National Republican., 1881-08-04
THE POTOMAC BOAT CLUB.
Description of the New Boat.IIouse-His-
tory OF the Club.

The new boat-house of the Potomac
Boat Club will be formally opened this afternoon.
full description of this building, which Is second
to no boat house In the country, has already been
published In THE REPUBLICAN,, but n few facts in
reference to It, now that 1t iscompleed and ready
for occupancy, Will be of particular interest
at this time The building is situated at the foot
of High street, in Georgetown, and is sixty by
ninety y-three feet with tower on the southwest
corner sixty feet in height, from which q most
magnificent view OF the river can be obtained.
Entering, the ground aoor of course, contains the
boats of the club now some fifty In number, but
many of the members have not.yet brought their
boats in. Every convenience for the proper be.
stowal and ofthese bO0ts from the paper shell
Earl Dutlcrin," in which the champion Hanlan
rowed, now owned by Mr.. c. W. Bailey, to the long
end graceful ten -oared barge, is apparent At the
north end there are two starways leading to the
lockerroom, and atthe south there stairs lead.
ing to the tower while in the centre is q commo-
dious main stairway leading to the ladies' room,
the dancing hall, and the balcony.
TIE LoCKER-RooM
contains one hundred lockers, which are of ample
size, and are locked with patent combination
locks, each member having his own particular key.
This room is so arranged that portion can be par
titioned Off in the event of the PotomRcs having
visiting club guests. The ladies' paror is 81 by
81 feet, and Is handsomely furnished, as has here.
tofore been described. The dancing hall is 81 by
80 feet, and the walls aud ceiling are
handsomely frescoed The designs upon
the ceiling are most artistic. on the north Is an
excellent representation of the Potomac landing,
while at the south is charming sketch of a view
of the river from the window. The balcony Is "a
by co feet and capable of accommodating q large
number of fair guests.
HISTORY OF THE CLUB
The Potomac Boat Club was organized in 1869
with about twelve members, and Malcolm Seaton
was the first president Its first boat house was
mere shGuty, which was gradually enlarged as the
club grew in membership and prosperity, Finally
the old building could be patched up no longer,
and the present commodous and elegant
building was erected, OF its original mem
borshp about half arc still connected
with tho club. In the ladies' parlor Ii
hung picture of the crew that rowed In the old
x-oared gig the Adelaide in 1870 which COM
prised George Fox Colonel Frank Jones, Wilford
Mcleod, win Whcatley, Frank Miller, Ed Der
rick, and J. II, Gordon, coNswain. The member
ship has now increased to about one hundred, and
there are also about forty inactive and
twenty honorary members. The present
officers of the club are p, 4. Dodge, president; viii
Wheatley, vice president; ]. ID. Doyle, secretary
| George l. Smallwood, assistant secretary; Ed
Derrick, treasurer; Frank Miller, captain; s. f
Wheeler, first lioutenanti W, c. Mckinney, secont
lieutenant. The programme for
THE OPENING CEREMONIES
will consist Of probably four.oared race and I
sngle-scull race In the first Il picked crew viii
row-the crew which won the Richmond cup
aud in the latter probably r, w, Morgan, c, W
Bailey, and ], l., Cropley win contest. There vii
be vocal music by the Apollo Glee Club, under III,
leadership of DR.. t. $. Kimball, and then the forma
presentation of the boat. house TO the club will bI
made, AFTER which dancing will be INDUCED In Il
the music ofsehroeders orchestra, The executive
committee, into whose hands have been ntrustet
all the arrangements consists Of Mr., j. j. Hollis
ter, chairman Messrs. WIN. WheRtey, Frank NJ
Pearson, Mayhem Platter, and George /. smallwood