The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-14
4 REGATTA TO Be HELD.
Work Of The Virginia Boat Club During the
Coming Year.
HISTORY OF THE FIRST RICHMOND CREW.
The Names OF Its Foundcrs-Tbe Juniors VIM
Go Into Practice Very soon-ine '''"-
mond College Boys.

=
boats are out every day. and tho virginia
Roa. Climb Il always largely represented Row.
ING has not only become a welcome pa9.iiuo
20 the men. but the ladies also turn OUT ia
1,oodiv numbers TO be taken down 10 the
mentors by the membes OF the ciuo' OF v"
shorter trips. as the case may De-
rha virginia Boat Club has seer. some
.,a,tv hard times in years gone by, out ~
srosent il is in more prosperous conuAe'oiIs
H. ever before. The sport OF rowing u OF
comnaratiyely recent origin IN this city, anu
mn to tbe wear 1879 there was no 0rgahlAeu
clnb To be found in this city. In tnaI year
tha OLYMPIC Rowing Club was started. and
hn.t housa was built on the banks OF the
cansl m the foot Of CANDLES Hill. Inc
founders of the club were Messrs. Lester Blalr,
l. blair. c. NJ, Ragland, 4. 7. fhoii W; A.
Crenshaw. r.. ri. Smith, j. l.. Hill ana wafer
Irnshur Besides the boat-house the only
property Of the club consisted IN one poat,
the Olympic" then sx-oared barge "nlcn
since that time has been reduced 70 the ciass
of a working boat, and rs az present useu oy
the crew of the Richmond College Cluo tor
practicing. .o..
UNTIL THE CANAL WAS BOLD.
The club remained in its original quarters
until the canal was sold TO the railroad com;
many. A number OF bridges being stretched
across the canal it became necessary tor the
,,,aynbers NJ the club to look for a new home.
The old bOat-house was turned INTO roau-
house by the railroad people, ana the men
of the Olympic Club took up ther a9oue on
Mavo,s Island in 1880. After some dellDera-
tio1s il was decided 10 build the new house
on the spot where it can be found at present;
and the foundations Of an old rellnquished
saw-mill were used in q successful
manner for the basis Of the boat
house. The construction Of the build
ing cost little over three thousand
dollars. not including the fitting up OF the IN
terror. lockers. etc In order 10 complete the
building a debt had 10 be contracted, but the
officers of the club we're not willing TO obi
gate themselves individually for the amount
Involved and il was therefore deemed adyls-
Able TO secure q charter for the Boat Club.
This having been done stock was issued for
the amount REQUIRED and found ready takers.
The financial aspect not being very encourag-
Ing il was decided 10 sell out and some nine
or ten members of the club bought up the
stock. which they still hold at the present
time. The name of the club was then changed
TO the Virginia Boat Club.
In the summer of 1880 the first regatta was
held, and the crew of the Rives Club, OF the
University Of Virginia, carried on the prize,
consisting Of silver cup. Since then legat,-
tas were held every year between the several
boat clubs of the State. as stated IN the
columns of THE TIMES several weeks ago.
On several occasions the Virginia Boat Club
was victorious, while in other instances the
clubs from Norfolk, Alexandria, Fredericks-
burg and Of the University of Virginia became
the successful competitors.
TIE LAST REGATTA.
The last regatta was rowed in 1889 at War
wick Park. Theschallenge cup was won by the
Virginia Boat Club. much TO the dlsappolnt-
ment Of the Rives Club. the only competitor
in the race. The winning crew was the same
one that won the race few days before at
Baltimore. Last summer for various reasons
no regatta was held, but this year a race
between the several clubs belonging TO the
State Association. will take place on Saturday,
July 4th The most important event will
be the race for the challenge cup to be
rowed bv four-oared gig crews. invitationsto
enter this race have been sent to the Apo
mattox Club of Petersburg the Washington
and Lee Club of Lexington. the Richmond
College Club, the RappahanuOck Club of
Fredericksb burg and the Virginia Boat Club.
Mr.. Il. H. Bssell, of the Virginia Boat Club, has
been elected chairman of the regatta commit
tee, with the authority Of electng two add
tional members. This committee will have
charge of all the details of the regatta.
REGATTA THIS YEAR
1t has been decided already that the regatta
Is 10 take place near Richmond, but the course
has not vet been selected. There is very little
probability that Warwick Park will be the
choice Of the committee on account of the in
sufficient accommodations to reach that point.
At one time il was thought 10 be advisable TO
have the regatta at Vinita, on the Allegheny
raiffoad about fourteen miles above this city.
This scheme, however. may be considered as
fallen through for the reason that the rail-
road company would not be able TO furnish
the desired accommodation in the way of
observation trains, etc. and besides no pro-
vision could be made for the housing Of the
competing crews in that localityson the even
ing before the regatta. 1t is very likely that
mile and q half straight down from the Chesa-
peake and Ohio wharf to the point of Mayo's
Island will be selected. II this shoud be the
case IA grand-stand would be erected on
Mayos Island, giving splendid opportunity
TO THE interested spectators TO witness the
finish Of the several races. The men from
the Virginia Boat Club would then be in
position to play the host for the visiting
crews at their own boat-house.
COLLEGE CREW.
The crew of the Richmond College Club is
hard at work every day. and its members are
making very good progress in rowing. Some
time ago they ordered a cedar boat from
the North III every respect the make Of the
Virginia, which will be manned sby the
crew of the Virginia Boat Club. For some
reason the boat has not yet arrived, and the
college boys are still compelled to practice in
the Old Olympic. They had. intended to
take part in the regatta during the COM
mencement exercises az Washington and Lee
University, but on account of the delay in the
delivery Of the boat this idea had TO be drop
ped.
During the coming week junior crew will
90 into practicing from the Virginia Boat
Club, consisting of +. b. Smith. b. Marshall,
II. r. Wilson and j. Goerty. Very likely a
second junior crew will be arranged for in
time TO take an active part in the coming re-
gatta and q race between the fOur-oared
Junior crews from the club may be looked for
on that occasion.
The boat club of the Young Mems Chris
tan Association had TO experience considera-
bic uphill work. site for the boat-house
bad been selected right above the Virginia
dub. but at the last moment some serious OBJ
lection was raised by the hitter organization.
and il has since been agreed by the interested
parties TO have the house built Just below the
Virginia house. provided that Mr.. j. Thorn
ton Brown, the real estate agent, can be in
suced 10 have the fence Of the baseball
ground set back sufficiently to afford room for
The construction Of the building II is 10 be
hoped that this matter can bearranged within
The next few days, and the house will then be
constructed in two weeks time.
The Sons of st. George.
Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge. No. SO. at its last
regular meeting, installed the following
ethcers. w President. j. H. Walters: W.Nice-
president n. G.. Chilyer; w Secretary, John