The New York herald., 1873-10-08
TIE PHILADELPHIA REGATTA.
Boat Racing ON the SchuylkilI
River.
The Friendship Crew Beat the Analostans and
the Argonautas the Nassaus-Courtenay'
Boat Cut and Hacked Malicious
ly-Miserable Conduct of
the Philadelphians.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 7, 1878.
The condition OF the water OF the Schuylkill and
the threatening aspect OF the weather was such
this morning that it was feared that the regatta,
much to the disappointment of many persons in
terested in aquatic sports. would be postponed.
Long before noon signs OF breaking sky and
clearing weather began to show themselves. BY
twelve O'Clock the clouds passed out at intervals,
but the wind vas strong and cold All around the
beats and boat houses there was busy stir. The
accident 20 Courtenay's boat, which had been cut
and hacked in the most malicious manner during
the night was the subject OF universal comment
This act OF vandalism was condemned in a man
ner which showed plainly the feeling with which
the bastard act was regarded. The yesper Club,
whose guest Courtenay was, were wild with indig-
nation over the matter. About hal-past one
O'Clock II was decided that the umpire, Mr.. James
Watson should go over the course and see whether
the water was in condition for racing. Accord
ingly, and as soon as practicable trio left the
Undine boat house and proceeded over the whole
course. The water somewhat lumpy and the
wind was blowing very fresh. There was a pros
pect, however, that the wind would somewhat sub
side In the afternoon, and it was therefore deter
mined that the fouroared trial heats should be
run, the first race to take place at hafpast four
O'Clock. Shortly after four the tug Fraley left
for the starting point. After q short trip up
the liver, with colo wind blowing, the
Fraey arrived at her destination The boats
and boats crews who were to contest, consisting
of the Analostan crew, OF Washington; the Friend
ship, OF New York; the Vesper the Quaker City
and Crescent, OF Philadelphia; the Nassau, OF New
York. and the Argonauta, of Bergen Point N. j.,
were all on hand IL was arranged that three trial
heats, distance mile and hall, should be rowed
to-day, the winners OF each dash to row final
tO-nl q W IL wou ha do
cared the victor. About five O'Clock the scene
about the Falls bridge a lively one The
crews were busy on shore. The sun shin
ing beautifully, and the water was comparatively
smooth. The Analostans were first to the starting
point, and had the east Shore
FIRST HEAT
The crews to contest in the first heat were the
Analostans, of Washington and the Friendships, of
New York. The following are the crews and their
weights The Observation-Disclosures A. Brown. bow
140 lbs. A. L. Prescott, No. 2 las lbs. T. H. Up
perman, No. 8, 1856 lbs, and H. NJ. Gurley, stroke,
$50 lbs. The Frendshps-J- L. McCahill. bow, l35
lbs. M. Robinson, No. 2, $50 lbs w. T. Hurley
No. g. 142 lbs. W. II. Hughes, stroke, l46 lbs. At
ten minutes after five both crews got away in ele-
giant style, the Friendship getting decidedly the
advantage OF the start, with rapid stroke.
The Friendship won the heat in ON. ASS.
THE SECOND HEAT,
in which the three Philadelphia clubs, the Vespers
the Quaker City and the Crescents, were brought
together, promised to prove OF much interest, but
turned out otherwise. The contestants were at
their stakeb0ats sharp on time. From the manner
in which the stakeboats were mooreu 1T appeared
from the judges boat that the crew on the eastern
shore was at u disadvantage, the others being fully
half boats length in advance. When the word
the eastern shore, evidently not ready, as
tney hesitated Tor couple OIL seconds alter the
Crescents started of, pulling rapid Stroke, while
the yespeIs were evidently endeavoring to get
the hang OF their stroke before settling down TO
their work. The Quakers and the Crescents had
not rowed more than two furlongs before foul re-
suited. These boats had the middle OF the
and the Crescents, IN endeavoring to cross over
into the Quakers' water fouled with the atter's
boat. At the time the lou! occurred the Vespers
were nearly on a line with the Others ana the pros
poets of good race were fair. For time the
boats struggled TO free themselves. At time
they nearly succeeded in cutting loose but Just at
this juncture the referee called out to all the boats
to come back. At the time the call was made the
vespers had fair lead and had iairly settled down
to their work. number OF gentlemen on the tug
called out to the Vespers to ''cOme back y while
an equal number called out to them to s'go on.n
For crew to determine which was right was
almost impossible, as they could not distinguish
the voice OF the umpire from the others; so they
continued on their course to the end. The umpire
declared them dlstanced ordered the Quaker City
crew to row over the course, and decided u loul
against the Crescents
TEE THIRD HEAT
was between the Nassaus OF New YORK, and the
Argonautas OF Bergen Point For long time each
OF these crews has been anxious 10 measure the
others strength Mt the oar. The Nassau crew was
composed of Frank q. Brown, bow; Walker, No. 2;
Montgomery, No. 8, and Oliver Johnson stroke.
Walter Man, No. 2; stephenson, No. 3, and Eldred,
stroke. Night was fast falling when the
boats came to the starting point. The NaSsaus had
the eastern shore and the Argonautas the centre
OF the river When the word ''Go' was given both
boats got away. the Nassaus catching water first.
The start was a good one, and regrets were freely
expressed that there was not more light so as TO
distinguish more accurately the working Of the
men. As nearly as could be Judged the Nassaus
were pulling the more rapid stroke OF the two but
EldredS steady stroke was telling to advantage.
Before quarter % OF "a mule was rowed the ;Argo-
were evidently resolved to hold it. Johnson worked
hard and well to catch up, and Eldred too, put on
the beef,' and not only held the lead he had but
made the gap wider.
Before hall the course rowed over the Ber-
gen Point boys had made breach OF fully ten
boats lengths between them and the New YorSers.
Stil the Nassaus were pulling plucRy stern chase
on Peters Island the Nassaus made spurt and
lessened the distance between bhem. Both boats
were too near the goal ior the rear boat TO
get up, unless some unforeseen accident occurred.
After hard struggle, IN which the Nassaus were
defeated, the Argonautas crossed the line
vtctors. making the mile and half in SIN. 1888,
The Nassaus came in about three boats lengths
behind
BEGGARLy SHOWING.
Brilliant were many OF the contests to-day, the
regatta iseli can hardly be regarded in the light
OF q success. From national association, compre-
hendng different clubs, meagre representation
of twenty or so, even regarding them the most
admirable which discriminating Judgment could
have possibly selected, must necessarily fail to
crown our waters as national organization
should do, and must prove proportionatey made
quate to place before the people in a proper light
the interest OF our country in aquatic sports. The
people, for the most part unskilled n the graceful
handling OF an oar, draw their deductions more
from numbers than from any individual excellence
In contest limited to few, ana at the close OF
the days work we are not surprised that many
went back to their city homes dissatisfied.
The management OF the whole AGAR has been
highly censurable throughout, and distant clubs,
while receiving no welcome whatever have been
thrown upon the resources or
AN EXCEEDINGLY INDIFFERENT HOSPITALITY.
This morning many OF the doors OF local clubs
were locked and che members could nowhere be
ound. The whereabouts OF the Commodore were
az indefinite as " they had been located somewhere
AMID the inaccessible regions OF the North Pole,
and their oarsmen. reporters and visitors had TO
make the best OF 1t and gain their Information in
the most roundabout methods imaginable. one
club that the writer can designate, alter sending
word concerning the hour OF It's arrival found no