National Republican., 1880-05-20


Who offered tho odds to me
oh well for the pool-soler glib
Who took in my seven to thicoI
Brokcl Broke Broke
orbustcd. whatever It be.
The touch my dear grcenhacks
win never como back TO me.
Tho great hoGt race" was very unsatisfactory
one. The thousands of people who turned their
backs to the river as soon as the race was ended
and made their way back TO the city freely ex-
pressed their Disappointment at Courtncy's con-
duct. The estimate of 70 600 spectators made in
the account of the race in the extra
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN was probably too
low, MS competent judges agree that fully
10000 people witnessed the race. Every train and
boat coming 10 the city yesterday was loaded down
with visitors; Fully 10000 strangers were In the
city AS early ns noon people began to make their
way TO the river, In order TO be sure to gain eligible
places for observation. By O'Clock 1t was almost
impossible to obtain conveyance to take one to
the river. The street cars were packed full with
passengers riding on top aud the 'busscs employed
by enterprisng speculaorS for the occasion were IN
the same condition. In addition to this there was
q regular procession OF pedestrians on the thor
oughfares leading to the wharves along the river.
This exodus to the river bank continued for nearly
three hours. by tho ond OF that time BY far tho
greater part of the population OF the city and Its
suburbs was gathered at the river, together with
the large number Of visitors 10 the city attracted by
the race.
THE RIVER
presented one of the liveliest scenes imaginable.
Every sort of aquatic conveyance from Cap
tain Boy:on's lfe-saving dress to goodsaed coast
ing steamers was passed into service. by o'clock
the stands on the river front the whnrves nd other
eligible places were filled with spectators These
people had to sit for over four hours-some of them
In the broilng sum- but the animation on the river
kept everyone interested that but few complaints
were heard. From the aqueduct bridge TO the
long bridge on the District side there was scarcely
foot of space from which the race could be OBJ
served that was not occupied. Spectators had
erected stands at various points along the river TO
which, ger orally, the admission fec was fifty cents.
Yesterday however as there wasa rush for seats the
price of seats at soo Of the stands was raised as high
rs 81 so and 81 but still nj these cxorbitant rates
there were plenty OF people to purchase tickets:
At some of the Wharyes tie owners had erected
private stands ior the accommodation of their
families aud friends. Tho Virginia side OF the
river was. not so we'll patronized. There was q
good spriDkling of people on, Analostan island
who enjoyed the grateful shade of the trees and
the boat-race at the same time. The aqucduct
bridge probably the finest public place Of obserya-
tion, was well populated though precautions were
taken not to admit tco large crowd upon ii.
Many fears were, expressed before the Iace that
turcs, would break down with their load of hu-
manity but fortunately no accident occurred. All
Of the vessels in the riysr had col colors dying some
being most Glaboratply decorated. There was much
complaint at some points on the shore because the
big steamers persisted in dropping anchor right In
front of the best points of observation so as to cut
of the view or The course almost entirely
AS the hour for tho race approached, all eyes,
opcra.glaSscs and ield-glasses were enxiously
turned toward the boot-houses. Tho fact that the
ruco had beon postponed an hour was notgcnerally
known along the shores, and the delay to thcul
was uunccountablc. 1t was not long before the
referees boat - the Tug Samuel Gedney - was
sighted, and every movement of the vessel as it
busily steamed about over the course, attending TO
the prelminnrles of the race, was ntently watched
from the shores, When the first gun WAS fired at
8 O'clock, tho interest in tho scenes on the river
hnpo mn n q Ion doll
the second gun for the olrslneu TO come to tile
line not being irol for three quarters of on hour
THE oARsMEN.
