The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-14
The Present Condition of the Crews
for the Great Race.
Boats, Strokes, Captains
and Coaches.
HARVARD AND COLUMBIA
Columbia Challenges Harvard for
an Eight Oar Race.
THE MATCH M JADE.

The effect produced by the regatta of the centennial
year upon American rowing hus been to some extent
anomalous IL might reasonably have been supposed
that series OF such great aquatic would have
stimulated rowing all the country, and that this
year many new crews would havo rushed into the
arena But the present state of things is quito the
verse OF this. Instead OF the organization OF
clubs old have been dissolved instead Of any
reeatsas many old ones bayo pcen abandoned. The
famous college regatta at Saratoga that Tor
lhree years attracted such unprecedented inter-
est among all classes, and for three days in
The year at least changed tho most fashionable
summer resort into college compus, swarmng with
Rayy dressed and excited collegans, has become alto
gether matter OF history. There ID little probability
that 1t Will ever no repeated the successive defeats OF
some OF the participants has quenched the boating
ardor in those colleges which they represented while
the extravagant efforts that made have eniaiied
debt upon many Of the poorer clubs from which II
10 unlikely that they will be free Tho celebrated
amateur clubs, the Argonautas and Atalantas whose
long training bore such unworthy fruit in last years.
regatta, have been disbanded the Beavsrwycks, the
victors In tho great international race have prudeny
pro1ted by their great and forever the
oar and the hardy pioneer OF the West have ex
pressed no intention OF again entering tho lists IN
which their prowess asonishcd both their rivals and
themselves. With nothing to distract public attention
from 1t tho groat race between Harvard aud Yale on
the Springfield course ON the Goth of this month will
excite much interest," not only the Universities but
among all lovers OF the sport. The preparation Of
Harvard for the coming race commenced early in tho
ial. Last years. Captain william Bancroft, was at
once selected Having attended tho Centennial
regatta at Philadelphia and carefully studied
'he styles OF the English crews Mr. Ban
croft became convinced that for Q four.miie
race the rowing OF the English crews was much supe-
or to the American he has, therefore, endeavored to
train this years crew tar possible by the English
standard. His men feel great confidence In his judy
ment ana experience, and follow his directions with
the utmost enthusiasm. Indeed he regarded by his
srcw and the college generally with as much favor as
siher Dana or Loripg
THE TRAINING.
The training, which about the LIST oil Feb
'uary last, CONSISTED at first OF rowing daily on the
hydraulic rowing machines and a of four miles
!hree times week. Except tho dsuse OF all liquor and
tobacco and large of sleep there change
In their ordinary way Of living. They got into thor
zig about the LIST April and into their ouriggcr
Isl Of May, slncc when they been rowing about
eight milcs every day. Mcssrs. Watson and Lorng.
Of tho class OF 30, DIVIDE the duty Of coaching tho
crew.. One OF these gentlemen goes out with the
every day.
Inc crew Is made up OF four III the Freshman crew
II last year. three last years. University crew and
ono new man. AS will be by the table OF Weights
below the crew is unusually heavy. All are thick
chestcd and heavily built men OF about the same
height, and when in their boat suggest great power
and stay. The average age Of ths Is but little
over twenty years This feature is undoubtedly bad
omen for Harvard, for such young sustain with
difficulty the trials Of long training and the terrible
exertion Of a four mile