The Portland daily press., 1890-06-28
BLUE AND CRIMSON SIDE BY SIDE
AS tho Shells Shoot Away In the Great
Varsity Regatta.
Then Sturdy Yale Men Forge Their
Boat Ahead and Win.
Harvard and Columbia Freshmen
Row Their Race In Darkness.

New LONDON, CT, June 27.-The 18th
annual, four miles straight away, eight cared
boat race between the Yale and Harvard
University crews, was rOwed this evening
over the Thames river course from Gales
Ferry to Winthrop Point, Yale winning by
three and one-half lengths in 81 minutes 20
seconds. Haryard's time was q minutes 40
seconds. This is Yalc's fifth successive vic
tory, and the record for the four mile races
now stands, Yale, won nine. Harvard, six.
The race was one Of the grandest and pret-
tiest struggles ever witnessed over the
Thames river course. At no time during
the first three miles was either crew able to
obtain decisive lead. Yale finished strong,
keeping up long, steady swing, with almost
faultless precision, crossing the line without
the least sign of distress, while In the Har-
ward boat at least three men were clearly
showing the effects OF their determined ef-
fort. Not for years have so many people
witnessed Yale-Haryard event. The con-
ditions we're excellent, there being a slight
ripple on the water, caused by breeze from
che sound.
Harvard made much the better start, send
ing this bow Of their she'll to the front, and
by pretty piece Of rowing gained nearly a
length, Yale's bow being opposite the Har-
ward coxswain. Harvard kept this lead to
the quarter, where Yale's boat began to
move up and, by magnificent exhibition Of
rowing. the shells were again placed on even
terms half n length before reaching the half
mile flag. The bow Of Yale's boat gained on
Harvard az the rate Of one man for each four
strokes. This was kept until Yale's she'll
was half length In 'front.' Yale held this
advantage TO the three-quarters flag where
Harvard reduced 1t to one-quarter Of a
length. These positions were maintained to
the mile flag just after passing that flag
Harvard increased the stroke, and pushed
its shell up even with Yale. Here another
splendid exhibition was given by both crews
1t was difficult TO tell which crew was ahead
so evenly were they matched.
As they passed the one and half mile
point Harvard appaI tntly had slight ad-
vantage. Nearing the navy yard Yale struck
a strip OF smoother water under the lee, and
by another squirt took the lead, passing the
two mile flag witha lead Of half length.
Harvard tried hard to respond 10 Yale's
squirt, but its effect resulted In giving slight
loll to their boat, causing the cOxswain to
swerVe a trifie. The Harvard men had evil
IDENTIFY made their greatest effort, and, fall
ing to hold their position, dropped gradually
behind. At the end Of the third mile Yale
was a length ahead. Here both crews were
pulling sc strokes. Nothing was gained or
lost during the next half mile. at three and
half miles Yale began to show clear water
and gradually pulled away from her rivals.
In the Harvard boat Nos. /, 3 aud fell for
ward as Yale crossed the line, evidently
having used their last pound Of force. They
soon re covered their wind.
The Columbia-Harvardf freshman race was
rather an unsatisfactory affair. After the
big event, the lower course was so crowded
with craft that il was dark before the COlum-
bia and Harvard freshmen started the two
mile race. From the statements Of a few
who saw fractional part Of the race, 1t Is
learned the crews came down the river near
ly together, until the last half mile, where a
steamer ran across the bow Of the Harvard
boat, or so near as to interfere with their
work The crews could not be distinguished
and the position Of the boats and their times
were largely a matter of guesswork The
referee gave Columbia the race by half
length. The Harvard men were apparently
satisfied. The Columbia's time was given
ont as I0m "a sec,