National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-26
GALA DAY ON THE WATER.
THE POTOMAC AID lIllDsTll CONTEST
THE LHlIDsTlKs BEATEN 81 FORTY SECONDS
THE RACE AN UNSATISFACTORY ONE
FACTS IN REGARD TO THE COLLISION
Large Attendance The Tug Boats
Excitement Among Friends-Cheer.
ing for the Boys in Red.

The Potomac seldom, If ever, presented scent
of more life and animation than 1t did yesterday
Long before o'clock all the most desirable po
sitions for Witnessing the coming contest between
the Analostans and Potomacs were taken
Crowds thronged from the north, east and west
Groups of small boys hurried hither and thither
their excitement growing apace as they nearet
the river front, and in their anxiety to see all
soliciting "hoist" from q companion into som'
elevated position.
The placid bosom of the Potomac was dotted
with multitude of tugs, wineries, punts, skifs
canoes, barges and other craft, gaily decorated
with flags and pendants, while upon the wharves
on the boat-house balconies, on the schooners
sleeps and tug. boats, and, in short, every avail
able foot Of space along the river front, from
Easby's wharf to the Aqueduct bridge, wa!
lined with one continuous mass Of humanity
The bridge, too bristled with life, being crowded
to its utmost capacity.
At O'Clock the tug Gov. Curtin steamed ur
the river, having on board the referee, the judges
members OF the press, the crew Of the Nassau
club, Of New York, and the officers of both the
Analostan and Potomac clubs. The Gov. Cur.
tain was followed by the Katie, Potomac, Mary
Lewis, Katie Wise and the johnson Bros
freighted with the fashion and beauty of the city
and the river soon became a moving show oil
drapery and millinery. Old Vlrginia's hills,
with their bright autumnsl dress, never looked
more beautiful The tug boats putting and blow.
ing echoed and re-echoed from the wooded hills,
while the pale blue smoke left trailing behind
grew paler as it assembled, mingling gradually
with the haze of the autumn evening. The water
was clear and placid, and the bright colors of the
hillside reflected beautifully within Its depths.
Quite great deal Of meTrm en,t was caused IN
wa'er came down through the sluices like an
April shower.
but the gentlemen, not being possessed of these
useful articles, were forced 70 fee to the pilot
houses ana enginerooms to save their beavers
or bow, bearing the name OF their faTorites either
the Analostsns or Potomacs.
Arriving at white Rock" half an hour or
more was passed in getting the tugs into proper
position. Then, amid the cheers Of their friends,
the Potomac crew-Messrs. Coughln, stroke; Nc
Blair, No. 3; Randall, No. 2; and Truax, bow
stream. The ''blue boys"-Prescott, stroke; Gum
berland, No. 3; Burns, No. 2; and Brown, bow
followed soon after, and after short delay both
boats got into position. the Potomacs nearest the
Virginia shore, and about fifty yards south Of the
Analostans. For a moment all eyes were bent
1s ana
gave the signal, and Of both boats shot In beau
Iiful start.
Both crews were doing some magnificent pull
ing, when, unluckiIy, and before any one fully
realized the danger, the boats ran sfoul-the Po-
tomacs striking the Analostans just At the bow
IL, II.
seat This unfortunate occurrence caused halt,
of course, and Brown being asked what the mat
ter vas, replied that his seat had been knocked
over.
pulled back, after first touching shore to see to
what extent they were damaged by the collision,
A great deal Of dissatisfaction was expressed by
the friends Of the Analostans, and many won.
dered why they did not claim the race on the foul
sinee they were certainly entitled to the right Of
way, and they were obliged to veer around In
orGer to escape the rocks. 1t must be admitted
that both crews were, in measure, TO blame, but
the Potonacs should never have attempted to try
what it was evident they did-to cross the bow Of
Il cir opponents.
Anslostans pulled into line for second start, in
stead Of claiming the race by the foul. And this
would have undoubtedly been done had the "blue
boys" known the real nature of the damage their
in returning for the second start the boat did not
glide with its wonted smoothness but was in
Potomac oars struck Brown in he back which, t
from the strength of the blow, must have some
what disabled him. Under these disadvantages,
tersst in either crew, and besides, our views In
this regard are sustained by all disinterested
persons who witnessed the start, the second word
made though it could be seen that both crews
were somewhat disheartened by the mishap.
The excitement grew intense now, and all
rushed to the bow OF the tugs their gaze fixed In
tently upon the crews. The boys worked nobly,
and tor nearly half mile to the turn, the pull
ing was pretty evenly balanced. But soon the
Analostans began to lag, and when the Potomscs
reached the Three Sisters, they were nearly two
lengths ahead, and before reaching the bridge
were from atty to hundred yards ahead. The
Analostans here heightened upon their stroke,
and in consequence fell but little behind to the
end of the race. From the start the Potomacs
pulled the long, steady stroke which tells while
there seemed to be too much exertion on the part
Of the Analostans. Their stroke appeared rather
hurried, although we cannot but praise the work
done by the stroke oar, Mr.. Prescott.
When the two guns were fred to announce the
Potomacs victorious, o long and continued cheer
ing went up from the friends Of the 'red boys"
onds.