The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-09-22
CUMBERLAND ROWING AsSoCIA-
TON.
TWO Exciting Races at sebago Lake
Yesterday.
Good Rowing by Some of PortIand's
Leading Oarsmen.

The excursion of the Cumberland Rowing
Association to Sebago Lake yesterday came
too late in the season to draw the crowd
which should have been present to witness
the exciting contests of the afternoon. Inc
regular trains carried small number OF per
sons to the Lake station, and at noon a spe-
cial train, consisting of an engine and two
cars, brought fresh arrivals. The weather
was delightful in the early part of the day,
but the strong wind of the afternoon bother
ed the oarsmen somewhat in the two races
which were rowed, and prevented altogether
the third race.
The party who had como from Portland to
enjoy the days festivities was merry one,
and passed the time in various out-of-door
sports, and dancing in the pavilion, Grim
mer's orchestra furnishing excellent music.
THE RACES.
1t was about o'clock when Messrs. John
ID. Reardon and VIM. j. Kearns, the judges,
anchored in the stake-boat at point a mile
from the steamboat wharf and in a north
westerly direction from it, SO that the two
mile course would run nearly parallel with
the shore, giving the spectators chance to
Referee Richard Norton occupied boat
short distance out from the wharf, the races
being started from an imaginary line from
the referees boat to the wharf and finishing
there. The contestants were not accompa-
MED over the course, there being no steamer
which could be procured for the purpose.
The first race was for four-oared working
boats, the championship of New England
and four gold medals being offered as prizes
to the winning crew. There were three
crews contesting, one from the Dirigo Boat
Club and two from the Cumberland Rowing
Association. The crews which took their
positions to start were as follows:
Cumberland Rowing Association Crew, No. l.
Clary bow; McDermutt, Leonard, Frates, stroke.
Cumberland Rowing Association Crew, No. 2
Weber, bow; Dennis, Morgan, Flaherty, stroke.
Dirigos-Greely. bow; MCGEE, Cady, Randall,
stroke.
The boats were sent away with the Diri-
gos slightly leading. The two Cumberland
crews for few moments had lively tussle
all to themselves, which was ended by Cla-
rvs crew going to the front, and gaining a
lead which they held to the finish, although
the other crew made good second. The
Dirigos steered badly at the start and got
too far in toward the shore, but afterward
retrieved in measure what they had lost,
and crossed the line only short distance be-
hind the others. The crew deserve credit
for doing as we'll as they did, Randall being
taken sick before the race was over. All the
boats rowed at the finish in lsisurely man.
ner, the winners being sure of their victory,
and the second crew evidently satisfied that
they could not then get first place. The
Cumberland No. crew finished in Inn. 3Os.,
the No. 2 crew in ION. 5s. no time was tax
en- for the other boat.
The second contest of the afternoon was
the race for double-scull working boats. Two
prizes were offered, the first of $50. and the
other of $40. Three crews were in line
when the word to go was given. Paine and
Buckley in their red boat had the first place,
by the referees boat. Next to them were
O'Brion and Stevens, in handsome new
boat and in the third position by the wharf
were Conley and Donohue.
The start was a good one and the race was
exciting the boats keeping well together and
being sent over the two mile course in live
ly fashion. O'Brion and Stevens seemed to
have the best of it at the first and gained a
| slight lead but later as the boats came down
to the finish the red boat, which had held
| the outside course and was well out from
| the shore was seen to be the probable win
ner unless O'Brion and Stevens could row
fast enough to cross the line in advance. The
course of the boats drew together as the
line was reached and as they approached
each other the contest was watched with ex-
element by the spectators who loudly
cheered their favorites. The red boat, how
ever, shot in ahead of her plucky competition
and won the race by a length, the third boat
coming ia close onto the leaders. No time
was taken in this race.
A foul was claimed by O'Brion and Stey-
ems and Conley and Donohue. Their boats
fouled in turning the stake boat and each
crew held to the opinion that the fault lay
with the other The referee reserved his
decision, but it is probable the race as con-
Germs those two crews will be rowed again.
The third race was for the junior singles
and M. Clary and P. McDermott were on
hand to pull, but the wind had veered to the
east and the surface of the lake was covered
with white caps which threatened to swamp
any adventurous sculler who ventured Out
into them. The race was accordingly post
| poned and will probably be rowed in the
| harbor.
The excursion train left for Portland al
$40 and carried party well satisfied with
their days pleasure. The success of the
excursion is creditable to those having the
matter in charge as well as the participants
in the regattas.