The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-07-10

boat, next to him was Arp, and on the south
side Of the course Stedman The start was
La pretty one, but it was soon evident that
Flemming would win. His stroke was as
steady, easy and even as though he worked
by machinery. At no time did he exert him.
self and yet when he returned having gone
to the buoys--his shell sped through the
water at a very swift rate Arp, though an
excellent sculler, is not the equal Of Elem
ming, and Stedman foual both too fast for
him. Flemming is one Of the best amateur
scullers in the west and the equal of many
professionals,
The race next called was the race in which
the people were most interested. It was be-
tween the two tours Of the home Club Both
crews had vigorously practiced during the
ten days preceding and had gotten them.
selves into the best shape possible for an
evenly contested race. The crew Of No. |
consisted of c. f. Hook, stroke: 7. j. Lynch,
3D.; F. f. Mayo, 2 Chas. Neubert, bow; l.
Leland, cockswain. No. 2. crew had in it: q.
NJ Trimble, stroke; f. c. Allen, .jr., 8; G.
Griggs. 2 Il. c. Hit bow. and +. V. IIobert
cockswain. Both crews appeared in uniform,
crew No. l. having suits of dark blue and
crew No ?. wearing suits Of white and buff
All were in good condition and in the best Of
spirits The desire to win was uppermost in
the minds Of the members of both crews,
and the knowledge that they we're exciting
great interest among the people who were
watching them was an additional incentive
to do their very best.
1t was evident that the majority of the
crowd watching expected the Hook crew to
win, and whatever betting was done was
largely on offers made by those who felt con.
tident that crew No. |. would come in ahead
at the finish. Promptly at 5l5 the crews
rowel from the boat house, and on the order
of Mr.. Mcclellan took their positions, crew
course and crew No. 2 the north. At tie
inquiry, care you ready" every oarsmen
grasped more firmly his oar and put HIMSELF
in position to get all the advantage of good
start that could possibly be obtained. The
word Cor was given, and with it two boats
shot forward--crew No. l. taking a quick,
short stroke and the members of No 2. a
stroke long and sweeping. But one stroke
had been taken by Oarsman Hook, when his
oar snapped, broken at the handle and
blade. The Judge requested return, and
new oar was substituted. Then it was found
that one Of the sliding seats of gig No. /. did
not operate right, and that had to be fixed. |
After this delay everything was at last in
readiness-the boats ranged in position and
the command "Go!" again given. 1t was ev.
ident from the start that the members off
crew No. |. had determined among them.
selves to obtain the lead at The outset, aud
every one of them pulled hard and fast, |
while crew No. 2, held to the long stroke, |
which, though not counting as many to The
minute, seemed to send their boat along as
swiftly. To the turn three quarters of
race was close to a degree that
heightened the interest Of the crowd and
made it impossible to tell which would win.
The blues were perhaps fifteen feet in the !
cad at the bIoys, but to make their turn
hey had to so thirty feet further up the
liver than did the whites; and so when the
urn was made it was announced that The
whites we're ahead, but so close was il that
here was no certainty as TO who would gain
the advantage, Crew No 2 made the turn
without the least delay, and with the same
sweeping stroke started on the home course,
themselves to make their squirt at
he finish. When crew No. |. made their
ura, through miscalculation, their boat
shot over towards the river bank, and in
stead Of gaining anything on their opponents
hey lost, their boat fouling against the
hore. BY the time they were righted they
,ould not ovcrtake No. g. and when the race
vas finished they were sadly in the rear.
The crowd was disappointed that the race
vas not closer, and when the finish was
made but little enthusiasm was manifested.
t is evident that there is good material for
BOAT racing among the members of the Club,
md they should keep themselves in prac-
ice. 1t is also apparent that the sweeping,
ong stroke Is better for racing along course
han is short, rapid one.
The shell race between the Sylvan four
# Moline and the four from Peru was won
" the Sylvans, who allowed the Perutes to
emain even with them until within a hun
lred yards of the finish, and then at the
words "All pull" from Stroke Flemming,
hey shot so far ahead that the oarsmen from
'eru concluded that they were hardly equal
o the task of keeping up with them,
But two skifs were in the twooared skitf
ace.-Messrs. Toilet Bull and Will. Snow
ucceeded in beating the Grant Bros, though
he race was close,
At seven clock the regatta was finished
IN d the river banks deserted. Mr.. McClel-