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Written by: David Minshall
The return rifle match between American and Irish riflemen took place at Dollymount Range, about two miles from Dublin, Ireland, on 29 June 1875. Conditions and targets were the same as the previous year’s match at Creedmoor, with the six man teams firing fifteen shots each at each of the three ranges of 800, 900, and 1000 yards. No sighting shots were allowed.
Except for the replacement of Hepburn by Coleman, the American team finally selected to compete the international match was the same as that for 1874. As with the previous year the Americans used breech-loaders; J. Bodine, R.C. Coleman, T.S. Dakin and H. Fulton shot with Remington rifles, and H.A. Gildersleeve and G.W. Yale with Sharps. The Irish team, using Rigby muzzle-loaders, was J.B. Hamilton, E. Johnson, J. M’Kenna, J.K. Milner, J. Pollock and J. Wilson.
Public interest in the event was immense, with reports ranging from a crowd of twenty thousand by early afternoon, increasing to thirty thousand by the time that the 1,000 yard shooting commenced, and one paper estimating crowds of forty or fifty thousand!
The International Rifle Match Between American and Irish Teams, at Dollymount, near Dublin
(Illustrated London News, 10 July 1875)
Each team was on the ground for the match start at eleven o’clock, at which time shooting at the 800 yards range commenced. At the close of this stage Ireland had scored 338, against the American’s 337 and each side must have felt confident and buoyant. There were some notable scores from both sides, with Bodine and Dakin for the Americans, and Johnson and Wilson for the Irish each scoring 58 out of a possible 60. Top scorer however was the Irishman, Pollock, with 59.
After a half hour break the 900 yards shooting commenced. Despite the growing crowds and general excitement, the American Team forged ahead taking a commanding lead with a score of 327 against the Irish on 292. Bodine was the top scorer at 900 yards with 59. Unless disaster was to befall the American team this was an almost unassailable lead.
At 1,000 yards, the Irish, perhaps somewhat nervous and dejected after their earlier performance, still made a creditable score of 299, seven points higher than their 900 yard score. They were, however, unable to close the gap on the Americans. The latter, remaining cool and collected, scored 303. Wilson, for Ireland, was the top scorer at 1,000 yards, with 55. The final team scores were America 967, Ireland 929.
The two teams retired to their tents, followed by cheering crowds. After a few minutes Major Leech, captain of the Irish team emerged and after a short speech called for three cheers for Colonel Gildersleeve and the American team. When the cheering subsided Colonel Gildersleeve came forward, amid further loud cheers, and also made a short speech, concluding with the American team joining in giving three cheers for Major Leech and the Irish team.
Round after round of cheering was given, and the assembly gradually dispersed.
Research Press Digest 2024 is an historical record of the
formative years of international long range target rifle shooting.
It tells the story of
Creedmoor and the international matches
during the 19th century; their rise and demise,
and the revival of the Palma Match in the early 20th century.
