Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-22
The October g;e~a.fa
WHY THE NATIONAL REGATTA COURSE WAS Sc.
LECTED Fee THE RACES

Why THE NATIONAL REGATTA COURSE WAS Sc
LECTED Fee THE RACES
WASHINGTON, August -, 1882
To the Editor OF THE EvESIxG STAR:
i regret to see the persistent efforts that are
being made by some parties u create sentiment
In favor OF having the races in the October re-
gatta r0wed through the arches OF the Aquei,lct
bridge. Paragraphs are constantly appearing in
the daily papers setting forth the desirlbility OF
having those races rowed over an up-ryer course
and the pressure upon the committee for q chanye
In this respect Is becoming stronger every day
Sach Change would no doubt be popular with
some, but respectfully submit that there are the
pest OF reasons why the committees decision
In selecting the " National Regatta Course the
coinlh.ttec was actuated by sound motives. This
course was deliberately selected in 1851 by the o-
1eers OF the National Association OF Amateur
Oarsmen for the annual regatt.. OF that year. AMI
concernel-conteStaDts. committee and corrSs
pondentS OF the press. who were here to renort
upon the races-to be the finest course In Amerl-
can waterS-
Being thus widely known and admired, IL was
the part OF wisdom for the Joint committee to
adopt IL, especially as it Is hoped that this years
local regatta Will expand next year into fun re-
gatta which shall be open 20 all Corners.
bus tntre Is another reason for tue selection Of
The National Regatta Course. viz: 1t Is the only
course that VII! admit OF 4 mile straight AWAY
race, absolutely clear and Tree from ali o3struc-
1t Is not necessary TIC recall the history of the
Doat racing between our local clubs, but IL may be
III tIds race and the
almost interminaole disputes which followed, was
The exception Perhaps II selecting n straight
course, the committee was not unmindful o. this
tendency, and resolved TO render such troubles IN
likely 20 occur IN the future. The alternate course
beginning VI river, which Is now being urged
must, !t Is admitted, end az point lust above the
Analostan boat house. TIE National Regatta
course also ends there: aud has therefore equal
claims In that respect. It's strong merits are q
clear, straight course, with bridge piers and
rocks TO avoid, and 10 point OF land TO round with
all The penis OF clash .: oars, and as result the
digging up OF tue nor! buried hatchet
lew spectators on the AGueducc bridge land
tney could not distinctly see the start and would
De entirely unable TO see the flnsh) and the five
thousand, perhaps, who would congregate on the
xharyes Of Georgetown, We're not so much in the
minds Oh the committee when they selected the
course, as was the permanent availability of the
national course, and tue comfort OF the nifty thou
eand or more spectators who will in time gather
70 see the annual races. The joint conrlittee
showed us sense OF the Importance OF correct de-
c1sion. although by adopting thi; course 1t rem
0ered one OF the boat houses entirely, aud another
partially, unavailable as points from which the
Faces could be viewed.
And last, but not least, the splendid prIZe for
tour-oared Shell crews, so generously offered by
INC EVENING STAR Company, must, under the con-
d1uons laid down by the donors. be rowed for over
0e Rational Regatta course. IL woultIbe inc1l-
venicEt for al parties TO have part OF the races
owe. Dne coarse, ed the rem inler over another
HE;fsxR OF TUE COMMITTEE.