The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-07
THE REGATTA YESTERDAY.
Bayou St. John Thronged with
r. People.
Seven Thousand Present.
The Pelicans Victorious.

The Pelicans Victorious.
Although, comparatively speaking, the
Aquatic sport of rowing is new here, it has
met with such hearty reception, there can be
no doubt but what it will henceforth be one
Of our institutions. If anything was needed
to evidence this fact, the outpouring of oul
best citizens yesterday to witness the several
contests offered by the st. John Rowing
Club, on their third annual regatta, would
amply prove it.
Early in the afternoon car after car, laden
to their fullest capacity with the beauty and
elite of our city, left Canal street bound for
the Bayou St John, the scene Of the sports.
The weather was somewhat warmer than we
have had since spring set in, and it would ap-
pear May was DOMINIC her brightest attire in
honor Of the day. The sun rays came down
with directness and vigor which was not a
little discouraging to ambitious rowers with
short wind.
Long before the appointed hour, o'clock,
the banks of the bayou were thronged with
expectant visitors, and the view from the
bridge was one to excite the interest and
pleasure of any beholder.
There were fully seven thousand present.
The clubhouse, Respondent with its taste
full decorations, stood out against the rich
green Of the background in bold relief, and
the futtering of the parti-oolored flags then
displayed coupled with the swaying of the
crowd, completed the exciting picture.
The club house Of the st. Johns, as is
we'll known, is neat and artistic piece of
architecture, and well adapted for the uses
for which it was built. It was yesterday fes-
TONED with heavy evergreen decorations,
which were rendered more conspicuous by
thu bright colors of hundred of Chinese Ian
terms which were to do duty after sunset.
When the preparations for the first race
were completed the whole front of the club
house presented one varieeated art study of
loneliness and fashion. Dark eyed brunettes,
in their excitement of anticipation, futtered
their fans with nervous tremulousness,
while their blonde companions, in an abiding
faith in their several favorites, wagered
whole cargoes of gloves with their attending
gallants
The First Race.
After line had been extended across the
bayou, the crowd became more compact, as
all were on the qui vice for the approaching
sport, and were watching for the start. This
contest was in single scull outraged boats
distance one mile, in heats, best two in three
and the championship of the club the honor.
The entries were: Messrs r. G. Muagrove,
Robert S. Day, R. 81. Mitchell and B. Ire
moulet, and the race was to be rowed in the
two boats Witch and Fairy. Two contestants
were to row in heat and the winners of q
heat to row in the third and deciding heat.
First Heat.-Messrs. Musgrove and Day in
the Witch and Fairy, respectively rowed out
to the starting point. At 4:21 P. NJ the word
was gwen. Musgrove took water first, getting
somewhat Of an advantage, Day being little
slow in getting off; Musgrove let out with all
he knew how and in forty-fve stroke, led
Day to the bridge Q full length, although Day
was pulling fair, long, sweeping stroke. |
After passing the bridge, however, those on
the bank saw that there were bellows to mend |
IN the Witch, as Day showed by his nervous |
mo6oa that he had been somewhat over
trained, and was then beaten man.
In the long reach Musgrove continued to |
increase his lead, and when the half-mile |
buoys were near, Day; by injudicious steering
drew in too close to the bank, his oar striking |
The reeds, he upset. Musgrove was now on
his way home, which he reached winner of
he heat in 1854.
During this contest, as in those following, a
ong string Of carriages and horsemen fol-
owed the boats to the buoys, adding much to
he excitement of the scene
Second Heat-This was for the same dis
ance as the other, Messrs. R. r. Mitchell and
B. Tremoulet being the competitors. Mitch
IL led at the start, rowing in good style, and
It the bridge opened up two lengths. Ire
noulet, by bad steering, touched the abut-
nent of the bridge, causing him to lose some
distance; but Mitchell, who was confident,
owed steadily on. On turning the buoys
ditchell was well in hand, while his opponent
vas evidently pushed for wind; and by good
urn on his part, and poor one by Tremou-
ct, five lengths of daylight showed between.
Coming home Mitchell waited for his fol-
over and. under the string. played with his
ictim and came in victor by half length,
q 9:423.
Third Health order to give Messrs. Mus
rove and Mitchell little rest, the deciding
leat was postponed until after the pair-oared
ace had taken place. After that event was
nded, Musgrove and Mitchell drew up under
be string and the word was given. This was
0 decide the championship of the club, and
10Th were nerved up for the contest.
At the start. both rowed thirty-eight
troke to the minute, and Musgrove put on
purt and drew away two lengths. Mitchell
7as not in the same style as when he rowed
be second heat, and showed by his strug-
ling that he was of. Musgrove kept steadily
q with neat twenty-seven stroke, and, after
ounding the stake, made for the clubhouse.
nd landed winner of the heat, race and [
in 1857, Mitchell laboring ten
sngths behind
Second Race.
This was to be one of the events of the day,
strong pair had been selected from both