Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-05
COLLEGE CREW WINS
sraRL WARr OARSMEN LEAD TIE
vlaGlNIAS BY six BoAT-LENGTHS.
with n steady Swinging Stroke They Pull
Away frpr their Opponents and
Score In 0:1S.

srOrr IN ostos
Fully Eve thousand persons witnessed
the boat-racc on the river yesterday eve
ming. Tie edges of the lower end of Mayos
Island were lined with spectators, while
the banks Of the river az far down "a the
starting-point furnished many coy places
from which tho race could be seen, and
hundreds of eager eyes gazed upon the
contestants for the French cup OF the Nr-
pinia Association of Amateur Oarsmen.
Never was there n more enthusiastic
crowd or more surprised anuience 10
witness any regatta held IN this city than
was this one when the Richmond College
crew. in their graceful new gig and their
pretty navy-blue uniforms, crossed the
closing line about six lengths ahead OF
their contestants the five skilled oarsinen
from the Virginia Boat Club.
STARTING nows THE RIVER.
II was announced that the row would
take place at 6 o'clock promptly, but on
account of the lateness Of the closing Of
tho game of ball. fully three fourths OF the
snsctators of that event having already
purchased tickets to'the lower end OF the
island. il did not come of until about
ESQ.
The VIrginias seated themselves in their
gig at 6 o'clock and rOwed down the river,
followed few minutes later by the naph-
tia launch Resale, which had been kindly
rendered TO the Judges. referees. and news
paper-men bv Mr.. Clarence Millhiser. Sub
seouently came the college crew, padding
| along at an easy rate OF speed.
ATUG GIVES RIGHr-oF-wAY.
Upon arriving at the starting-point it
was found that the race would probably be
impeded by the approach of a tug winch
was towing n load of four flats of cross
ties and other timbers. The incoming
vessel pulled in to the right, however. and
allowed the race 10 proceed.
The Manchester side of the stream had
been won by the college men. and the
opposite side was the alternative OF the
| other crew.
Stake boats were placed in the river and
the cigs were Proved into position for the
signal from tn, starter.
THE JUDGES AND REFEREES.
At this point a snort consultation was
| held by the judges. time keeper and starter.
who had been chosen at the meeting OF the
Virginia Association of Amateur Oarsmen
| Ell 1890 O'Clock yesterday as follows: For
| the Virginia Boat Club-W. Gray Watson,
referee: George 3. Pegram, tlme-keeper.
For the College Club-F. W. Duke, rete-
zee: James L. Wyatt. time keeper; n NJ.
Smith, Jr, starter tor both crews. The
| Judges at the finish were Thomas to,ndex-
ter for the Yirginias. and Samuel Young
for the college boys.
ABEAUTIFUI START.
With the word ready eight pair Of arms
| were stretched out with manifest eager
| ness for the strife. The tide had begun to
| recede and there was never "A smoother
surface upon the river nor more gentle
| and inspiring evening for en- aquatic con-
| test.
| II having been determined that the race
would begin with the firing Of pistol and
| close with The same ceremony from the
Judges stationed az the finishing point, no
| sooner had the clear report rang out upon
| the still atmosphere than eight oars were
buried into the water and the gigs split
ting the stream in great strides.
TIE FIRST TIN sTRogEs.
There was not an irregularity OF any
| kind for the first ten strokes, which We're
made by each body almost simultaneously,
and with that precision of skill and long
training that characterized tho race
throughout.
For one or two hundred yards the boats
kent side hy side. Then the men in the
shirts of blue pulled slightly ahead OF the
Virginias. This fact did not seem TO
dampen the spirits of those IN the rear
boat, for the crew manipulated their oars
with Great celebrity and the speed or their
gig increased. but the tremendous swing
of the stall @art students proved too much
for the scientific crew Of the Virginia
Club.
In the first minute the Virglnias made
forty.two strokes and the students thirty.
six. yet the college quintette were bow and
bow with their antagonists.
TIE FIRST CHEERS.
The first cheers were given the leading
crew by the sailors on the vessels anchor,
ed on the Chesterfield side. This seemed
TO inspire the oarsmen, and by tho time
the boat came near enough for the specta-
tors on the island to see that it was in the
lead the wells and cheers were almost
deafening.
The college students were present in
| LARGE numbers many of them being ac-
companied by ladies. The boys drew neal
together and greeted the approach of then
representatives with most enthusiastic, de
monstratiOn. The Virginia Clubs colorS
adorned the lapes of great numbers o.
vounc men In the vast assembly. anC
many of their badges were worn by ladies'
II was decidedly Virginla-Boat Gut
audience. Ills crew was expected 10y
nearly every one to bear off the honors o.
: the contest, and there were very few
friends of the college boys who had sui
ficient confidence TO place money where
! odds of three TO one were offered.
RUSH FOR THE GROUNDS.
Not in many years have as many peopl'
heen seen on tho lower end OF Mayo
I Island as were there waving their hats anC
l handkercniefs and shouting themseye
hoarse when. the gig OF the oog vs. IN niu'
glided gracefully past the white flag.
' The rush for admission to the grounds
2 was fearful. So large an attendance haC
! not been anticipated. and consequently
the arrangement made for passing the PEG
ple through the gate, which was only hal
open, was utterly inadequate. Men, wo
! men, and children were damned together
and 1t appeared as though some of thos
less strong than Others would be mashe'
or otherwise injured. Everybody was III
+ hurry. and there was atremendous push. }
! little forethought and two unobstructet
oates with q ticket receiver at each woul(
have obviated this, and have greatly adde,
: TO the personal comfort of the hundred
that passed in from the ball park.
g THE COLLEGE CREW AHEAD.
) When the little boats came in sight from
around the wharyes on the Chesterfield
side il could not be told even by the aid o
' the glasses which was ahead. In few
: seconds, however, IL became certain ina
Y the blues were in the lead: and as the.
: neared the point OF tne l1l"pu 'ho sop W
, tween them and their competitors appear
+: ed to grow steadily.
0 The nearer the winning boat approached
0 the more enthusiastic the people became
: and with good nature the members ant
: friends of the Virginia Club hearth.
: Joined in the ovation to the victors. Ih'
college boys, who ten minutes before ha'
r been apprehenslve OF defeat, were nov II
{ greatest ecstacy. The firing of the tna
signal was greeted by them with chez
after cheer aud the regular college yell.
!. THE CLOSE OF THE RACE.
The finishing pull was admirably don
{ by both crews. The college team kept u
its steady, sweeping stroke TO the last
making the same number IN the last min
ute that it did in the first, and crossin
a under the flash OF the pistol just SIX boat
: lengths ahead OF its rivals, making tn
U course of mile and half in nine min