Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-07-13
from the National Infeuigencer.
REGATTA ON THE POTOMAC.

REGATTA ON THE POTOMAC.
Ii has often occurred 10 us, within the last
!hree or Jour years, that there nre few cities
better adapted than those of the Dist let for
splendid aquatic spectacle, such as those
winch have become so iavori,e of late in the
Atlantic cities, and in the PRINCIPAL cities of
England, and which are there designated by
the name OF REGATTA. We notice with
ihuch pleasure spectacle of this kind which
TOOK place last Saturday afternoon, on the
'pnJestic POTOMAC, and which was witness
sea oy numerous assemblage of ladies' and
gentlemen, who met together for that pur,
pose at the Arsenal We are sorry that il
was not more generally known that such an
exhibition was TO have taken place, as we
happen TO known that many ladies' and gen.
te'nen II the city have heen greatly dIsap.
pointed al not having had AN opportunity TO
witness SO agreeable, novel, and graft, inv
spectacle. We do, however, hone that. NJ
no very distant day, another splendid Regat-
Ia VIII be got up by our public spin tied ci,i.
zens, with The aid of those naval and military
gentlemen who ON Saturday last so success
fully contributed 10 the amusement of the
company who met al the Arsenal, ON the
invitation OF Captain RAMSAY and The other
officers there stationed, and in the vicinity.
THE EXHIBITION OF SATURDAY. LAST
he boats, three in number, started at S
O'Clock L. Nj. on the firing ola single pun.
from the Arsenal wharf The Appearance
OF The contending boats, al the time OF starts
ing, was very fine. They were presented
to the view ofthe numerous spectators in the
follow log order:
The boat nearest the channel, s.eercd nv
Capt. SaooT, Of the United States NAVY
was saucy>loOking boat, manned by SIX
hiacks, IN the costume OF the u. = NAVY.
This boat was painted black, and bore the
American ensign and broad pennant.
he next boat was steered 10y Cant
GEORGE RAMSAY, of the Army. IL was
boat Of very superior model, painted black,
with golden streak at the water edge. This
boat was manned by FIVE persons, three %.
whom were boys. She bore the American
ensign, and the men wore white shirts, with
blue collars and cuffs, and tarpauin hats.
The third boat belonging To Mr. ELL
cOrr, whose position was nearest the shore.
was scered by some person whose name we
could not learn. Ii was fdnciiulIy painted
green and white. 1t had light aud " elise
iected crew oil Tour persons, one OF them
boy, and all dressed in white.
The three boats started towards the CITY
where, about one mile in that direction. n
boat was anchored, round " hich the conien-
ding boats were TO row, and return TO the
starting point, making The Whole distance
Captain RAMsAY's boat led the van soon
after starting, and turned the anchor boat
before the other two. She kept the lead all
the way, aud succeeded in eaching the star
ding point before the other two boats, being
about a hundred yards before the second boat
he contest Then was between Capt. SMoor's
boat and Mr.. ELLIcoTT's boat, (the Bell
Between these two boats The contest was very
animated. Captain SoIooT, however, arri-
we'd al the starting point the first, leaving the
Belle considerably behind.
We are sorry that We cannot give the time
exactly which this animated huat race occu
ped. In the opinion of the knowing ones
Captain RAMsAY's boat was rowed at the
rate OF niae ar ten miles an hour
The company and spectators were all high h.
ly delighted, and cheercd the boats ON their
return. The Marine band played delights
fully at the Arsenal, and The entire scene " as
gratifying in The extreme.
After the race, the ladies and gentlemen
invitedt by Captain RAMSAY, partuok re
freshmen,s AT tbs Arsenal, which were eIe
ganuy served up
The company afterwards repaired, on the
invitation of Captain SMooT, 10 his mansion
at the Navy Yard, where a very handsome
entertainment. was also provided for them
with music and dancing, until half past ten
o'clock, when the party broke up, highly
delighted with the amusemeDts of the coca.
sion.