Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-09-06
THE ST. JOHN REGATTA.
Graphic Description of the Race and its
Tragic Result.

HE 81 JVhN hEJAIiAs
Graphic Description of the Race and its
Tragic Result.
The particulars Of the International
Boat Race, which we are able to place
before our readers, appear to possess
considerable interest to the rowing fra
ternity
The magnitude of the stake, and the
interests involved, naturally took to the
peaceful shores of the Kennebecasis
and st. John Rivers, crowd greater
than any which has visited the quiet
city of st. John. since it deserved that
name. Thousands Of visitors from the
States and the Dominion focked to St.
John, and fortunate indeed were they
who could secure accommodation in
the hotels and private houses. The
race had been fixed at an unusually
early hour, for the purpose of securing
clear, calm weather, a stiff land breeze
generally stirring the broad waters of
the Kennebecasis after 10 or II o'clock
The course chosen was on the river
named, at point near it's confluence
with the st. John River, where it
spreads into a broad, placid, shallow
lake, about seven miles in length, and
two in width.
The scenery around it is especially
lovely at this season of the year, the
bold frowning banks being clothed with
foliage, and dotted all over with white
farm houses. Looking upon the lake,
is lofty headland, rising almost sheer
from the water TO the height of about
400 feet, to which strangers flock to see
the sun set-a sight not easily forgot
ten. This headland, near Hollis farm
Holt is a character in st. John-the
proprietor of Mosquito Cave, and the
owner of large lumber yard in the
vicinity of the peak-commands a view
of the entire course, and was thronged
with spectators at an early hour of the
day.
Along the banks, too, were thou
sands of people, strong in their faith,
and certain that the pink colors of ST..
John would belong to the winning
crew. The air was chilly at o'clock,
as it always is in New Brunswick, along
the Bay Of Fundy, The regular sea-
fog had not yet put in an appearance.
The sky was cloudless, but the air was
chilly. The crowd, numbering about
1000 persons, shivering for nearly al
hour before the race was called. The
ladies were out in thousands, wearing
in every possible place the coIors of The
st. John crew, betting gloves an6
whatever else ladies are permitted &c
bet-not much in that quiet Puritani.
cal city. The betting among the sport
ing men appeared to be heavy on the
1Ca hot 0f - l.
ed freely, and as freely taken.
At o'clock the Tyne men.rose, ant
being too much excited to eat, amused
themselves by chopping wood to raise
an appetite. Renforth was in excellen
spirits, chatting jovially and chatting
the st. John men about the race
Chambers, too, looked hearty and full
of life, and enjoyed the morning walk
but Kelly and Percy looked oyer-train
ed. The members of the st. JOIN
crew, however, looked in first-rate con
dition-perfect marvels of muscular
Christianity. At $50 o'clock the latte
made their appearance and went OF
board their tug, which conveyed then
to the Judges boat, where they waited
until the Tyne men should appear 4
few minutes after o'clock they wen
aboard their boat, and were followed il
few moments by the Tyne crew.
The home crew won the toss, ant
chose the outside position, and wer
hailed with cheers as they took up thei
position, and the plaudits were renew
ed as their opponents followed TIL
two crews sat upright in their boats
eager yet silent, their oars Just poiset
above the water, waiting for the word
An intense silence pervaded the spec
taters. Mr. 7. r. Jones, the referee
said . Are you ready?" The two strol,
oars nodded III the affirmative. Twert7
seconds elapsed, and the referee said
"Then go;n and away they few. TIL
Tyne men caught the water first, anC
gained few feet, settling down to 3!
strokes, but in less than half a pinut
the st. John men, rowing -
caught them. Renforth found then
going away and quickened, the specta
TORS yelling with excitement. He in
creased the speed to IS strokes, and 70
two minutes the boats were level
Then the New Brunswickers drew ahead
foot by foot, till they had half a length
Then again Renforth spurted. ant
caught them, but again the st. Job1
men drew away foot by foot. Renfortl
had frequently stated 1t as his belle
that the race would be determined !,
the first mile, and now he iabored will
fearful energy. But to no purpose,
the gap increased, and the first mile wa
won by the st. John men by thre,
lengths. Then occurred
TIE CATASTROPHE.
of which the New York Tribune give,
the following graphic account:
when the beat got opposite to Ap
pIeby's Wharf, in line from the start.
ing buoys, Fulton's crew being q f1l1
length ahead, to the great establishment
OF everybody the Tyne men ceased
rowing, and but three of them could be
seen from the shore in their boat. The
two III the boat rowed slowly to the
shore, and, as the boat neared the
land, Renforth was seen lying back in
the arms of Kelly, who sat next in
front of him, apparently insensible.
The crowd, which had been yelling at
the top OF their voices, became dumb
with surprise on seeing the Tyne boat
stop, and rush was made towards the
spot where the three Tyne men lifted
their fallen comrade ashore.
The belief was general at first chat
Renforth was playing trick, and had
pretended TO faint because he saw the
race was lost. There were cries of
" Fraud" "Shame !" cts a selI!'
He knew he was beaten ~ cts a
shabby trick !" and thousand other
similar ordinations, mingled with
cheers, shouts, and the screaming of
the whistles of the steamers and tugs
lying in the stream.
but y was no trick that poor Rem
1oEtn was playing. Death had played
shabby trick" with him, and had
snatched the oar from his hands in the
midst OF the race in which he had
hoped to win the brightest laurels OF
ms career. The poor champion had
pulled hls last stroke He was taken
up the bank, put in carriage. and