The New York herald., 1872-03-04
AMERICAN SEANEN ABROAG
Boat Crews Of the United States Steamers Va
bash and Plymouth on Their Muscle.
Another American Boat Race or villefrancheIs
The Men of the Plymouth Victorious
Hard Work in Dirty Weather
Other Races Arranged.
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP SHENANDOAH. +
OFF XILLEFRANCHE France, Feb. IL l872

UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP SHENANDOAH
OFF VILLEFRANCHE France, Feb. l3, 1872,
II to possess supremacy signifies s0methin@
richly misunderstanding reaped by toll and in3
dustry-and If to keep that title through application
and training deserves commendation then tho
barge belonging to the United States steamship Piy3
mouth merits these enviable distinctions. Tho
racing barge belonging to this vessel formerly
owned by the Guerriere. and is the same one which
defeated the Saco and the Shenandoah at Spezzta,t
and won the sweepstakes at Marseiles over The
Richmond and other war ships, now some timd
since. Crowned with 80 many victorious wrcaths,l
she was bequeathed by the Guerrtere to the Ply
mouth, and so far the symbols OF Victory have des
scended with the bequest. Not very long ago sne
vanquished the whale boat OF the Juniata-by lonqd
odds the finest pulled race OF the winning
in Inn. 2Os., by some eight seconds-dis1ance one
mile and seven-elghths heavy sea running an
the time. Tie whale boat pulled but twelve oars tot
the barge's fourteen bur this lact rebounds to the
credit OF the Juniaa. Indeed, 1t is much TO be reS
GREETED that the particulars OF this contest were nOE
preserved, for it was splendid and exciting race
one long to be remembered. But to-day to defeat
the first race beat OF the fiagshipto worst ner in
the conflict by he alarming ana overwhelming
odds OF forty-seven seconds and that, too In the
presence OF the whole sluadron-why the audaciry
is unparalleled!
THE wABAsH'S BARGE
be 1t remembered, Is the same boat which formerly
belonged to the Colorado, and which performed
prodigles in the English Channel. Later she fell
heir to the Sabine, and at Cherbourg defeated the
fastest boats of the combined English and French
fleets. She, roo, then shows blue blood IN the
direct line OF racing descent; and, though me san-
gulierons apparatus may nave Admitted some Ha soxa
stimuants may restore the original INT IN all itE
cerulean richness.
between the TWO boats originated IN the usual way
and as ali competition begins-vlz by some one
thinking tnat he mas something beJler tan any
else. Who was the particularly opinionated indi-j
vdual on this occasion does nor appear; but races
advancing through the regular symptoms TO 1tSl
height and decline, was inaugurated 10 come of at
three p. M. to-day. Inc MaDash's barge pulls
fourteen oars Is SO feet inches IN length, 6l feeti
beam; draught, with crew, 20 inches forward. "a
inches aft. The names OF her crew are as lOll0w:-
CREW OF THE WABASH
Henry Neson coXswam; Francis Draper, James
Shanley, Edward Greasy, George Anderson, Fred
erick Scotsman, John Clarke, Michael Dlneef, bow;
Richard Ford, Garrett Fleming Thomas Perry
The crew was trained and coached by Midshipman
Sumner q. Paine OF the Wabash.
The Plymoutn's barge tlate the Guerriere's) ID In
length 81 feet in; beam. ieet H.; dramght, Win
Of her crew are as follow -
CREW OF THE PLYMOUTH.
Sar0oarG-Henry Mahony, stroke; herman Witte,
William Ford, Charles Winters, bow.
Port-1homas Aoneyborn, stroke: James Kelly,
Thomas Devine William Mcintosh, William Lewls,i
Thomas b. Fields, Robert Coney, bow. !
The coxswain Is James Wylle, who is admirably
adapted to his post. This crew was coacned and
trained by Royal k lngerson, Master, United States
Navy, attached to the riymoath. Tue umpire umpire
States Navy, attached 10 the Wacnusett.
