The New York herald., 1869-07-04
AQUATIC.



An exciting and closely contested race came of
yesterday afternoon between several members of the
Quick Boat Club over the usual course contiguou;
to the Elysian Fields. The prize Was handsome
gold badge, valued at 500, and gotten up in the
highest style OF artistic design. Comparatively few
persons attended the race. Those whose taste led
them IN that direction assembled on board the
Virginia seymour at little after four O'Clock, and
proceeded at once to the course But little excite
ment was manifested, the betting being very light.
Four entries were announced, r. B. Deey, A. Hardy,
H. J. Hobbe and j. O. Gilbert. Hardy was the favor
ite at decided odds, Deely having the second call
and Gilbert failing the list at odds OF somet thing like
two to one
In striking contrast TO the delay usually mani
tested on similar occasions, the prelimnaries were
speedily arranged and Juoges chosen-H. TruaX for
HARDY, O. Ihoms for KoDDe, J. Waterson for Deely,
and j. c. Eckerson for Gilbert Timothy Shea was
elected referee and c. Thoms tlmekeeper Mr. Truax
oficated as starter.
at eighteen minutes after five the word 'go,
was given, Deely having the choice of positions,
with Hoboe on his lett, Gilbert next and Hardy on
tue extreme outside. Deely getting the besC OF the
''dp' showed Immediately at The front, and In
twenty strokes was two lengths in advance, HoDbe,
Hardy and Gilbert failing or IN respective success
sion. These positions they maintained untn tney
reached point one-elghth OF mile from the start
ing point, wnen Deey increased his lead to ten
lengths and Hardy drew up TO HObbe, Gilbert
still playing "whlpper III, and evidently already OUT
OF the race on the Weehawken coal dock Deely
had increased his lead to fifteen lengths and Hardy
by vigorous squirt showed daylight between his boat
and that Of Hobbies. Gilbert padded on some fifty
lengths in the rear as If rowing his own account
and seemingly oblivlous to the fact was row.
Ing a race at all. About 20O yards beyond the coal
dock Hobbe caught nasty "crabn which enabled
Hardy TO show some half dozen lengths additional
In advance. Deey here fell back little, but soon
qulckened his stroke rounding the stake boat In q
little more than ten minutes from the time OF start
Ing. Hardy followed him, forty seconds later Hobbe
turning the wrong way, and Gilbert performing the
nr5t half OF MS pleasure trip some two minutes later
At the Cove dock Deely was a good
twenty-five lengths ahead rowing a rapid,
put easy stroke, Hardy seeming TO repu-
diate the tacit Instructions OF his coaching
boat (the sx-oared gig OF the Atalantas), and hug-
ging the eastern shore instead OF Keeping to the
pushing udewater OF the outer stream A little dis
tance past the coal dock the clouds which had
looked threatening for long time opened their
foodgates, thoroughly soaking the contestants and
driving the spectators to the nearest places OF rel
uge. The storm lasted but q moment however,
Deeiy crossing the score in the full rays of the SUM-
the winner OF the race and badge in the unequaned
time OF twentytnree minutes and thirty seconds
Hardy followed minute and SIX seconds later, Hobbe
thirty seconds behind him, and Gilbert long dis
tance "Out to sea-" This performance has as yet no
equal on this course, though many questioned the
reliability OF the timekeepers decision, insisting
that a mistake certainly existed somewhere
Deely, II Will thus be seen, wears the proud badge
OF champion OF the Gulicks He gallantly and Iairy
earned II.