John McLean (rower)

John McLean (17 September 1859 – January 22, 1925) (1855 to 1928) was one of seven Australians who each won the World Sculling Championship (Professional) between 1876 and 1957.

John McLean was a native of the Shoalhaven district, New South Wales, where he was born on 17 September 1859 (1855).

On 26 January 1884 he won the All-comers' Race at Broadwater with a 10 lb penalty, beating Campbell and Hollingworth.

At Woodburn, on 9 November 1884, carrying 34 lb, he won the All-comers' Race, beating M. Wallace, Hart, Busch, Hann, and Robinson.

On Easter Monday he won the All-comers' Race at Swan Bay, carrying 30 lb, and beating Campbell and Wilson (feather).

At the Balmain Regatta, 9 November 1888, he finished third in the All-comers' Light Skiff Race, won by H. Messenger, with A. Cormack second, each carrying 15 lb.

On 5 January 1889 he easily defeated G. J. Perkins (ex-champion of England) in wager boats, for £150 a side, on the Parramatta river.

In late March 1890 McLean raced Neil Matterson (who about a month later sculled and lost to Kemp for the World Title.)

Despite a brilliant spurt by McLean he was unable to pass the leader who "won as he liked" by six lengths in a time of 23m.46s.

John McLean believed he was good enough to be the World Champion and again challenged Kemp to a race.

Both boats came close together and McLean fouled Kemp who stopped rowing for a couple of strokes.

He sculled well and despite the best work of Kemp he was unable to overtake McLean who finished six lengths ahead in a time of 22m.13s.

Champions did not have long to rest on their laurels and McLean was soon challenged for his Title by James (Jim) Stanbury, another Australian.

Stanbury maintained his position and easily crossed the line some three lengths to the good in a time of 18m.25s.

McLean died on 22 January 1925 at Randwick, (NSW) aged 65 years and was buried locally.