The Portland daily press., 1885-06-27
THE VARSITY RACE.
Harvard an Easy Winner by Fifteen
Lengths.
official Time: Harvard 25 min. 1 5
l-2 sec.; Yale 26 min. 20 sec.

NEW LONDON, June 26-Neyer in the history
OF Yale or Harvard aquatic sports has the interest
manifested previous to any race been so great as
1t was before tO-day's contest. Early last night
all the hotels We're crowded and lodgings could
not be ob@ained at any price. The night trains
from Boston and New York and the New York
boat brought increased numbers and the morning
trains from all directions came in crowded. New
Haven sent over an excursion train of Is ears in
addition to the regular trains. All night long
large numbers of students and others paraded the
streets and lounged about the hotels unable to Sc
cure accommodations
The betting which after the Columbia race
changed from odds on Yale to even money, and
then to odds on Harvard became about even. An
unusually large amount of money was put up on
the race, over $4,000 being wagered at the Crock
er house last night.
By sunrise people began to gather on the
streets and the race prospects were the absorb
ing theme OF conversation. Before o a. III, it was
evident that the race would be witnessed by
much larger crowd than had attended any pre-
Vious race. The prevailing opinion of the people
who were posted as to both crews was that fhe
stampede in favor of Harvard was unwarranted
in view of Yae's actual condition and satisfactory
practice work at home.
At 8 a. m. a Yale man just from the boat house
reported at New London that Captain Flanders of
the Yale crew required the services of physician
this morning, and that Appleton would be sub
stituted. He also reported that the race might be
postponed till afternoon.
AT 8 O'Clock the water was in excellent eondi-
ton, there being but slight ripple and very
light southwest wind. AS il became time for the
race the excitement became intense, especially
"
report that Captain Flanders was i'll and could
not row. A Yale official who was seen on the
though he was sick, it had been decided that it
would be better for him to row than to make
change in the stroke This story changed the
betting to 100 to 80 in Harvard's favor, and they
were furnishing all the money that Yale was call
ing for.
At about 9.45 a. M the breeze freshened con-
Slderably and blew almost Squarely across the
course. This was considered an advantage for
yale. AT 1918 the press boat Osprey steamed up
the course, picking its way slowly among nuner-
had freshened considerably and the water had
grown quite rough.
The Harvards were the first to appear, bringing
their boat out at Hop a. m. Yale followed one
minute later and both crews padded leisurely for
the starting point. AS Yale came down past the
press boat, Flanders was noted in his accustomed
place.
AT 11.25, the word was given, and Yale took
water very quickly, and obtained a lead of two
feet. Harvard settled to her work, however and
at fifty yards from the start had drawn up even
and was beginning to draw ahead. In less than
300 yards, Harvard showed clear water between
herself and Yale, and Yale never again got near
her. At this time Harvard was pulling 81 strokes
and Yale 40 to the minute. The former slowed
her stroke, and at the first half mile had a clear
lead of over a length. Harvard kept increasing
her lead, Yale still rowing 40 and Harvard 50. At
the first mile Harvard led by two lengths, her
time being Am 40sec AT a mile and half Yale
spurted and began to decrease the lead trine.
Harvard Immediately increased her stroke, and
again began to draw ahead. AT mile and a half
Haryards time was SIN. 20sec and the race was
virtually over At two miles the Harvards led by
three lengths, pulling fine steady stroke of SO.
Yale spurted up again opposite the navy yard but
Harvard easily held her own. AT two miles Har-
wards time was 10m. 1214s sec. From there to the
finish the water was quite rough, and til time
was slower.
At 21a miles Harvard led by lengths and was
gaining. Haryard's time was then Is minutes,
1924 seconds; Yales I6 minutes, 251a seconds
At that time Yale was pulling 40 and Harvard Sc.
At three miles Harvard led by ten lengths, pass
ing the flag in l8 minutes, 531a seconds. Yale's
time was 10 minutes, 491s seconds.
AT three and one-half miles Harvard led by an
eighth OF mile. The.Haryard men along the
course now became jubiant, and Yale had lost
al interest in the race Both crews spurted at
the fnishb but Harvard crossed the line 10 lengths
ahead an easy winner. The official time was far
yard % minutes, 151a seconds, Yale 26 minutes,
20 seconds. At the finish Haryards crew ap-
peared fresh and in fine condition, while in the
blown and Stores pulled with rather a listess
style