Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-03
SPORTING.
YALE WINS.


The eleventh race in the annual series of
four mile eight Dared srraightaway race, in-
augurated between Yale and Harvard in 1876,
was rowed this evening on the Thames river
course from Winthrop Point to Gales Ferry
and was won by Yale by seven lengths; time
20.4l4.
The interest in today's race was greater
than in any for the last eight years. Trains
from the east and south, arriving during the
night, brought large delegations as did the
boats from New York. Excursion trains
were run on all roads and were crowded with
people. Hundreds of applications for seats
| on the long observation train of % cars.
which followed the crews to the finish, were
| refused. the accommodations being made
quate. The immense grand stand at the
start was packed as closely as could be, as
were points of advantage along the banks.
On the river the scene was very much the
same. crafts of every description being an
chored along the course as closely as possible,
while scores of steamers and tugs followed
along the course on the outside. The betting
was quite lively, odds being slightly in favor
of Yale.
M, was so rough that it was postponed until
II 80, and then, after the referee had steamed
over the course until o'clock.
The Harvard and Yale boating officials then
held a consultation and decided to start the
race from Winthrop Point and up the river to
Gales Ferry, instead of the usual way, so as
to have all the benefit possible from the
favorable tide.
At 6 o'clock the conditions for fast row ing
were almost perfect. The water was almost
smooth. the tide and what little wind there
was being with the boats AT 6 10, the crews
came down to start, and little later both
crews padded into position.
| care you ready?-Go!"
| Then they came in quick succession and
| the great race was begun at 20. The Yale's
shell was the first to move and Harvard was
only an instant slower. Yale started with q
35 and Harvard 36 stroke per minute.
| For three hundred yards the struggle was
grand one, neither crew being able to gain
any advantage. Then Harvard poked the
nose of her boat straight to the front. This
advantage was, however, only momentary.
Yale, whose men were rowing in superb form,
drew up on even terms.
The half-mile was reached in 2.49, and
Yale had gained lead of half length. The
race for the next half-mile was very exciting,
and when the mile flag was reached the stern
of Yale's boat was just clear of Harvard's
bow.
| The enthusiasm was now at q high pitch
| and partisans of both crews were shouting
themselves hoarse. The mile flag was passed
in the fast time of 4. 80 for Yale and 5.21 for
Harvard. Yale kept her slow and steady
stroke and began drawing away from Har-
yard.
| At the mile and half flag, Yale had added
half length to her lead and Harvard appear
ed to be slightly ratified at the unexpected
turn OF affairs. Yale now began to take mat
tiers more easily and dropped down to a stroke
of 32 per minute, Harvard pulling 36. Yale's
powerful stroke and clock like work proved
very effective and although Harvard kept her
stroke up to sc, she gradually dropped astern.
Yale passed the two mile flag at 10. l01 and
Harvard at 10 26, five lengths behind. The
| positions were maintained until the three
mile stake was reached when Harvard gained
little Yale passed the three and half
mile flag at lS.494. Harvard at 1888. Yale
now began to squirt, the first and only time
during the race running the stroke up to 80,
while Harvard was only pulling 35. The
effect was wonderful. The Yale she'll moved
through the water at great pace and she be-
gan to run right away from the Cambridge
men.
Harvard attempted to respond to Yale's
squirt but the result was disastrous, causing
two of their men to lose time, and all clipped
their stroke badly.
Yale kept up the squirt the whole of the
last half mile and with such telling effect that
she gained fully five lengths in that distance,
crossing the finish line seven lengths ahead
Time 20 Al; Harvard 2l.05a. This unex-
pectedly fast race and decisive victory set the
Yale men on the observation train wild with
delight, and they jumped from the cars and
ran down to the river bank and ssluted their
victorious crew with cheer after cheer.
The official time could not be obtained, ow-
ing to the miserable accommodations for and
lack of courtesy to members of the press.
The time given is that taken by the reporters
from the press boat. The referee and official
time keepers were unapproachable after the
race. 1t is conceded on all sides that the
race was won squarely on its merits, and
Yale was the winner because she had better
stroke and rowed in much better form.