The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-08-01
LAuRELs FOR Gun BRAVE BOYS,
who Came on Conquerers I'm the
Aquatic sports Yesterday.


River Regatta of 1884, and in which seniors,
Juniors and lght-weights, singles, fours and
eiRhts, representing Washington, Baltimore,
Portsmouth, Norfolk, Philadelphia and New
Orleans, were to contest for banners, cups
and badges.
The crowd would not have been greater,
the betting heavier or the enthusiasm more
demonstrative had the wind, tide aud cur
rent been more favorable and the circum-
gaided as unfavorable, particularly as they
resulted in victory for the local oarsmen.
The representatives of FIVE cities were
confident aud eager to bet Mt the outset,
and the representatives of all but Philadel.
phia departed impecunious and downcast a
few hours later.
The tug Hartwell, carrying the referee,
the timekeepers and the press representa-.
tivcs, steamed down to the starting point
promptly at the appointed time, and al
though some of the starting posts were sub
merged, succeeded in assigning boys in
canoes to positions that designated the
starting line with sufficient accuracy.
At A o'clock exactly Mr.. Richard Cross,
the referee, shouted "Go!" and Smithson,
ofthc Potomacs, aud Perley, of the Ana
lostans started for
The Junior single Race.
Perley had the smooth water near the
Virginia shore and got the lead, increasing
IL to n full length before Smithson, who
also evaded the current, got in near Shore
AT the half mile the oarsmen were pulling
in splendid form at thirty-two stroke
each, with Smithson's superior endurance
beginning to tell.
At the three quarters Smithson increased
to thirty four and at the mile he passed
Perley after one of the prettiest contests
ever seen on the Potomac. Perley had
done his best and virtually gave up when
Smithson passed him and stopping finally
when Smithson was three lengths ahead.
The latter rowed over the rest Of the course
far in the lead, and finished in 1918
The Second Race
had been looked forward to as the event OF
the day, but with 1t the series of mishaps
began, and although there could be no
doubt of the justice of the result, it was
rendered unsatisfactory by fouls.
The Potomacs took water first In by the
Virginia shore, with Elizabeths second, in
the middle, and Columbia half a length be-
hind. Tho three crews started at forty
four stroke and were even before an eighth
of mile. Potomacs went to the head at
the quarter, with Columbias second, q
and finally passing them. 1t was when the
Potomacs were length ahead and Eliza
beths second that Columbia attempted to
cross to the Virginia water and fouled the
Elizabeths. The latter pushed the Column
bia boat away from their own and con-
tinued rowing. Columbia followed in
their wake and second foul occurred,
causing more serious delay and
IDjuring the Columbia Boat.
The Potomacs made good their advantage
and passed the half mile five lengths ahead
Of the Elizabeths, who were rapidly gain
ing nearly as long a lead upon the Column
bias, all the crews rowing at A. The Co
lumbias were not In the race after the Sec
and materially diminished the Potomac S
lead-the latter crossing the line in 9:31
and the Elizabeths in 10:11.
The Columbus claimed second place by
reason Of the FOULS but having been out Of
their course the referee decided against
them. This great victory for the Potomacs
carried with 1t the Post and Star cups, the
former being won the second time by this
club.
brought tho Columbus, Analostans and
Ariels, of Baltimore, out for the start, aud
the three got away we'll together. Colum.
bias having the toughest water followed tho
tactics pursued thro ughout the regatta and
headed for tho Virginia shore losing four
lengths by the roundabout course.
The Ariels had the Virginia shore and
secured slight lead with the Analostans
directly behind, and fouling them before the
mile had been reached.
The foul lasted several seconds and the
boats were hardly extricated before they
again collided and stopped while ColumbIas,
five lengths in the rear, began to catch up
passed tho stationary boats and was three
lengths ahead before the Analostans started
after them in earnest. The Ariels appsr-
emily badly ratified by being climbed Over
by the Analostan boat never recovered, and
the Columbus and Analostans closed vi
toward the finish in
A Desperate Race.
When within fifty yards of the finish the
boats were on even terms, when the Ana
lostans steered wildly for the middle of the
channel and Columbia went in and won il
1041, Analostans three seconds behind
| The Baltimore club was ten lengths DO.
hind.
The Fourth Race,
between four-oared gigs, representing thu
| Columbus, Pennsylvania and Norfolks
| was one of the most interesting OF tn
days events. At the word Pennsylvani,
| took water and went ahead in her smooth
channel by Virginia, Columbia battling
| against rough water in the centre at.
| thirty eight stroke and Norfolk taking sec
| ond place length behind Pennsylvania.
Columbia lost three lengths in steering
for smooth water, and Pennsylvania ant
| Norfolk steering perfectly and rowing lik
machinery, started nip and tuck at the hal
mile. At the mile the race continued be
tween these two, sometimes one half
L al. he al
became question of endurance, which wa
soon settled by Webb, of the Norfolks
dropping his oars and declaring that he hat
enough, TO the intense disgust Of his crew.
| Columbia then began to gain, havinI
pulled uniform 38-stroke all the wa.
through, and closed up on the Pennsyl
vanias, squirting splendidly and cutting IL
between Pennsylvania and the Virgins
shore. The boats were even fifty yard
from the finish, and the Pennsylvania cox
swain having a right to the Virginia water
deliberately forced the Columbus in amoni
the pleasure boats on the shore.
Both crews collided with the pleasure
boats, but the Pennsylvania were doing |
Intentionally, and easily extricated them
selves and passed the line in 1880.
| The Columbus, unequal to such finish
succumbed, and were still in among tn
pleasure-boats when Pennsylvania finished
The NoIfolks did not try to finish.
The Columbia and Potomac Light
| Weight FOurs
started at o'clock, Columbia having tn
best of the water, and taking the lead, Blu
losing it by striking canoo and losin
three or four strokes. Columbus kept II
shore, and the Potomacs crossed near to tn
District, maintaining a lead of nearl
three lengths, despite rough water.
The Columbias were unable to diminis