The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-25
THE COLLEGE boat RACE
Pennsylvania Crew Beating Coiumbia's Four
by One second Only.

PHILADELPHIA, June 4.-The race Is over
and the Pennsylvania boys are the vctors. 1t
was something Of n surprise. for Columbia had
been set down as sure to win. with the Univer-
sity crew second. and Princeton bringing up
the rear. Ellis Ward. who has had the home
crew under his direct supervision. has been
making them work hard up the river. out Of
sight OF the other crews. He has watched the
visitors sharply from his boat. got their
points," saw where they were weak. and im-
proved his own men accordingly.
The race was set down for O'Clock this after
noon. and long before that hour the banks Of
the Schuylkill we're lined with thousands Of
spectators. The early afternoon foreboded
rain. but as the time for the race drew near the
sun broke through the clouds The river was
calm and still There was not ripple.
The course was the national course.
one and half miles. The banks OF
the Schuylkill form natural grand stand. from
which Mt least thirty thousand people witnessed
the race from the start to the finish. On every
open spot on the hills. crags. and butfs that
tower over the bank at RQckland. on the bride
path that leads along under the cliffs, and on
the main drive just at the Laurel Hill pier the
Spectators gathered and the road beyond that
and on up to the railroad bridge at the falls,
was thronRed with eager watchers.
There was the usual delay in starting. and Il
was not until more thon half an hour past the
Princeton got the western shore and the college
crew the middle. with Columbia on the
eastern enJ SIDE Before that the G9ln996la men
judges boat at Farmount and been
Carried up 10 the Undine's upper boat
house. where their boats had previously been
conveyed. At 6 o'clock the college men sat on
n og at tho Falls steamboat landing with Ward,
and listened to his last words OF wisdom and
advice. The men Of all the crews were In good
spirits and condition. except McLaren. stroke Of
the Princeton, who was Just enough out Of
health not to Justify him in Withdrawing. hut
still Just enough TO make his presence trine
At 6 :36H Commodore Grant OF the Schuylkll
Navy. the referee. fired the pistol which started
the race. and Princeton took water first. The
start was good one. however. and the blue
blndes Of Columbia's oars splnshed at the ia
stant with the college men and the struggle be-
gan. For a few seconds the Princetons led /;
but the college four. bending to a thirty
Foot by foot the college men went to the front.
the Columbia four with a stroke Of Al to the
minute. dropping. boats length TO the rear
OF the Princeton's. who were pulling hard
and ragged stroke Of about &c. At Laurel I'LL
Pier the Pennsyl lvania boys led by three lengths.
and Columbia brought up the rear. Leaving
the Laurel Hill Wharf the positions were: Coi-
lego lending three lengths and apparently gain
ing. their stroke, 35 TO the. minute; Princeton
second 10y "a half length in advance Of
the Columbus. pulling about SO. but now and
again squirting little, while the Coumhias
We're moving third, pulling sharp and quick
CHANGED and the Columbias took second place.
. The race between the Pennsylvanians and
New Workers was now very close. and shouts
from the banks urged the crews on. Columbia
lessened the distance. and slowly. but surely.
crept up on the Philndelphians. Their bow
came up even with the stern OF the lead
ers and then Tapped IT, but do more than
that they were unable. 1t WIS splend d
race and the Philadelphia crew crossed the
line. leading Columbia half y length only.
Princeton was bad third. The time was :
Pennsylvania. 9:23A; Columbia. 9:24k; and
Princeton 9:33A.
In the evening the visitors were made the
guests OF the College Club at u supper. at which
the handsome challenge vase the gift OF Mr..
Child-. tue inter collegiate colors. and the indi-
vidual medals were presented TO the winners In
neat speech by Hampton l.. Carson. ESQ.