will appear in the hundred yards on January 2,  440 yd. on January 6 and 220 yd. on January 9.
His companion, Geo. Cunha, will swim in the 100 yards and the 220 yards events on the two Saturdays, and will swim in the first-class handicap on the mid week gala.
Probably an attempt will be made on the 50 yards or 75 yards record, or a teams relay race over 220 yd., two men each racing 110 yards, will be arranged.
The matter will be settled within the next day or so by the executive of the A.S.A.
The second is the termination of the Melbourne club to compete at the carnivals is gratifying....

The Australian Swimming Union received a cable message from the secretary-treasurer of the Amateur Athletic Union of United States, through the Hawaiian Athletic Association, vouching for the amateur standing of George Cunha and the Duke Kahamamoku, and granting them permission to compete in Australia.
A similar statement asked for by the United States Athletic Union regarding the understanding of the Australian swimmers, was cabled.

Longworth, Barry, and Cunha (Kahanamoku's companion) put up some speedy performances In the Municipal Baths, Domain, yesterday.
Longworth covered 440 yards in 5min. 30sec., Barry got over 110 yards in 1min. 2sec., which is only 3-5 seconds slower than Kahanamoku's world's 100 metres (slightly less than 110 yards) record,
accomplished at the Olympic Games held in Stockholm, two years ago.
Barry, it might be mentloned, is being trained in gymnasium work by Mr. Snowy Baker, for the forthcoming contests which are sure to excite world-wide interest.

Cunha's contribution to the swimming sensations of yesterday was 100 yards in 57sec.
Entrles for the several events In connectlon with the approaching championship meetlng,
have closed, and are unusually numerous.
Mr. Hay, the association organiser for the carnival, spent the whole day Monday and the greater part of the night receiving them.
Those who will compete for the 100 yards honors are:- Duke Paoa Kahanamoku..:
George Cunha, W. Longworth. A. Barry, LO. Solomons, H. M. Hay, G. Wyld, J. Huie, Tas Jones, E. G. Finlay, J. Stedman. B. G. Page.

Autographed Postcard, Feb 11, 1915.  E. S. Marks was  prominant in Sydney sports and was a member of the Manly Surf Club in 1910. S and G Champion (2000) page 134. Sydney's premier athletic track is named  The E.S. Marks Field. Postcard reproduced from private collection.

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