The New York herald., 1879-07-10
First Day of the Great Aquatic
Event at Saratoga.
TRIAL HEATS DECIDED.
The Pair-Oared and Sm-Oared Races
Prove Fine Struggles.
CORNELL WALKS OVER
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HRRALp.]

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]
SARATOGA, N. Y. June 9, 1872
With the first peep of day all Saratoga, or at least
that portion of the people interested in the regatta
was up and looking out at the weather. which was
COOL clear and perfect The storm had evidently run
its race during the two previous days and had now
given way to clear sky and as gentle
a breeze oarsmen wished for. Before
six O'Clock IN the morning the word had
come down from the lake that the water was as
smooth as the sky was clear. As consequence all
Saratoga beamed at breakfast with the prospect OF
an early for the lake and good days sport on
the water. Rumors of course still flying about
town in regard to this that the other scuer and
the report that Bowiesby the Shoe-wae-cae metes
ill., was still persisted in. Inquiry established
the fact that Bowlesby i'll yesterday.
but that the would probably row. Breakfast
over, the first question asked on all sides was, to
look after the absentees. The Friendship. Lachine
and Watkins anxiously looked for last
evening, and Rogers. the sculer from the Atalanta
Club failed to put in appearance up to midnight
Late last night, however. the Watkins crew arrived
tired from their journey. and after receiving hearty
welcome retired at to their quarters. The La
chine men reached Saratoga early this morning.
but Rogers and Yates wers looked for in vain.
With the clearing away of the storm and the COM
at the boat houses and in town had risen proper
tionately and the road to Moons not alone gay
with brilliant procession of elegant carriages but
merry with the voices of good humored crowd.
Every kind of an equpage was bowling along toward
the start from the wonderfully constructed "buck
board free and easy" to the stylish Victoria Ian
dau. On the roadside were almost innumerable
booths from which dispensed to the thirsty
and confding pedestrian alleged cool beer. dyspep-
tic pies and doughnuts.
AT THE LAKE.
The prettly shaded house at the north end of the
lake we'll filed by visitors by eight o'clock. and
thereafter there continuous arrivals from town.
Lying around on the grass in the cool shade of the
trees were many of the oarsmen, who had come up
from the boat houses at the foot of the hill
to chat with their friends to get away from the
inquistive interviewer rural questioner. Prom
inent among the contestants the lava were the
light. but tough looking Dauntless crew. from New
York, who discussing the chances of their
for which they were warm favorites. Near them
were grouped some Of the st. Johns crew, from New
Orleans. the Cornell and we'll known faces from
the New York Athletic Club, whose colored posters.
by the way, announcing their fall games, are
Rdorning most of the dead walls, post
and rail fences and public halls about Saratoga.
The water the early despatch sad las sn Doth
as U mirror, ana the use OIL tuat well worn express
sion delighted the heart every contestant at the
lake. Every preparation had been made at every
boat house that advantage might be taken of the
pleasant weather, and prompt answer be made tc
the referee calls.
When Mr.. William B. Curtis. the referee, took his
place in the judges boat the wind was hardly ruff
ding the water, and blowing up the lake in the
direction of the finish. thus favoring the oarsmer
and promising some little assistance.
The stands were not generously patronized only
few hundred people being seated by haf-past nine
O'clock. giving the impression at the first glance
that q small crowd only present to witness the
contests. A look up along the shore. however. dis
closed better attendance of carriages and pedestri
ans who dotted the west banks thckly and appeared
at every favorable point of observaton for dis
tance down from the finish. The main audience is
not looked for till the finals rowed. when
comes the tug of war.
PAmoARED RACE.
At ten O'Clock promptly the referees steamer
reached the starting point and that gen nteman called
out the men for the pair-oared race which brought
the boats of the Zephyr (Clegg and McGregorj the
Olympic tG. j. and X. L. Gormanj and the Wah-
wah-sum clubs III. Smith and +. Haven). The second
or Cragg crew OF the Zephyr Club arrived just two
late to participate. although they were aioat an
hour later and padded about the course. All three
caught the water well together. Tue wah-wsh-s
settled at once to a good steady stroke well pulled
through. which in the first hundred yards gave
them length clear water on the Olympics, who.
rowing in better form than the Zephyrs. led them
two lengths. at the quarter the Zephyrs
took strange freak and evidently endeavored to
down the press boat. They took sudden turn and
rowed clear across the course. coming up behind
the press boat which little in the of the
other crews. After taking u few more strokes
they stopped rowing and fell out OF the race. The
other crews in the meantime had been hold
ing well together and rowing steady
the bow OF the Olympics seemed to be a
little distressed and lost his form somewhat. III,
bow of the Wuhwah-suins swung back too far ano
rOwed light the finish OF his stroke. and after
getting little tired rowed raggedly. As the crews
reached the point half mile from the fin
ish. the Wah-wah-aums still had little
more than half length the advantage, but
here they got too near the Shore and ran on
Before they could get away again the Olympics had
got two lengths clear water them. This virtual
ended the race, but the Wah wah-sums did not give
mp. but made very good spurt. The oiort was toe
much for then and tirng they lost still by bad
steering. lhe oiympics crossed the line winners by
four lengths and halt. Tme 9n Ms. Time OF
second boat, On. 81 as.
CORNELL WALKS OVER.
At thirty-one minutes past ten o'clock the Cornell
crew were started alone for their walk There
had been great deal said by Cornell men aud their
friends because some of the other colleges did no
enter the regatta meet them. Rumors had beer
zfoat about towu that they had made some fast time
and that. AS they had no crew against them. they
would row against time and made as good q recorc
~ possible Although IL was walk ther,
was some interest felt to see what they could do
Before they had rowed quarter of mile it wa
plainly evident from their rowing that though they
seemed to work hard they would not make good
show. useless 10 critclSc the individual
of the men. 1t IL enough to say that the rowing of
the extremely bad. There time
either In the swing OF the bodies or in the catch
The time made by the Cornell crew was ON. los
They had strong breeze blowing with them. no tina
the water at least twenty seconds faster thai
IL would have been had there been no wind ut all
This time does not compare very favoraby with tina
made by the college crews at iadelphia. June "a
The winning time for the University OF Pennsylvanii
9m l9s. but they had strong wind then
Cornell had with them to-day. In other words
the University OF pennsylvana rowing as she did OF
June "a. would have rowed this course to-day. had
she been In Cornell place, in at least Sm Abs. II
in even less time. The Atlanta out for
practice pull when the Cornell boat started
Heading down HIe lake. they rowed the course at tn
same time, keeping ahead Of the Cornell boys al
the way and with apparent ease They did not seen
10 be doing much more than padding. although
they were putting some power into their strokes
rHR COLLEGE sINGLEs
At two minutes past eleven o'clock the Cornell
boat was started for the walk in the colleg
single, Goddard. OF Harvard, not being able to b
there account of death in his family Levin
started at slow 32 to the minute, and helt
"A. he A.taI Mt had. l.sH h.ID n