Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-09-10
THE REGATTA TODAY.
A Series OF Interestins Races.

@SDSAAhA
The third annual Potomac river regatta is in
progress over the lower Potomac course-a mile
and half straight away-this afternoon as
THE STAR goes to press. The races are con-
Quoted under the rules of the national associa-
ton, and are all for handsome prizes. The
junior and senior singles individual medals
are the prizes, while for the crew contests hand.
some club trophies, with colors, are offered in
addition to individual medals. The first race Of
the day, for senior fours, is for the champion
ship of the Potomac river, and has as trophies
both THE STAR and Post cups. The former is a
perpetual prize, in the possession of the Poto-
macs, and the latter must be won three times
successfully to insure ownership. 1t has been
is Se suS ropby or The
cared race.
SO extensive as usual the interest displayed in
the contests Is none the less lively and every
lining points to very successful regatta. It
was predicted that the crew races would be par
tlcuiarly interesting, as many of the contest
anus were very equally matched. In the senior
iour-oared race the only entries were the Wash
ingtons, Columbus and Potomacs, the latter
Deing the weil-knOwn lightweight crew of the
red shirts. 1t was very doubtful II this crew
chance of competing with their heavier neigh.
DOTS there was an evident desire to save one
OF the crew, Kearney, for his single race with
Snithson later in the afternoon. The Poto-
macs had the Virginia shore, the Columbias
the center and the Washingtons the MARYLAND
sa IL was conceded that this race would
De close one between the Washingtons and
Ine Coinmbias. The recent victory of the
former at Fortress Monroe gave them conf
were freely taken. The Columbias felt that
they had the fastest four they had yet turned
out, and thought well of their chances in both
they would save themselves for the gig race
II the race Tor the tours should prove desper-
ATE one. This the Columbias denied, however,
heS Iol
the Iours as 1t was the cham pOnship of the
river, and THE STAR and Posi- cups belonged
they said, their chances in the gigs would be
materially lessened, as the men would feel the
effects of the first race.
In the Junior four-Oared race the crews and
their positions, numbering from the Vir-
ginia shore, are: Analostans, /; Ariels, of
B;altimore, 2; Potomacs, 8, and Columbias. f.
maze themselves favOriteS in the betting last
night. Their rowing since they have been here
and many bets were made against them to-day
Inc excellent record OF the AnaloStanS in pre-
vious junior races led many to name them as
winners. The Coumbias and Potomacs were
unknown quantities.
The gig race is looked upon as the race OF the
Gay. The starters and their positions are:
bias, second; Onions, of New York, third. and
Colunlbias fourth. The Pennsylvanias have
twice won the Palmer cup, and need but one
more victory to own it. Their crew has always
rowed beautifully. and this year they were as
confident as ever Of victory. The Columbias were
favorites with them. but many knowing ones
were much afraid of the Union crew and conse-
quently bought them in the pools at favorable
odds. Those who had seen the Unions row
those who hadn't knew the Unions were satisfied
with their own abilities. or they wouldn't have
{ourneyed to Washington. Since their arrival
here they have only padded when matched
and they did that SO Well that an idea of their
abilities when pushed could be easily OBJ
tanned.
The only contestants in the senior singles are
kearney, of the Potomacs and Smithson of the
ashingtons, with chances in favor of the lat
son, Colurno ia; Baker, Washington; Noordzv.
Potomacs; BaItz, Pennsylvania. and Lettrell,
Rappahannock, of Fredericksburg, with chances
greatly In favor OF the latter.
In consequence Of the failure OF the Joint com.
nittee to reach any satisfactory conclusion with
regard to the eight-oared and light weight races
those contests were dropped from the program
ana the hour for commencing the races was
fixed for half past three O'Clock.
Scenes ON the River To-Day.
The excitement of the past few days i'm boat
ing circles was followed by quiet to-day, and
the different boat houses this morning pre-
sented rather a deserted appearance Only a
few enthusiastic wheel horses were on hand
making final preparations. They appeared per-
fectly satisfied with the outlook. The sky was
overcast, but they had fears of an inter-
ruption In the program as arranged. The water
Was all that could be wished for
A slight breeze rippled the surface, but gave no
Indications Of unusually rough water. Ellis
Ward, with barred arms and workingman's
apron on, was busy giving few finishing
touches to the Columbia shell, and seemed sat
isfed that his boys would do we'll as usual AT
the Potomac house, trainer Breen uncon-
cernedly talked over the prospects of the day
while Dempsey, called the swift greyhound,
busying with the Pennsylvania gig asked cues,
tions but got few answers. The Columbia and
Analostan boat houses were appropriately dec
GRATED with hags and streamers. Only the club
flags tioated from the Potomac house. A. usual
the Mary W ashingtOn was anchored lust above
the finish. affording an admirable point of want
age TOR spectators The Analostan boat house
from Which splendid view of the finish
could be obtained, thrown open
to the friends Of the club. AS the hour for
beginning the races approached spectators
began arriving at the river front, and the river
Itself was dotted with pleasure boats, many of
which contained ladies, who always take great
interest in the annual regattas Shortly after
two O'clock the tug E.. d. Hartley made
the round of the boat houses, and took
man, OF the Crescent club, Of Philadelphia:
the timers, Messrs. Frank NJ. Lewis and Robert
Leding, the judges and the newspaper reporters
The guests tug, the /. Thomas Brown, was
filled with an. interested party, who eagerly
awaited the races. 1t consisted of the visitors
from boat clubs of eother cities, the donors OF
prizes and the officers Of the local boat clubs.
Nothing had occurred to indicate trouble or de-
lay, so that when the word was given to start
the first race promptly on time, every one was
satisfied that the regatta would be good one,
and that the best men would win.
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