The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-30

Both Crews at work-Opinions Regarding the
Americans-The Atalautas and Londoners
Compared Mode Of Training Of the For
mer-The Race Course and Practice
Plsce-Betting on the Result
LONDON, May Is. 1872.

The five members OF the New York ATLANTA Club |
VITO are now domiced at Hammersmith may be |
fairly congratulated on having produced a favor
able impression In England. on their arrival at |
Liverpool they were received and welcomed in the
most cordial manner by members OF the London
and other rowing clubs; for day or two they were
feted and ionized, and now, for some little time
past, they have settled down into quiet training
life Having removed from the hotel at Putney
into private lodgings at the suburb just mentioned
they are not quite much before the public eye as
II they had remained at Putney, but there are
always numbers of spectators to see them take
their daily practice, and, among those who have
made their acquaintance the Atalantas have won
decidedly good opinions. Regarded as plain, frank
and unassuming men, 1t is felt that, whatever may
be their chance as oarsmen, they are entitled to
respect as strangers. Compared with the
London crew they look small and light,
not to say weak The London four are,
as respects three OF them, men of average
build and OF fourteen pounds more weight than
their rivals. Mr. Long, however, is TALL we'll
formed man, OF more than ordinary proportions.
The Americans, on the other hand, arc, with
respect TO Smith and Handy, almost boyish looking;
Mr. withers looks older than the men who usually
pun in races here; Van Raden, though tall ana
possessing long reach, seems highly attenuated
when in rowing costume and scarcely displays that
development OF muscle which accustomed
to associate with English athletes. Leander Water
bury the spare man, IL the most robust OF the
party, and comes nearer in looks to Thames club
man than any other ofthe quintet. Notwithstanding
that they are well aware that from the lightnesa
OF their style OF rowing compared With that OF their
opponents, public Judgment Is decidedly adverse to
their prospects Of success, the Atalantas them
selves take by no means Responding view OF the
case.
AT AN INTERVIEW
which ] had with them yesterday they expressed
their entire confidence in being able to beat the
Londoners, whose style Of rowing they said, would
be no more highly estimated In America than their
own is here. they say themselves that, being small
men, it is best for them to pun the
LIGHT, QUICK STROKE
which they do pun, aud that 1t would never do for
them to alter into the longer sweep which is
fashionable on the Thames. The course, they say
suits them very well, though 1t is not straight az
those on which they have rowed VIGOROUSLY in
America.
THE THAMES BETWEEN pUTNEY AND MORTLAKE
is about two hundred yards wide at high water
For the first half mile OF the course 1t is straight
then there is bend to the left Which brings them
up to Hammersmith; again there is a bit OF straight
water, succeeded by a considerable curve They
have, in fact to cross the river twice in taking the
best course and Keeping the hest currents between
the Bridge at Putney ana the Ship at MortIake
They steer the boat wen, however, and are daily
making themselves more and more familiar with
tho details OF the course.
The Londoners say, as we all do that their style
is light, and that they win have TO 90 faster than
they have ever gone yet to be able to beat the four
against them. The fact is that they have only once
really rowed over the course, but that they did
q speed which, ii il did not particularly attract the
attention of beholders was at least satisfactory TO
themselves.
THE LoEDoNERs BELIEVE
that they VIII defeat the Atalants, and that | am
bound to say IL the general IMPRESSION subject to
reservation, such as the very common one that
arises from a belief that the Atalantas have never
yet shown their true form.
AS A SPORTING Event
the race has not yet excited much attention. just
now, with the Derby IN prospect, the sporting
classes not bringing their Judgment TO bear
on this Nearer the actual day OF the struggle,
which is yet more than three weeks OF, there will
doubtless be more betting on the event. most prob
ably Mt about to on the Londoners. At present
me sporting newspapers are even stronger than
the general press In expressing their doubts as
the ability of the Ataantas to compete successfully
with their rivals.
THE TRAINING PLACE
In selecting Iiammersmith their training
place the American four got pretty wen away
from the thick Of the Thames racing crait
which make Putney their headquarters But
there Is stil all the way up the river succession
OF boat clubs, boat houses and boat builders. The
ro Of the Nor On london s hTs ow GHr q c ahe
at Mr. Biircns bodybuilding establishment. In that
quarter the houses lining the banks as lar down
the suspension bridge which spans the river a
curious comminglng OF small anu Old cottages with
large though still old residences OF men OF some
means and position.
NORTH LONDON ROWING cLUg House
IL large new sheli-like building Of white brick
standing at the corner Of street which leads from
the river bank into the town, and al the opposite
corner Is la, sc public house, built in muC< the
same style. Looking up the river the eye rests on
green fields that lie the south side OF the stream
and on small oser island called Cheswck Eyot,
which Is situated mid-fiver. Looking downwards
the river IS checked by The suspension bridge
stretching across the Thames and supported by two
heavily built pillars Under this span the wide
sweep OF the river is visible as far down as the
London boat house at Pntney These are the train
ing grounds of the Atalantas They live in a quiet
street called Bath terrace, in house which would
are attended to by people who one would imagine
will be able to cook TO their satisfaction. Thcy
have complained however, of the bad weather TINT
has prevailed since their arrival and from which
they have suffered in slight degree.
THEIR MODE or TRAINING
Is simple enough. Turning out about ten in the
forenoon they get down to the l%at house. which is
within five minutes Of their lodgings and, chang
ing from blue sailor-like walking dress into rowing
costume OF magenta, they pass their boat down
from the upper noor OF the club house and gel
anoat, Waterbury attending, to 40 his exercise in
and a bali miles up 10 the Ship at Mortlake and
back again, making FIVE miles. This IL done at an
easy rate OF stroke or about thirty.six to the
minute aud with a distinctly marked hang on the
feathering. But IT, Is always observed that the
crew pun beautifully together. ana that their row.
ing, IN point OF regularity, is like that Of one
rather than four Returning from this work and
rehousng their boat brings them up 10 one
O'Clock, which is dinner hour A slesta
walk, or perhaps, game OF cards, occupies
the afternoon nntl i've, when they get again afoat
and take pull down perhaps to Putney q distance
Of nearly two miles, or along 10 Mortlakc, IA before
Up TO this time the London four have contented
themselves with taking strongpnlls overt the course
about i've O'Clock IN the evening and have not
commenced regular morning training as well. The
captain Is always down az pntney Interesting him
self ih looking after the boats and tackle OF the club
they viii very likely select the star and Garter "a
hotel overlooking the river, their training house
Mr. Gulston, hear Is native OF Wales, and belongs
to a family OF good position and ancient name IN
that prncipaty
THE RACE,
as at present arranged, will take place on Monday
the 10Th or June between four and i've In the ailcr-
noon, which will be about an hour before high
water and ~ will be rowed the usual course Of
four miles and three furlongs, from the bridge at
PutDel to nagboat m0ored opposite the ship no.
tel at Mortlakc.
THE HENLEY REGATTA,
winch taxes place on Thursday and Friday ne Doth