The Portland daily press., 1877-07-11
AQUATIC.
Faulkner and Reagan Win the Double
Scull Race.

Faulkner and Reagan Win the Double
sculI Race.
BOSTON, July 10.-The third and last of the
series of races between Faulkner and Reagan
on one side and Landers and Davis on the
other came off on the Charles river this morn
ing, in the presence of 10000 spectators, 1t
was double-scull race, distance three miles,
$500 side.
At the word &C.," Faulkner and Reagan
shot ahead about six or eight feet, rowing 80
strokes to the minute, while Landers and Davis
started at 40. Before the quarter mile was
reached, Faulkner and Reagan showed half
length in advance, and at the half mile were
full length ahead, still rowing at 80. Landers
tons were not changed till the "sluice way"
mile up, was reached, when Faulkner and
Reagan increased their lead to length and
half. Davis, who war in the bow, stsered wild
for the stake, while Faulkner rowed directly
for it. Faulkner turned boat length ahead.
Landers and Davis were unable to decrease the
lead till about half a mile from home, when
they put on squirt and closed up on their
rivals. Faulkner and Reagan crossed the line
quarter OF length ahead, making the dis
lance in 70 minutes 81 seconds-the fastest
double-scull time on record.
DETAILS OF THE RACE
At half past 10 the referee, Mr.. Thacher
Goddard of the Union Boat Club, went over
the course in the steam tug Chapel and cleared
it of all boats, and at 1915 the men we're called
out. Davis and Landers were the first to set
their boat, and they were warmly greeted by
their friends on shore. Faulkner and Regain
soon followed, and the shouts of the crowd
showed them to be the favorites there as we'll
as IN the pools. The men came alongside the
referees boat and were given their positions,
Davis and Landers drew the inside next to the
wall, and Faulkner and Regain took the out
side.
1t was stipulated in the articles of agreeme MT
that each should turn separate boat there
fore there was no chance for foul, and all the
men mad to do was to pull straight course
from the start to the turn. The boats having
been got in line the word was given at 10. IS,
and the four men struck out. Faulkner and
Regan had slight advantage in the start, hay-
ing dipped their oars before the word was
fully, spoken. The advantage thus obtained
was held, and they Immediately went to work
to improve on it. For the first half mile there
was no open water between the boats, each
crew pulling steadily and endeavoring to hold
their own. Faulkner and Regain were pulling
3S minute stroke, and Davis and Landers
tribe quicker. The Faulkner and Regain stroke
was longer reach than that of Davis and Lam
ders, and their boat seemed to push ahead at
greater speed than their competitors The
difference, however, was slight, as both went
up the course at rapid pace. When at the
halfway house there was not quarter lengths
distance between the two boats, and each were
being propelled as if by clock work. The same
steady stroke was being kept up and neiSher
seemed to flag. On they went almost side by
side for the mile stake, but when dozen
lengths from it Faulkner and Regan spurted,
and put the stern of their boat at the stem Of
Davis and Landers's. After passing the mile
stake both boats changed their course and
headed for their respective turning boats.
Both had kept well in under the wall up to
this time, and neither pulled out until it be-
came necessary. As in all races the turn is an
objective point as an advantage is to be gained
In getting back under the wall. and before
reaching the stake boats both shells were sent
through the water as fast as their propelng
power would admit.
Faulkner and Regain put all their strength
to their oars and sent their boat length ahead
Of Davis and Landers, and when they reached
their boat there was two lengths open water
between the two crews. Faulkner and Regain
turned first and then struck out for the wall
DAVIS and Landers were quickly around their
boat, and they too pulled tor the same position
The advantage was one worth trying for and
both crews spurted for it, The lead which
Faulkner and Regain had obte med to the turn
was sufficient to give them the coveted ad-
vantage and Davis and Landers we're compell-
ed to take their water. But it was not obtain
ed without a struggle, for the race for it was
one OF the finest ever seen on the river. From
the mile and quarter stake to the pump the
men were SO evenly matched that they kept
within length OF each other, and then it was
only question of endurance which would
rowing well within themselves and were keep
ing up the same steady stroke. After passing
the pump Faulkner and Rsgan spurted in OF
der to shake off Davis and Landers, who, no
doubt, appeared to be uncomfortably near. By
this extra exertion they opened distance of
two lengths, but on settling down again the
gap was gradually closed by Davis and Ian
ders, who now took the outside in preference to
taking Faulkner and Regan's water, which
they had been doing for half mile. Then
came the struggle for the finish, and both crew
pulled their best, but it was evident that
Faulkner and Regain had the race 1t was not
to be an easy victory, however, for stroke after
stroke closed the gap between the boats, and
urged on by the cheers of the crowd the two
boats fairly jumped through the water. At
the finish the race was most exciting, Both
were pulling their best, and the distance was SO
slight that the crowd were in feverish anx iety
as to the result, and when the line was finally
crossed byeFaulkner and Regain half a length
In advance of their competitors the air resound-
ed with the shouts OF the friends of the victors.