The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-09-09
THE ST. JOHN REGATTA.
Graphic Description OF the Race and il
Ira gle Result.

Boat Race, which we are able to place
before our readers, appear to possess
considerable interest to the rowing fra
ternitv
The magnitude Of the stake, and the
interests involved, naturally took to the
peaceful shores Of the Kennebecasis
and ST John Rivers, a crowd greater
than any which has visited the quiet
city of st. John since 1t deserved that
name. Thousands of visitors from the
States and the Dominion fiocked to st.
John. and fortunate indeed were thew
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 its confluence
with the st. John River, where it
spreads into broad, placid, shallow
Ia E, about seven miles III 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 a 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
6 ~,
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
$1,000 persons, shiyering for nearly an
hour before the race was called. The
ladies We're out in thousands, wearing
n every possible place the colors Of fine
st. John crew, betting gloves and
whatever else ladies are permitted to
bet-not much in that quiet Puritani-
cal city. The betting among the sport
ing men appeared to be heavy on the
Englishmen. bets of TO | being offer
ed freely, and as freely taken.
At clock tie Tyne men rose, and
being too much excited to eat, amused
themselves by chopping wood to raise
an appetite. Renforth was in excellent
spirits, chatting joyially 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 over-train-
eel. The members of the St John
crew, however, looked in tirst-rate con
dition-pcgfect maryels of muscular
Christianity. At $50 . clock the latter
made their appearance and went on
board their tug, which conveyed them
to the Judges boat, where they waited
until the Tyne men should appear. A
few minutes after clock they went
aboard their boat, and were followed III
few moments by the Tyne crew.
The homo crew won the toss. and
chose the outside position, and were
hailed with cheers as they took up their
position. ana the plaudits were renew
81 as their opponents followed The
two crews sat upright in their boats,
eager vet silent, their oars Just poised
above the water, waiting for the word.
An intense silence Tervaded the spec
tators. Mr. L. II. Jones. the referee,
soId Are you ready2" The two stroke
oars nodded IN the affirmative. Twenty
seconds elapsed, and the referee said,
s'fhen GO" and away they flew The
Tyne men caught the water first, and
gained few feet, settling down to 80
strokes, but III less than half a minute
the St. John men, rowing II,
caught them. Renforth found them
going away and quickened, the specta.
tors yelling with excitement. He in
creased the speed to IS strokes, and foI
two minutes the boats were level
Then the New Brunswickers drew ahead,
foot by foot, till they had half q length.
Then again Renforth spurted, and
caught them, but again the ST. John
men drew away foot by foot. Renforth
had frequently stated 1T as his belief
that the race would be determined in
the first mile, and now he labored with
fearful energy. But to no purpose
the gap increased, and the first mile was
won by the St. John men by three
lengths. Then occurred
THE CATASTROPHE,
of which the New York Tribune gives
the following graphic account:
When the boat got opposite to Ap
plebys Wharf, IN line from the start
ing buoYs, FUlton,s crew being a full
length ahead, to the great astonishment
of everybody the Tyne men ceased
rowing, and but three Of them could be
seen from the shore in their boat. The
two IN the boat rowed slowly to the
shore, and, as the boat neared the
land, Renforth was seen lying back il
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 duml
with surprise on seeing the Tyne boa
stop, and n rush was made towards tn,
spot where the three Tyne men lifted
their fallen comrade ashore
The belief was general at first tina
Renforth was playing a trick. and hat
pretended to faint because he saw tn
race was lost. There were cries O
e Fraud - Shame :" It's a sell,
He knew he was beaten :" Its
shabby trick. !" and a thousand othe
similar exciamations, mingled Wit
cheers, shouts, and the screaming O
the whistles of the steamers and tug
lying in the stream.
But 1t was no trick that poor Ren