The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-27
Yesterdays Eight Dared Shell Race
on the Connecticut.
HARVARD THE WINNERS
The Defeated Crew Not
DiShOnOred.
TIM E, GIN. 37s.

Coiumbias pulled plucky race must everywhere be
admitted Every man OF her eight threw his whole
soul into the contest, and although her flag trails IN
The dust must be attributed, to lack OF honest,
conscientious effort, but rather to tho overwhcm-
Ing superiority OF the Harvards In q four-miie
straight away muscle and endurance, training
and long practice in pulling together must tell In
these essentials Columbia lamentably deficient
Her opponents have had all tho benefits accrung from
extended training and practice in rowing as
IN eight, whc the Columbus wcre CON-
paratively fresh in this respect, having
never rowed together as a crew until Thursday last.
Besides this they failed to receive their boat until Fri
day, and mad not been the course on 'time' I'M
III within twenty tour hours OF the Independent
Dt questions OF mere physical superiority these things
OF telling effect upon crew pted against prac-
Used rivals Coumba's captain Is one Of
the best amateur oarsmen in America, as
well as ono OF the best coaches, but
neither his personal skill with the his expert
snce in handling men could fairly be expected to ac-
complish much in the limited time before him.
For these reasons, which have but briefly rccited
the friends OF Columbia must extend their charity.
Tho boys tho Empire State did their best uphold
Its honor They pulled gallant to the very last
stroke and lest it by scarce three cnghspretty
close, sharp work tor four-mile race, but by
thirteen seconds Tho friends OF the Harvards assert
that their favorite pulled inside Of themselves and
could nave lowered the time materially. This is prob
ably true, for 1t noticeable that toward the close
tho Harvard stroke dropped to thiriy-,hrce, having
commenced at thirylve and held at thirty -iour
the greater part OF the cousre.
UNPLEASANT WEATHER.
The day was dark and cherries, with lowering skies
and muggy. disagrceable atmosphere, d.spiriting
the extreme. Whatever slight enthusiasm may have
been manifested early in the forenoon disappeared
that fell toward had discouragng effect that
was everywhere apparent In the hotel Hobbies and
pool rooms small knots gathered and discussed the
probabilities OF tho and the further probabilities
OF 1t being rowed in peltng rain storm.
SPECULATION
The inactivity in tho pool rooms notceab bio last
night and but one or two sales recorded Harvard
beng tho favorte. This morning similar indiier-
encc prevailed on the part of buyers and the pool
talked themselves hoarse in vain efforts to sell
little sixtecn-dollar nooIsl0 to in favor OF the Cam
bridge crew, apd with even greater odds.
NOT MANY STRANGERS
The early trans brought in fair loads OF visitors
onlv but later in the day there was ar apparent i'm
provement in their numbers, but to that extent
that had been prophesied and that reasonably mi,
have been expected Rumors In circulation in the
surrounding country to the effect that post
ponement had been ordered may have had
something to do with checking the attendance,
and the appearance OF the SKIES certainly have
gwen an air OF truth to the rumors Apprehensions
OF still breeze were, fortunately, not realized. The
wind blew steadily from tho southward during the
early part Of the day, and II was feared that II it
creased in velocity the result would be roughncss in
the vicinity OF Pecowsic at least that would seriously
Affect the tme
BEFORE THE CONTEST
Columbias crew kept TO their quarters during the
day, resting for the struggle before them, while
Harvards INDUCED in no practice other than short
spurt about ten O'Clock, net far enough to fatigue
thcm but only Just sullc ut as preparation
for the afternoon. They fell into easy, effective
stroke, that was gratifying 10 few OF Their hackers
congregated in the vicinity and encouraging the
struggle close at hand.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEEING.