HGplan shortly df6twari appeared in his trim
boating-suit of blue at the Analostan boat-house
His shell which had been carried down the feat
ahead of him was waiting for him, and tho 1.-the
oarsmnn was soon skimming along up the river
toward tho starting point. He was recognized at
once from the shores, and greeted with an onthu-
siasln That showed that the plucky Canadian had
thousands of friends in the crowd. Five minutes
later Courtney putont from the Potomac boat house
md was warmly welcomed. Tho race which result
ed SO ingloriously for tho Union Springs chnmpon.
began a few minutes after O'clock, and during
the half hour OFF duration the excitement along
tho banks was very high. The day was ono of the
best that "0ld Probs" could have provided for the
race. 1t was very hot during the afternoon and
on this account the postponement for one hour was
made.
Tho postponement reverted to the advantage OF
the oarsmen, for as the sun sank in the west the
atmosphere was cooled Tho water, which was at
slack iide, wNs in splendid condition, smooth as
CLASSY lake, with hardly break on its surfaco.
Everything was favorable to one Of the finest ex-
hibitions of rowing on record, but tho uopportune
sickness, or loss OF grit as many cali it, on
Courtncy's part brought disappointment to all.
with spirit and in excellent style. Courtney. who
fell behind at the start and appeared TO be making
no special effort did not pull oyer the full course
but turned three'cighths OF mile before reaching
the turning-buoy This gave many persons who
could not get full Wow OF tho course the impress
sion that Courtney had turned his buoy and was
81 N Mt fnNlfe A.
bets were made. Hanlan alter turning soon
overlook Tho listess Courtney. and, gained
mac Boat house, deserted tho course and d. rowea
in TO tho shore leaving, llGnlnn TO finish the race
ut his ease Courmey's abject surrender was
greeted from the shores with jecrs, Groans and
hawls of disgust, which were turned to yclls of
delight minute later when Hanlun Gded over
the line :and his victory wns announced by the
discharge of n gun Courtney's plea OF sickness
has had no effect in saving him from harsh crti.
Gism. Appended is detailed account Of the race
from the start to the finish.
PARTICULARS OF THR RACE.
Early in the afternoon Referee Blaikie Issued
circular stating that Ut the request Of both Mr..
Hanlan and Mr.. Courtney the race had boon po,t-
poned until $50 o'clock IN the afternoon on &C
count of tho severe haat,
Both men arrived at the starting point together,
when Referee Buikic announced that llanlan had
won the choice OF position aud his judge had
chosen The Virginia side; Tho men were then
placed IN position, their shells being hold by two
sailors stationed In bntteaus Mr. Wood was in
C0urtneys batteau and Mr.. Coulson IN Ilanlans
The referee then said, II shall ask you are YOU
ready ard at the expiration of three seconds will
give the word 'go.' Should either man mako
one false start win call you back but ii two are
made thon the offender will be held responsible
with all lho penalties prescribed The crowd on
the roiur0cs boat held their breath, anxiously cx-
pectant and the men having agreed to the rules
submitted Tor their guidance, promptly Rt ten min.
utes pnst the word was given and simulane-
ously tho gun on the stern belched forth Both men
caught the wato about the same time, Courtney
nanything, being a tr.ilG the quicker. Before the
boats had gone two lengths however, Hanlan went
ahead aud NJ Tie !st eighth led by two lengths
rowing nt the rats Of 81; Courtney, 2S. II was OBJ
served eyOn thus early IN the race that Courtney
was not rowing in good form aud was steering
wildly. At the third quarter OF the hrst mile HanAn
had Increased his lead to six lengths and was
rapidly widening tie distance between himself
Aud Courtney. The latter seemed unable to quicken
lS stroke aud was rowing in the most Indifferent
manner. lauan AZ the end Of the first mile rested
IL moment and wiped ohhis face, which movement
seemed rather unpoasanl 10 his competitor The
limo OF the first milo was Cl9H II was now
iurOgone conclusion that Courtney was unable
10 cope with the Canadian, and amer reach
ing the NYeelghts flag the former stopped ANA put
water on his head This Was the signal for deis-
i've cheers lfom the crowd, Huulan meanwhile
being ii iurlong IN advance. Al The second mile ho
WAS u good eighth OF u uile ahead, while Courtney
WAS growing weaker each moment, Judging from
TIE careless manner vi steering ana the manner