Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-07-27

The College Union Regatta.
OF THE HARVARD"


1t is a cause of general and well-founded con-
graduation that the first regatta in Central
Massachusetts was so brilliant and successful.
Lake Quinsigamond, better known by the ia
miliar designation of "Long Pond" proved to
be admirably adapted to the purposes of the
trial, the arrangements for the comfort and
pleasure of spectators were all the most exact
ing could desire, and the several clubs gave
great interest to the spectacle by the zeal
with which they entered into the manly and
exciting sport.
The College Union Regatta took place in
this city by the general agreement of the
clubs of Harvard and Yale Colleges and
Brown University. 1t was at first contempla-
ted that it would be no more than match for
the championship of the representatives
of the two institutions first named. 1t was
afterward determined to include all colleges
that might wish to make entries, and to have
it, in fact, grand union regatta The boats
were manned by picked crews, composed of
1.-the, active, muscular men, most of whom
were upon the ground, last week, accustoming
themselves to the course, and actively prepar
ing for the trial. The boats enlisted were
the "Yale, of Yale College, the "Atalanta,"
of Brown University, the Harvard and the
"Avon" of Harvard College.
The boat expected from Trinity College,
and the "Volante" which was promised from
Yale, one of the best of the Navy were not
present. The Harvard" and the "Yale" are
built upon the same general model, to present
a minimum of opposing surface to the water.
The "Avon' and the "Atalanta" are broader
for the regatta, the judges, consisting of Gerard
C. Tobey, for Harvard College, S. Da-
Wis Page for Yale College; Charles M.
Smith, for Brown University; and James
Maekay of New YORK, 1.-THE builder of the
"Yale," and other boats, referee took their
places near the east shore and the bridge. The
station of the boats was fixed by lot, and, at
the firing of pistol, they were ranged abreast
from the judges boat to the west shore,
"Yale" coming first Harvard second,
"Avon'' third "Atalanta" fourth. The dis
lance to be rowed was three miles, starting
bridge, one and half miles toward the north
end of the lake, and return. AT the firing of
the signal gun, the four boats, instinct with
life, leaped into motion, and were soon far on
their way to the stake boat The starting was
admirable, all Of them apparently moved by one
mental and ore muscular effort. The Brown
boat held her course, Straight as line" But
the high wind persuaded the lighter boats
to verge'towar the west shore. The contest
was very close till the boats were so far distant
that slight differences could not be readily dis
tinguished.
The appearance of the banks on either side
of the lake was very picturesque and beauti-
full The trees in ample foliage, along the
entire length of the course, afforded a refresh
ing shade to the multtudes who witnessed the
trial. Not less than ten thousand people were
assembled upon either shore, a large portion
of whom were ladies. On the west side the
seats provided for visitors were all taken, and
many private carriages were scattered along
the wooded theatre which overlooks the pond,
while Joslyn's and Fiske's Cornet Bands con-
tributed their enlivening strains to the general
animation.
The racers were soon observed cutting the
waves on their return, and the result was
watched with exciting interest The "Har-
ward" crossed the line, many times its length
in advance of the rest. The "Yale" next came
in handsomely, and was followed by the
"Ayon" and the 'tAtalanta," at short intervals.
-, of Tbo
ward" came in at 4:57:2S; the yale" at 4:58:
%; the ''Avon" at 4:59:23 and the catalan
ia" at $3.50.