The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-27
PREPARING FOR THE RACE
The Crews Of Yale and Harvard Encsmped
on the Thaues River.

The Crews Of Yale and Harvard Esesmped
ON the Thswes River.
NEW LoNDoy,pune 26.-The bright GRIM
son colors OF Fair Harvard float proudly In the
breezs in charming spot on the historic
Thames river about four miles to the north
ward of this city Two miles further north the
dark blue flag OF Yale betrays the hostile camp
OF Harvard's ancient rival and waves back de-
nance. month ago the general opinion was
that in the annual eight cared shell race. to be
rowcd on Friday. four miles straghtaway. Har-
ward would win an easy victory. incline, how
ever. to tho opinion. for reasons to be given in
another despatch that the race will be great deal
closer than most persons expect. and that Yalc
may possibly prove dark horse. The contest
will be. unlike that OF last year. when Harvard
won atrial OF muscle. skill and endurance on the
part Of the two crews. for both are virtually
| rowing stroke which IL almost Identical in
general principles. In 1876 Harvard went back
| ten years in the art OF rowing and took up her
| old past stroke with the swing from the hips
and straight back quick recover, for which,
in old times. she was renowned. and
which for n long series Of years rendered her
invinciblc. but rs the old knights in armor went
own when gunpowder was invented. did
Harvard when better style OF rowing was in
| troduced. Her stroke, although impregnable
| in oldcn times with stationary sent, met With
! n disnsirous dcicnt when confronted with the
| English stroke so-callnd This stroke has lr,pn
| too often described 90 need special mention. II
| II merely an ou.growth of the sliding sent. Its
special features are It's creator length. the slow
| the logs and the whole body. thus relieving the
| arms. Defeat laugh: Harvard lesson, aud
! last year she returned 10 a stroke which in 1874
| and 1875. she had. with nearly all the other col
leee crews. adopted. and thus won glorious
Since H. II. Dana. Jr.. strokcd Harvard's six
! in 1874. the crimson has never waved over so
| good crew as this years eight, Seven were in
the Captain. in that OF '76. Four more date back
| their rowing experience TO the freshman crew
| OF 10. While none Of them are handsomely
| formed. their build betokens immense strength.
| Their broad backs and superb display Of muscle
| being noticeable. The crew is located hand
| somcly Mt Farmer Lambs. on the opposite side
| Of the river. and their distance from town gives
them desirable quietudc. The drive thither
| If II delightful one along the river banks.
through beautiful scenery. The crow express
| themselves ~ much pleased with their quar-
tiers. which Captain Bancroft snys are the finest
aud healthicst they ever occupied. They ar
rived several days after the Yale crew. their
practice ~ To last Saturday having bean con-
lined To the usual course on the Charles river.
Mr.. {. Watson IL their coach He is veteran
Harvard oarsman. and, having steam launch
To follow them. his coaching has boon OF mark
eel benefit in rcmedying individual faults very
difficult TO b. seen by the Captain. especially
when his back IL always toward them. The
crew have a caterer. and a regular bill Of fare
for the week is LAID out for them. The diet
consists Of meat, vegetables, and fruit. with
and spirits are eschewed. but otherwise the diet
is generous one. The crew will row in IS
foot Waters paper boat. out OF the same mould
ns lale's although about tilirtypounds heavier.
weighing now, after its soaking. very nearly
300 pounds: Last years bout Is also here. in
case of accidents to the new ono.
The crew reports the water ms rough ever
since their arrival. with little opportunity TO try
the course. II Is said thal the crew have gone
over on time in q minutes IS seconds. and
that Yale has thus far not been able 70 do ~
81 miuufps 1 eesDnl HurNNrt's In lAIT
"a minut.s sc seconds. This last slow tim.
was ducto head winds and rough water how
The great cause Of anxiety with Harvard
men lqst now Is the result Of an accident 10
VIM. II. schwartz. who rowed all along number
six on the same ride with Bancroft. Schwartz
was undoubtedly. next To Bancroft the best
man In the boat, A few days ago signs Of an
hand developing ycster'lay into n dangerous
condition. In its present state It would b.
simply madness for him to attempt to row. He
IL u line. plucky fellow aud feels very sore over
the matter. rs in fact do all the crew.
This morning there was stiff breeze from
the northwest, which covered the river with
white caps The Harvard crew werc out with
Littaner. the substitute in No =; vice Brigham.
transferred to Schwartzs seat. watched them
carefully Tor an hour. 9ni must give them
credit for Il very. paInstaking and highly I'm,
ished stroke. In tho rough water the boat rolled
n little. There WIS some splashing. the result
Of too low icathering In the smooth water,
however. the eaten was almost perfect. the or
hnde taxing thc water WIN precision NJ exactly
the right time az the "nd ~ H." cover, ami thus
giving n me Enlrli. Inc crew ifWtIrr niENer
than they did last year. but not rs high rs Yale
did. and they m ght Increase the elevation
trho on lumpv water. On the coNswnin u good
deal depends. and Allen handles the tiller ropes
after two years experience in skiliul manner.
Although Schwartz will undoubtedly prove a
great loss. yet Lit,Auer. with his past practice
and to.dAy'- to got into the swing oi the crew.
will lie rs no means the worst man in the bout.
Individual members Il the crew have slight
faults it il true. such a. that one in the waist
does not curry mis- oar far enough back. and an
other Inns tendency to clip his stroke but
With united catch, swing, ana finish of such eX-
c'llencs 70 would Ice lnNidl ions Ia caVil much.
The Harvard crew consider the course a good
one barring lis roughnrss. II begins n'ur
| Gales ferry on the west side and ends at Win
/ throp's Point. a half mile up from the steam
ferry. 20 the east shore. AZ this point Agrand
stand has been erected. and train OF platform
/ cars uff'r ling a good view Is To- he run along
the west bank. Several large steamers ar" eN-
prrtrd from New York and other cities. 50 the
/ prospects for large attendance ARE good. A.
| yet more crimson and blu" colorS are to be seen
! in shop windows than on the street. but tho
grand rush Will of course be- ON the morning OF
/ the race.
| II was definitely decided this morning that
| schwartz would be- unable 10 row. and thr crew
| for tn" race has been constituted as follows.
| there being two other changes in position from
| those hitherto reported. Tn" crew average u
! tr!flr over 100 pounds, and a fraction over II