The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-30

press are allowed to pass. The betting ID
two to one and seven to four on the Oxfords.
It is reported that several American gentle
men now here staked one thousand pounds
on the success of the Harvards last eve
ming"
PreIiminarfes Of the Contest.
The following interesting details relating
to the preliminarics of the contest, the per-
sonnel Of the contestants, &C., is given:
THE HARvARDs ABROAD.
The Harvard crew sailed from New York
city for Liverpool on the 10th of July, and
reached Putney, on the banks of the
Thames, near London, ON the 2lst. Here
they were at first quartered at an inn
called the Star and Garter, but in few
days Mr.. William Blake, their business
manager, secured cottage for them near
the buildings of the London Rowing Club,
in which they have since been living. The
crew Immediately commenced practice. At
this time it consisted of Simmons, stroke
Rice, Bass, Loring, bow and Burnham,
coxswain. 1t is altogether probable that
the English were not prepared to see such q
| formidable set of men as the HaTvards ap-
peared to be when they reached Putney and
settled down to steady work. The press,
however, soon recognized the fact that the
Oxfords would not have an easy task to win,
and that the race was not to be-what per-
haps had been half-expected-bu little diff
ferent from q walk-oyer for the Oxford
crew.
| THE PRACTICE AT PUTNEY.
At first the Harvards practiced in then
new American boat, built by Elliott, OF
Greenpoint, Long Island, just previous tc
their departure. This boat is about forty
eight feet long, while the length of English
four cared boats averages forty-two feet
They were coached" as it is called, by
Harry Kelley, the champion sculler OF
England, for the first few days Of their
practice. This is merely another name foI
training, the person who acts as "coach .
accompanying the crew, either along the
shore, or in O separate boat, and correcting
all the faults he can detect.
The Oxford crew, said to be the best that
the university has ever turned out, com
menced rowing on the Thames on the last
day of July. Their quarters have been al
q villa belonging to the father. of Mr.. T
william, the bow oarsman. The boat which
they have used for training was built by
Salter, celebrated English builder. The
Harvard men, on their arrival, wishing tt
test different English boats, ordered one Of
the same make. Both crews continued theil
training during the first part of the present
month, the Harvards steadily improving II
style and speed, according to the Londor
newspapers. The Americans rearrangeG
themselves, with Bass at the bow and Lorine
as stroke, and with beat of the Londor
Rowing Club continued daily to increase
their speed and improve in other respects
on their previous practice.
TIE MEN OF THE RACE.
On the 23d of July the regatta between
the six-oared boats of Harvard and Yak
took place at Worcester, Mass. Yale was
beaten, although her crew was the best sht
has had in many years. Two days after
the race, Lyman and Fay, of the Harvard
Worcester crew, sailed for Europe as substi
tutes in the international race, should theil
services be required. Immediately on theil
arrival at London they went out with tht
crew and so marked was the superiority
Of the rowing, after they took their place!
in the boat, that it was soon decided thai
they should replace Messrs. Bass and Rice
| The American crew had now finally beer
arranged as it was to row in the race. The
middle of August seemed late day fol
such a change as had been made, and thii
change was the theme of severe criticism
Those, however, who are acquainted will
Loring have the utmost confdcnc in hi
Judgment, and entertain no doubt that h.
pursued the wisest course. The crews were
arranged as follows:
| OXFORD.
S. Darbishire, Baliol College, stroke, 2:
years, 1Gl pounds. Fl.
J. C. Time, University College, % years
1S9 pounds.
A. C. Marlborough, Lincoln College, q
years, 161 pounds.
F. william, Exeter College, bow, Is years
l63 pounds. -ely., gu~ -..
J. Hall, Corpus Christi College, coxsWain
10l pounds. ...,,~... q"
| HARVARD.
A. P. Loring, Boston, stroke, % years
l56 pounds. .. .,-.,.. ......... H.
W. II. Simmons, Concord, Mass, q
years, 1872 pounds. ----r.. .,-r..t,
f. Q. Lyman, Sandwich Islands, Is.
pounds. faap -.u...r r,unr4
=. 1fdJ.S. Fay, Boston, bow, l55 pounds. s.,
A. Burnham, Chicago, coxswain, Ill
pounds. ..r
I All the men in the Oxford crew rowed il
the winning eights against Cambridge OF
the same course over which the race to
day took place both this year and last ant
both Mr.. Time and. Mr.. william rowed il
the victorious Oxford eight of 1867, and il
| !, n r.n ,oly a,,Ya ID,
gatta. They al have pulled in the college
matches at Oxford, and in the winning
boat at the great amateur regatta for scho
lars and gentlemen at Hensley. The crew
thus had the advantage of great expert
ence. Their familiarity with the cours'
was strong point in their favor. ri:
Loring and Simmons rowed in two victo
rious races against Yale at Worcester. Lo
ring was stroke of the Harvards in 1868
when they made the three miles in seven
teen minutes and forty-eight and hal
seconds-the quickest time on record in the
University races. Lyman and Fay, a
stated, were in the race of last July, il
which the time was the fastest ever mad
. on the course with. the exception of tina
last year. One of the great advantages o
Lyman and Fay over Bass and Rice was thu
experience and confidence which was gained
by having pulled in regular and hardly
contested race. .... .
| THE AMERICAN STROKE AND BOAT.
The Harvards pulled their own strok'
in their own boat. The boat which Mr.
Elliott built just before the crew sailed wal
| found to be unsuitable for the waters of tn,
Thames but that gentleman accompanies
| the Harvard men to England, ant
when he saw what was needed he i'm
mediately set about building new boat
which was, used, as the crew like it better