The arrangements Tor the spectators excellent.
a mi Mat cd NIL v lana
thousand persons, and transportation afforded by
numerous excursion trains which lett tho Springfield
depot often they coull DO filed and halted di-
recty at the stand. The steamer River Belle s,anch,
fast craft, was provided for the press the committed
10 $50 persons. Her capacity greater, but the
cct was to render her light, under contract by
epvenod the scene. The judges boat, the e. II.
Dexter, stern-wheelcr from Hartford; tho
Yoles' pretty launch and host OF
SAIL boats and minor crafts that dotted the river in
every direction clear along the coast from the start
the nnish and all oil which were well filled. Spccta-
tors who preferred terra TRINA found abundant
room along tho four miles stretching down.
ward TO Longmeadow, though there was no point
81 vantage that covered a good, clear view OF moro
than mile or So The height oil the banks, however,
gave a slight advantage at several points. All along
Inc Springfield shore every place afording view was
Ihrongcd; the bridges, with their commanding abut.
mcnts beng sites IN special demand.
GETTING READY.
Four O'Clock witnessed u temporary burst OF sun
shine, succeeded soon aiterward with the usual dull
leaden skies. but, happily, unaccompanied by rain
the surface was no more than prclty rpplcd HALF
past four the hour fixed for starting. 1t
was sharp five when tho Columbus launched
their shell, and few minutes aiterward
they camo sweeping out into position with easy
stroke, followed fve minutes aitcrward by the Har-
Yards from their quarters further up stream. Both
crews were cheercd us they snot out into the river,
aud the ladies manifested their enthusiasm IN tho
feminine way with waving handserche's and para.
Bos showing the coors OF their respective lavorites.
THE RAgE
Att few minutes pastlvc O'CLOCK the two drew
presented
widely oissmilar appearance they their boats.
The Columbia men very ragged looking owing
hard aud trained, and one could easily
sec met they oyo,N Were an GREY mat had not
other hand, were the most magnificent Of that
ever saw in an eight. They were Immensely muscu-
and, Deng evenly matched IN height, they looked like
so many brothers Columbia won the toss and took
the western side oil the river long delay then ensucd
from tho fact that Bancroft imagined that bis
stakcboat was too far up stream. The mistake
occurred from there being gentle curve IN the river
NJ this point, and as the Harvard boat not point
Ing directly down stream II seemed though tho
stcrns OF the boats we're uncvcnly placed. Iney werc
not however, and by the time the matter settled
quarter Of an hour had elapsed AT precisely 5h. 22m
los tho word ''Go was gwen. Both crews caught the
together and without any splnshng away
down the course. Harvard began with 80 strokes
10 the minute Columbia rowing 80. AT once
commenced splendid struggle Tor the lead Tho
Harvard pulled vigorously, but with long,
SLOW stroke. Tho Columbus, on the other hand rowcd
quickly and nervously sIashing their oars INTO the
It's effects by sending their boat half length TO the
front. This lead they maintained Tor half
mile. AS they approached the old BRIDGE
Harvard, reaching out with longer stroke, slowly
crept up, coliared her opponents and then forged
ahead Bo'h crews were pulling very cooly, and, win
the exception Of an splash from the Column
bia boat the form was fairly good At the end Of TIE
hrst mile the nose OF Coumhia's shell came quite
up to the Harvard stroke ON the first quarter
oil the second mile the two most danger
Gus proximity, harvard cdang over toward tho west
ern shore and encroaching upon Columbia's water.
"Harvardl'' twice sang out tho referee, and Tor
moment people held their breath, expecting a foul
Harvard pulled away again, however, and then, reach
ing out and Increasing the length OF their stroke very
slightly. drew easily away from the other boat and
placed clear water between them.
All this time both crews had carefully kept in the
middle OF the stream so as 10 avoid dead water ana
reap what advantage there DO derived from
what a correspondent last yoar denoninatcd tiace-
tousy, IL Is supposedly 1.-THE mighty current OF tho
Connecticut There Is really but very little current:
just enough to prevent dead water in the channel Up