The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-18

The Boat Crews OF the United States
War Vessels Shenandoah and Congress
COntcsting for the Supremacy at the
Oar or VILE Franchc-Thc Boys Of
the Shenandoah Victorious.

OhE OM tAAAe FIAhCAc-lhc IbOyS OF
the Shcnn ndoah Victorious.
OPP VILE FRANcHE France May o. 1872
For long time back the Shenandoah has not
enlisted in any contest with her boats for the
reason that her racing crew has been broken ur
and dispersed on account Of the expiration OF the
time OF some OF its members. Since new mer
have been recruited from time to time II has been
the aim in great part to get together such OF them
as might be qualified to bear themselves well In
aquatic contest, should such an emergency arise
Much attention, however, had not been paid to the
subject until the Congress arrived in Europe when
after due interval, challenges were sent through
the fleet, among the rest to this vessel The Con-
gress had suffered defeat at the hands OF the
Plymouth on two occasions. As challenge had
been sent to the Shenandoah 1t essential to nc
cept 1t, and, accepting to prepare for it. Under
the coaching Of Lieutenant Very, who has pulled
in sharp races himself the crew OF the Shenandoah
was exercised until 1t was thought it would have
Vi fair chance Of victory even In a good struggle
Some hopes Of success were based on the time
made by the boat belonging to the Congress in the
race with the Plymouth at Toulon, and the crew
was coached to surpass 1t as much as possible. In
the meantime the Congress was not idle Her boat
was seen at evening creeping in and out of the
harbor and on still nights the noise OF the oars
could be heard distinctly, conveying to the news
that she was pulling very fast stroke. The Shen
andoahs cutter is Of the regular man-o-war build
not a good one by any means for speed-in length
2s feet inches, in beam feet with draught for
ward OF 14h inches and aft OF 20 inches, with her
crew In her.
THE CREW
The crew selected for the occasion was composed
OF the following named men, seated in the order
arranged
Forv side. Starboard Side.
Thomas Grimm bow. Charles Mcdonald.
James McQuade Edward Anderson.
Charles German. Thomas Leddy
John O'Nea Charles Kelly.
Alexander j. Stewart. George Lane.
Frank Upton. John Geary.
Patrick Conway James Reilly.
The coxswain was Charles G. Forrest, chief boat
boat to lend such counsel and assistance as might
be necessary. Mr.. Royal r. Ingersoll selected
az umpire, and to him was con1ded the stakes,
1,400 francs In all, exclusive OF side bets. The
cutter OF the Congress the same which COM
peted In the race with the Plymouth, but her d.
mansions were, nnhappy, not procured, although
sent for several times
THE COURSE
over which the race was to be pulled was three and
O half miles In extent, one and three quarter mile
and return, reaching from the lighthouse at Point
Mala along the western coast OF the harbor to the
bottom, the stakeboat being anchored abreast OF
the Brooklyn. The water was In desperately bad
order for fast Time being choppy and tumbled, the
wind blowing quite fresh. southwest by west, half
from the starting point, and the crew being
much Interested In race In which fig
ufed boat winch tney mad themselves
defeated arranged themselves along the forecaste
and along the side Of their ship, resembling ex-
actly, with their white caps, an army OF turbaned,
though not malignant, Turks.
THE RACE.
At twenty-three minutes past five the rival boats
got away, the start being In every way admirable.
and the Congress- boat took the lead at once by
about half aboat'sl length: when abreast the Shenan-
d0ah she increased the distance between herself
and antagonist 10 q full boats length, which abe
continued to hold steadily for a quarter OF a mile.
Both boats were pulling stroke OF nty to the min
were the only points TO be depended on to win the
race. When about seveneights OF a mile of the
course had been accomplished the Shenand6ahs
boat, relaxing nothing OF power or speed in Its
stroke, nor increasing either, closed the gap be-
tween IL and the head boat, and, moreover shot
ahead The Congress had not diminished the num-
Der OF strokes, but the pace had killed. as pace is
very sure TO do. The number OF strokes I'm the
boat was the same, but the pepper was
completely gone AS a result the Shenandoahs
aud three quarter mile In seventeen minutes,
rounding the stakeboat forty seconds ahead OF
their antagonists Nor had the OF this boat
up to this time exerted Its full power, So called
upon by Mr. Very to make assurance doubly sure
II spurted for about half mile through a rough
head-beat sea, losing an oar in the struggle
Geary's-which he replaced admirably, without
throwing any one out OF stroke but placing such
distance between the Shenandoah's boat and that
OF the Congress as to make TO make the race all
as the winning cutter tossed at the stakeboat IL
was found that the distance back to the winning
boat had been pulled In fifteen minutes exactly al
though seventeen were consumed in going out. At
i've O'Clock and fiityhve minutes the Shenandoah's
boat crossed the scene, winner OF the race and
purse In thirty-two minutes The Congress cutter
followed one minute end ten seconds later, coming
in rather fatigued,