The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-29

that Harvard had secured the best station, namely,
that on the Middiesex side Of the water.
As soon - the stems OF both boats were close TO
the gigs from wa,cn they 10 start Mr. Blaikie,
the starter, asked the usual question:
"Are you readyr
Twice the reply came from Oxford, "No.n
A few seconds Of interval were allowed and then
again the question was putt
care you ready; are you readys''
"Gc.u
No sooner had the words left the speakers mouth
than the two boats moved on almost simultaneously
Harvard, however. leaves quickest at ner oars, and
gliding easily and proudly away she, in the fret
few strokes, passed to the front and went fully half
length IN advance. 80, setting themselves to work
with energy and even with ferceness, her crew
dashed ahead right away from oxford, ana before
200 yards had been covered they were full
length ahead. Still straining themselves
and rowing desperately at forty-nve strokes
to the minute, the Harvard men further
increased the distance between themselves and their
formidable opponents. who at forty strokes 70 the
minute appeared to be languid, one might almost
say lazy, In comparison to the swift young Ameri-
cans The Harvard boat new along the smooth
water like thing Of life, neither dipping nor feath
eiing but sustaining steady fast and regular mo-
ton. like that OF screw steamer. Again and again
IL seemed as II Oxford on the first half mile were
bringing their great strength to bear the strug
gle, but every effort OF theirs met with successful
response In the gigantic efforts OF the Harvard crew.
Thus the race continued up to Craven Point At
that crucial part OF the course oxford seemed to
draw little upon her opponents Burnham, Har-
ward cOxswain taking the boat little too far to the
left at one time. threatened case OF foul with the
dark blues, but seeing his error he took what was
the next BEST though still bad course Of steering
mis- boats head out OF the line and thus describing
section Of circle. BY this proceeding distance
was lost which at that time was not Of SO much i'm
portance, but which had probably some
effect on the ultimate result Of the race.
AT first there were those who, notwith.
standing the position Of oxford, were willing to
offer ten to eight and even ten to seven on that
crew. but now alter Harvard had sustained her pro-
gress and kept her advantage over one Of the most
dangerous and trying parts OF the river no one was
found to offer even level betting on the oxford
In view of the first testing point Of the race name
ly, that at Hammersmitn BRIDGE the Oxford men
were observed TO put on special effort and for
quarter OF mile up to that point 1t seemed doubtful
which would pass the Rubicon first. The bridge It.
self and the shore on both sides swarmed with hui
man beings The chains OF the bridge even were
covered with men and boys who chung to them with
hands and feet more alter the position OF monkeys
than Of men, and who dehed the efforts OF the most
active policemen TO remove them. Harvard dashed
up to the bridge In gallant style, In eight minutes
twenty-0ne seconds, q particularly rapid time on
not very fast tide. The Americans still held the
lead, but Oxford was pressing closely and danger.
ousy upon their quarter, and threatened at any
moment to wrest from them the position which up to
this time they had so firmly maintained. Clearing the
bridge, however, Harvard again spurtea vigorously
o,A0 IN ohnf ofYf taa Inpv
drag the oxford men, who, 1t seemed, were now
warming to their work with unnnching courage.
Up to the end Of two miles was this fierce
and exciting struggle under a broiling sun
maintained. The brown skins OF the Americans
shone with the perspiratiOn that streamed over
them, and the oxford men were pale with the mo.
tiOn but pulling firmly and steadily together as one
man, and following up their opponents as the hound
follows the stag. BY the time that the two miles had
been finished, and when they were near the foot Of
Cheswick Ey0t the Harvard men were observed to
flag slightly. In q moment Oxford without putting
apparently any especial EFFORT were their quar-.
ter, drawing ahead. Still, further, there were two
minutes OF exciting contest for the actual lead.
When the Americans found themselves in close
quarters with their Ong-dreaded enemies they must
have quivered with emotion; for they knew shat the
bodily strength of one Of their men was sorely taxed
They, however, maintained the terrible fight with
unyielding courage, and 1t was doubtful for length
OF time which would pass successfully through the
final and crucial testing points OF the and prove
the victor. The nigh training the skilful coaching
and the long experience OF Oxford did its work
gradually slowly, but surely. They Overhauled the
representatives OF the American University, and
forging ahead with immense power placed first a
quarter then length, then length and a hall,
and then two clear lengths between them and the
toing Americans. Burnham cheered on his men.
Shouts and cries arose from thousands Of voices
on the banks who witnessed this exciting
struggle, and it was then and there agreed
that 1t was OF the finest and nOblest races that
had ever been pulled on the metropolitan river OF
Great Britain. Burnham, the coXswain who. not
withstandmg one or two faults, had steered good
course, urged his men, and they responded seve.
raj times most CALAMITY, threatening again to re.
duce the distance between them and the Oxford
crew. but 1t was only for moment; the long. steady
pull OF the oxford crew could not be overcome. In
vain did Burnham dash water upon his gallant
crew; In vain dad they respond with their extreme
strength; in vain did they struggle, with heroic
courage, over the last OF the four miles and quar-
ter; oxford firmly and mercilessy held Its own, and
ultimately achieved the victory, landing itself win
ner by four lengths, in twenty-five minutes and
twenty-five seconds, after one of the most splendid
races ever seen upon the Thames.
The course was kept clear throughout. The ar
in other respects were satisfactory
The race was fair one. and reflects great honor
upon the courage and durance Of both the gallant
crews
The Race Of 1S24-New York Boatmen
Against British Naval Onrsmep.
"Putmans Rowers' Mammal and Boat Club Regis
ter" written and compiled under the supervision OF
the President Of the Empire City Regatta Club and
published In New York in 1885, contains the follow.
ing highly interesting account OF an exciting boat
race, which took place in the waters OF the bay Of
New York. in the year 1924, between O crew Of
whitehall boatmen and sailors taken from British
war frigate. The account OF this international
aquatic struggle is OF exceeding great value Just
now as evidence OF what American oarsmen can
accomplish when competing with foreign visitors
on this side Of the Atlantic The 'ROwers' Manual,
reports as follows:-