The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-10
MAlDEA's ADVENTURE.
The Olympic Regatta Yesterday-Larse Cath.
erinss from all Quarters-Exciting Races,
Much Enjoyment, and Plenty OF Rain-The
Winning Crews-Presentation Of Prizes, nc,

The excursions over the Richmond and
Allegheny railroad yesterday to convey
pleasure-seekers 10 Maiden's Adventure to
witness the regatta OF the Olympic Club
doubtless resulted In gratifying success,
financially, 10 the railroad company and
Club, while 1t afforded a day OF recreation
and enjoyment to large majority OF those
who were present from Richmond as well
as TO the hundreds that came from along
the western portion OF the road and the
surrounding country. 1t is true that
in all large gatherings Of this character there
are always TO be found many who 60 with
the expectation OF finding everything as
they themselves desire, and unless 1t is so
they are prepared to condemn all who have
any hand in these efforts to cater 10 their
enjoyment, but who unfortunately fail in
some trifling particular and consequently
have TO hear themselves censured, in most
cases undeservedly. What II In place OF
"grand stand from which 10 witness the
races there was pile OF railr0ad-ti6s shaded
and sheted by branches Of trees! What
il the "grand pavilion" was on the
top OF a high hill, and could only
be reached by climbing to 1t up
the muddy and slippery hillside? What II
there were no pleasant walks in the vicinity
Of the station, but everywhere was mud
and everything was muddy? All this
should have made no difference, for were
not such OF the races as occurred while no
rain was falling as fully enjoyed from seats
on the railroad ties, or even on The wet
grass, or Standing? Were not the plea
sures Of the dance equally as great on top
OF the bill (after climbing thiiher) as they
would have been below? Could the muddy
walks have been anything else after such
IL oil dnr ri ha Hn
But enough. We say again that ouy the
chronic sorebeads were dissatisfied, but the
majority took things as they were and made
the most OF them.
The two early trains from Richmond took
between three and four hundred eXcur-
sionists. including large number OF ladies,
while about $50 more availed themselves OF
The later train, which, though advertised
for 2. NJ, did not leave the station on
Eighth street until ten minutes TO
O'Clock. When this last train reached
Maiden's Adventure the sports were at
their height. The pavilion on the hill
was crowded with large ihrong, who were
gaily dsporting themselves in the merry
dance to the inspiring strains OF music from
Voelker's band. The glaSs-ball shooting
and quot pitching also had their attractions.
but The features OF the day were the friend
ly aquatic contests between three crews OF
the Olympic Boat Club, OF this city, which
were witnessed by majority OF the people
present. Professional boat.rowing being a
novelty in this section, many persons
went mainly for the purpose OF seeing
regular boat.race, and while those Of ester
day were not between crews OF rival clubs,
and could not therefore create any grelt
degree OF enthusiasm on the part OF the
inVpstpn
sufficient interest and were rowed with
enough vim and vigor to give one good
idea OF what boat-racing is and to whet
ones appetite for more.
AS stated, the races were between three
Of the Olympic crews, who, while affording
an opportunity to all to see them in their
boating costume Join In friendly contests,
at the same time made this the occasion for
selecting a picked crew for the coming
State regatta.
The distance rowed in each race was one
mile straight away from the starting point
TO the finish.
The first race was between Crews Nos.
and 2, and was won by the latter, beating
Crew No. | by five lengths. Time, 1881. Ii
| Is but right, however, to state that No.
labored under the disadvantage OF having
to row with new oars which they had never
handled before, and that there was some de-
feet in them which told greatly against the
rowers using them.
The second race was between Crew No.
2, who won the first race, and crew No. B.
In this contest also the No. . boys were
again successful, winning the race by one
length. Time, minutes.
The third and last race, which came of
at $50 p. NJ, was between Crews Nos. l and
Il vpac Unu hv Creu M 1 hy sOnp and a
bali lengths. Time not taken. This race
was rowed from first TO last In one OF the
heaviest rain.stOrms ever witnessed. Both
crews stood 10 their work like heroes and
displayed admirable pluck.
At the conclusion Of the races prizes
were presented 10 the successful crews as
follows
The first prize-siver individual cups
won by Crew No. 9. composed as follows {:
II. II. Smith, stroke; e. NJ. Ragand, No.
3; c. Il. Sands, No. 9; w. w. Scott, bow !;
j. L. TaliaferrO, coXswain. The prizes
were delivei ed by Maior Robert Stiles in a
happy speech.
The second prize-silver individual
badges-was won by Crew No. |, composed
as follows: i. ID. Williams, stroke; A. S.
Petticolas, No. 3; T.. p. Voolfolk, No. . !;
A. l.. Blair. bow; G. p. IIawes, cOXswain.
The prizes were delivered by Captain NJ. L..
Spotswood in very appropriate terms.
The judges IN all the races were MeSsrs.
l.. Joynes, w. II. Talbot, and j. c. Lamb.
Starter, r. a. Cary. Referee, Mr.. George
Faulkner, Of Boston, who is the Club
trainer.
Crew No. 3-composed OF J. G. Fry,
stroke; L. Rawlings, No. 3; f. &. Raw
lings, No. .; w. A. Crenshaw, bow; and
! l. nj II m u
well he proud OF the day. They had had less
practice than either OF the other crews, but
displayed great courage and endurance, and
but for bad steering in their first race would
almost certainly have beaten the second
crew (who won by only q tength), which
would have insured them one OF the prizes.
Their No. . (Nr. +. G.. Rawlings) deserves
especial mention, he having rowed both
races (the last In pitIess rain) with his
hand covered with blsters, and also with
what is known among oarsmeD as fright
full "raw.''
Mr. f. =. Voolfolk also deserves credit
able mention. He was "picked up" on
| the grounds, without previous preparation
or warning, and substituted for Mr.. ii. X.
Bayne. who was unfortunately left by the
| morning tram.
The Club speak in high terms Of praise OF
their trainer, Mr.. Faulkner, with whom
they seemed TO be well pleased, and for
whom they express only golden opinions.
| The returning excursioDists did not leave
Maiden's Adventure until after the heavy
rain which fell between 6 and o'clock, and
did not reach this city until 9:15 O'Clock,
having been detained about FIVE miles and q
half from Richmond by wash-out under
cuIyert, which, it was feared, had weakened
the track, but an examination proved that