The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-29
THE KENNEDY.DRlsCOLL RACE.
A Close and Exciting Contest.

The rowing match between John A.Kennedy
| of Portland and Daniel D. Driscoll of Lowell,
for purse of $400-$200 on each side-occurred
in the harbor last night. Kennedy is twenty
four years old, 5 feet inches in height, and
weighs 1877 pounds. Driscoll is twenty-five
years old, feet high, and weighs 1877 pounds.
The race promised much interest as Driscell
has made considerable reputation in boating
circles and has won many races. Kennedy
had no record but was known by boating men
in this city to have great power and skill with
the oar, and consequently strong hopes were
entertained by his friends that he might win.
despite the formidable record of Driscol,
The race was arranged for Tuesday last but
was postponed to Wednesday on account of
rough water, and again to yesterday for the
same cause. The time set yesterday was be-
tween $50 and 6 p. m. Soon after 8 o'clock
the crowds began to assemble on the wharves
and shipping in the harbor, while the water
was thoroughly dotted with small boats, from
the light, arrowy she'll scarcely showing
above the surface, to the high sided and lum-
bering dory in which the curious fisherman
came from his schooner to witness the struggle
near at hand The spectators were destined to
encounter long and dreary delay. The water
was little rongh early in the afternoon but
was becoming smoother hourly, so that no
haste was made in getting ready. When final
ly the referees tug boat came upon the scene
at about 30 everybody became eager. Kenne-
dy was soon seen shooting out from the Union
boat house ready for the contest, but Driscoll
did not appear. He was sent for, but before
he came the captain of the tug discovered that
he was about out of water and must go into
dock for more. Why he did not make this dis
covery earlier does not appear. However, the
anxious crowd on the boat took the matter as
philosophicahy as possible. Kennedy was
ordered back to his boat house and the tug
went its way after water. On its return Dris-
coll was found on the ground-or rather water
and Kennedy soon after appeared. The
scene was now quite picturesque 1t was after
o'clock, darkness had set in. but brilliant
moon threw its pale glow over the water, the
light craft of every kind floating around the
crowded wharves, and the shipping, whose rig
ging was thickly festooned with human crea-
lures. The barbor was we'll filled with coas-
already set their signal lights As the moment
for starting approached the contestants stripped
off their woe.en shirts, appearing in the regu-
lation buff, and, looking fresh and hardy, took
their positions, Kennedy being nearest the
wharf. The course lay from Union wharf to
the stake boats off the lower Victoria wharf,
distance of one mile. The start was fine oue
the men getting off well together. Drscoll
soon drew slightly ahead, and held the lead un-
til reaching the stake boat Kennedy was for
tunate in making his turn somewhat quicker
than Driscoll and started on the return about
boat-length ahead of his competitor. Helm
creased this advantage steadily and when
about quarter of a mile from the stake boat
crossed Driscolrs bows, thus taking the outside
water. Off the Grand Trunk wharf Drjscoll
had crept up nearly alongside, and, from this
point, the race was one Of the most exciting
and dramatic which ever &C CURED in our har-
Dor. The spectators, on account of the dark
ness, were unable to distinguish the contestants
as the boats re manned nearly side by side, each
gaining by turns The excitement grew wild,
men cheering their favorites and the tug boats
shrilly whistllng. As they neared Union
squirt and swept rapidly ahead of his compet
tor, crossing the line about two leugths in adj
vance. There were few moments of intense
eagerness to learn which was victor, and when
it became known that Kennedy was successful,
hearty shouts went up for the Portland cham
pion from boats, shipping and wharves. The
time was fourteen minutes and thirty-five sec
onds, which is a remarkably short time in which
to row two miles.
The referee was William Logue of Portland.
The judges at the stake boat were DR.. Arthur
Bird and Mr.. John Gooding for Kennedy, and
A. 7. Stewart senior, and Mr. Thomas Paine
for Driscoll. On the referees boat Mr.. M.
Davis acted as judge in behalf of Kennedy,
while Mr.. A. T. Stewart Jr., represented Dris.
coll.
In thu evening large and excited crowd as
sembled in and about the United States Hotel
where the referee and judges werein session.
Complaint was made by Driscoll of foul in
turning the stalk boat, because the boats were
not far enough apart; also that Kennedy was
coached by friends in shells. The referee
decided all the points against the claimant and
gave the race to Kennedy to the general salts
faction of spectators of the contest. 1t was
fair and square race and we'll earned victory.
The time is the best ever made 10 our harbor