The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-30
SARATOGA REGATTA.
Williams College Working Nobly
to Secure the Prize.
THIS YEARS UNIVERSITY CREW.

WILLTAMsTOwN, May 20, 1874
II one college more than another in the list of
institutions that in the past have sent and are
now preparing to send. representative crews to
compete In the great university regatta deserves
especial mention for such efforts that college Is
Williams. In the face OF obstacles that to the
majority would appear insurmountable, without
stream OF water worthy OF tine name to practice
upOn, and, worse than all encountering opposition
rom professors supposed to be in favor OF athletic
sports generally, her students nave founded
regular boating system, with clubs, annual
races. and men who aspire to deeds OF aquatic
prowess equal to those colleges that boast OF un-
usual facilities and traditions wherein to instruct
the under graduates in the manly pastime of
rowing. Just to whom Williams is indebted for
the initial work OF starting boating in ner midst Is
not clear, though there is but little doubt that
few prominent members OF the class OF 1858, whose
known fondness for physical exercise has become
TRADITIONAL entitled to the credit OF the great
innovation and receive 1t rom the oldest and best
informed oars OF the present year. Yet there was
such trouble about the Introduction of the
pastime, and so much alleged by the faculty
Of the incompatibiliry between athletic exercises
and intellectual pursuits the controversy ended
In the premature death OF the newly awakened in
terest With the exception OF three or Jour spas
m0dic revvals OF the most unhealthy character,
the dignity Of Williams was not degraded nor it's
intellectual purity again contaminated by the
boating question until the class OF I'll was fully
installed, when a handful OF athletic Spirits pos.
Bessed OF common sense, and disregard.
ing the cry that aquatic fame was the
harbnger OF lazness, and that the path
to prestige, as an oarsman, did invart-
ably conduct only to the neglect OF studies,
revived the almost forgotten and buried boating
finn anh do, yala
Harvard are there more enthusiastic supporters
OF rowing than the 136 students that make up the
Williams navy.
BOATING WELL ESTABLISHED
Time and patience were required to properly
start and equip the new club, but the work
was greatly FASTENED by bold challenge received
from the Polytechnic students Of Troy, who desired
TO pleasantly test the superiority OF the oarsmen
OF the two institutions, and Williams, with that
backbone her students have ever since possessed,
accepted the challenge and at once went into
training for the contest set down to take place
the Hudson Faithfully the Williams crew worked
with the view to victory, and the condition of the
six oars was looked upon satisfactory; but their
skill was not then to be put to the test, as the
polytechnic crew disbanded ten days before the
date OF the contest and the race was never pulled.
Though a little disheartened by this unexpected
turn OF affairs, the vital step had been taken and
the difficulties in first hitting a crew been sur
mounted, and the College was FULLY awakened
to the pleasures to be derived from the
sport, not to say anything regarding
the beneficial effects upon their constitution in the
development OF physical strength.
Before the close Of that years. studies rowing
was a settled institution on the tiny Hoosic. and
the club had arranged for it's growth and useful
ness In marktng out the following seasons work.
1t was then determined to inaugurate class races
In 1872, and it was done, aud In addition thereto
II was resolved that Williams should no longer
be asked for in the future intercollegiate
races without satisfactory response. Early
In the spring term of that year these
events HAD earnest attention. The initial class
contests were decided and the University SIX sent
decsye r cd 1ne o. Inc
Six contestants, beating veteran Yale and stalwart
Bowdoin. That crew was made up with II. I.
6chal, bow; F. w. Saunders, Jesse P. Warden,
David s. Williams, Fred Johnson, and john
Gunster. stroke; the latter Sophomore, and then
That experience proved OF incalcniable benefit,
and nerved the younger members OF the crew and
exertion, and resolve in the next annual reunion
TO don much better and become 'ioemeh worthy OF
WILLIAMS ROWING COURSE.
Thus found Williams and her boating men and
evening or two since in this picturesque spot
sinuous hooslc are FOLDED between high noun.
tains that make them all invisible until you get
serin Hopkins Sai saddle ba Anthony Gra ay
lasting skies, which even in these early mornings
and nights are OF pale sapphire blue; but about
ley there is carpet Of the softest verdure. The
streets are robed with the vivid foliage OF
dering ereezes ripple the wheat fields and
At the eastern end Of the village, and just within
sight Of the miserable zone horsen Troy aud Bos-
ton road, and on the edge Of the factory pond,
ward and eastward runs the Ho0slc River. such q
course 1t is not more than eighty 1eet wide at
any part. and there is not straight stretch one
fourth OF o mile along its whole length, which is
but mile. Last season 1t dried up and compelled
sne on the Hudson, but this year the dam has
been raised and the water is deep enough Tor
their practice barge, which delights the ambitious
THIS YEARS UNIVERSITY CREW.
At the commencement OF the present term the
college crew who viii journey to Saratoga and
cndeavor TO send the royal purple OF Williams to
with the importance OF the preliminary but vital
step. In making the selection there was kept Ill
do it well. Besides determination, pluck and
Wsn n,sr n 4d
all his experience to bear, and, at last under well
acceptedSrules, the selections were made. seven
men, two substitutes besides himself who viii
strive to maintain the honor OF their Alma Mater
These men, as saw them at supper at the Man
SION House, and afterward IN their practice barge
on the HoOsic, stripped to the waist, fine ply
steal specimens, quick and active, and possessing
the enthusiasm necessary TO make formidable
crew. Although their positions are not fully de.
termined upon, or rather all Of them are not,
give them in the places in which they have sat in
the barge, and from which the Hnal crew win be
made up
Bop-Harry A. Barker, 10, OF Burlington, Vt.
age, 20; height, It. IN ill.,; weight last winter,
1917 lbs. ; weight to-day, 154 lbs.
Also Boto-Benjamin Norton, 10, Of Plattsburg,
N. Y; age, Is; height 1t. IN; weight last win
ter, 1855 lbs.; weight to-day, 15l lbs.
Fort BOU-Marshali z. Washburn, Ut, or East
Boston, Mass. age, 10; height, IT, u In; weight
last winter. !61 lbs; weight today, l54}a lbs.
Also Port B0ar--NortOn, as above.
Starooard Watst--Andrew s. Reyes VI, OF Ben
nington Vt; age, 19; height, #. 81 in; weight
last winter, loo lbs: weight to-day, 1919 lbs
Also StdrbOdrd WaiSt.-Charles Gilbert, '76, OF
Wilton, Conn.,; age, 10: height, feet 1oh tnches
weight last winter, 172 lbs; weight to-day, 1921