THE RACE
The distance to be pulled was abou. two land
miles, from separate DuOys, ending at cOmmOn
stakeboat; stakes l.5o0i. side, making purse OF
30oof. The rival boats were towed TO Their slartingl
spectlve ships and were placed in position at 3h4
GIN. 30s. lhe weather was as wretched as could PEI
sharply, and quite swell was felt throughout the
whole harbor. Yne sea told on the time, but not on
the pace for the stroke throughout the race wa9
terrific. Al exactly 3h. Sun. 30s the boats got away
with clever, fair start. At the commencement thd
Wabash's barge had the bad fortune to unsnip Onq
oar and break another, and notwithstanding these
accidents neld her place for about minute, Dug
steadily all along the course from Point Maa TO the
bottom Of the harbor. The real difference was I'M
the boats, for both crews pulled about the same
number OF strokes; indeed at one time the DargeS3
counted carefully by the watch, were driving hfty
two strokes TO tae minute, and at no time eil below
fOrtyeight. Mere flesh and blood, some years ago.
never would have been believed capable OF reaching
this pace, at least holding it Tor any length o.
time, but here was the evidence OF ones Owr
senses, and the fact remains established. Tne enf
thuslasm should nave been dampened somewhat by
the weather, but It was not, and when 1t win croI
ont, despite this Influence, tt may be regarded anq
accepted as genuine. The crews cheered as ali
crews VIII cheer, no matter who Is ahead, Tor thG
recognition OF hOnes effort is electrical The whsi
ties oil the steam launches screeched and snricke1
ahlicting the alter the manner Of all disagree
able sounds. The boats were not so very dl5Sanq
but the driving rain the view much thai
1t could not be determined from the ship ior few
certeJ that the game cock and ensign-the teld
graphic emblem OF victory TO the PymOuth-snouls
be elevated at the bow Of her launch II her boat wal
anead, so that so far the silence on board Of he|
was profound, and conjecture more than usualy
n, ne writer mad nsa gs 10 ,e s
at the almost Imperceptible specks IN thf
distant waterscape, wnen Lieutenant Reite1
who was in an attitude or intense d9
votlon-on his knees, IN lact-wlth glass appa
renly glued TO his right eye, suddenly burst into
aposir0Dhe to the whole planetary system, couple
with appeals 10 various 0tner powers, includn
| Jove hiDlselI, in the manner anu form following
that is to say-.sBy Jupiter our boats ahead" A
admiration so solemn as this could not pe vac
lated, and so IL proved; for, as the boats move Int
tained It's advantage TO the finish, where II t0sse
at 3h. 22m. $685., winner OF the race ana purs
ANOTHER RACE IN PROSPECTIVE.
The Wabasn's boat came along, very bad se'
ond at 3h 23n. 37s.-iorty-seyen seconds benin
! the winner. Flushed with victory the wlnnl0
! barge pulled through the squadron and tossed an
cneered at every snip. The challenge was answere
! by the BROOKLYN, which sent boat alongside n
Plymouth 10 arrange the terms or q race 10 come
at an early day. ne DrooKlyns barge has deicate
the whaleboal OF the Shenandoah and Is undouo
edy very flne boat. but her ability to defeat tn
OF the Plymouth Is more than questionable. NO,
! CASUALTIES SICKNESS, DEATH.
For the Information OF the friends OF the deceasf
1t would, perhaps be as well TO state that on re
ruary 3, OF thcreaDouts Edward Parker, quart
gunner on board oi the Wabash, died of crysipcla
ana OH the 10tn George Bailey aged nineteen yeal
an ordinary seaman on the same snip, was kill
! by fail from the maintopsail yard arm Wny
! engaged in iurDg sail. Both bodies were ou,lq
IN the little cemetery AT Vilieiranche. the cnapla
of the Wabash oIiciating on the OCCASIONS.
| Ths Is the last. or nearly inc last, uay vi u
carnival. Few OF the travellers nave lone ION 70 Kon1
as Is customary; but all amusemen,s VIII De greaa
curtalled as the Lcnten seasen draws uRii. AZ
morrow. indeed. Is ASH Wen wednesday So oiareweAl
, the carnival Ior another year.