Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-28
VIRGINIA 0ARSMEN.
SOME DOUBT ABOUT TIE GIG RACE
ON THE FOURTH or JULY.
Tn. Richmond College Crew Dissr-
pointed-Their New Boat mol he'
Here-Great Interest In Rowing

IL was greatly resTettc' H"e ~
forty-foot gig Of tho Rich2ond Couege
crew did not arrive on the steamer Ariei
Yesterday afternoon, as was expected.
No sadder blow ever fell upon an en-
thusiastic body Of oarsmen than was thi'
when the announcement was made at 'he
boat-house in the presence Of both the col
lege crew and that OF the virginia BOAT
Club. who intended contesting Tor the
French cup of tho Virginia ASSOCIATION no, OF
Amateur Oarsmen on the Fourth OF July.
The boat had been ordered some tlhe
noo from Blakey. of Boston, aud was 10
have been ready for shipment by june isS,
nm an account of the illness OF the niue
craft. builder there was considerable dclaY'
and though Geographic commuhlcaslon
advised the college boys Friday tnst tneir
boat had been shipped ana W0u,u Ioaou
it's destination yesterday II iaiieu " so'
here. i, .ho
In Anticipation Of its coming all the
rnembers Of the crew 90 race with tho VIZ
giuias were at the boat-houso YESTERDAY
afternoon eager for trial ride IN Their now
torty-footer.
MAY CONF ny EXPRESS.
Tho matter was discussed at length be-
tween the two crews and seVeral pl'uS
were proposed. A. the regatta WAS az
ready out of the question they were very
reluctant about giving, up the luea VI
having the gig race on the rouIC III al" these
two crews it really looked as II u were
placed beyond the pale Of probability,
The members Of the Virginia Club NJ
once uroposed 10 lend TO the college crew
her paper gig. which they won az the
Norfolk race, for the purpose OF praCtlco
until their boat shall have arrived, which
would cetainly he 10y Tuesday. Afternoon,
This for pecunilry reasons tne 1910,
crew did not feel disposed 20 accept, leeiihng
that they could not well compete with the
Virginias unless they could nave ~ ieaSt
four or five DAYS rowing IN the boat winch
they were to enter the race with.
At late hour last hight It was about de-
cidcd that the boat would be stopped ny
telegraph at Norfolk and shipped thence
to Richmond by express so II couln Ees
here 10y Monday morning. II tIils - tiV ,I,o
the race will be held aud Will be one OF ,iie
most interesting contests OF tho Alhu !"
this city for many years.
THE CoNTEsTING CREWS.
Tho following are the gentlemen consti-
tpting tho two crews and their respective
e Virginia Boat Club-W. F. Broadnax,
stroke. Sidney Peticolns, three; Is. A.
Adams, two: Il. b. Peeram, bow.
Richmond College-D. ". Rucker, stroke;
T. II. Athev. three Charles Clements,
two; J. II. Read, Jr., bow;
The weight OF the members or the crew
averages 15j pounds. mo men are OF
GOOD stature and we'll propOrtioned and
muscled. 1t Is doubtful If eight better
built men Gun be found III any organization
Should the race come off, as in all proba-
bihty il will do. the start will be made at
o'clock promptly, and tho course Will De
from midway between the brewery and tho
acknowledgements 70 q point where inc
Judges stand will be placed between, the
boat house and the point or the lslnhu'
Arrangements have been made for tho
lower end OF the island for the spectators.
giving them view Of fully three tourths
OF the race, should 1t occur
TIE CONDITIONS OF THE RACE.
The conditions settled upon are: Four:
cared gig straightaway row one and nall
miles according to the rules OF the
National ASSOCIATION of Amateur Oars
men. and under the auspices OF the II
rlnia Association of Amateur Oarsmcn for
the French cup and gold medals for every
member of the winning crew.
THREE MONTHS PRACTISING.
On the waters Yesterday afternoon were
many pretty little craft OF all denomina-
tions. including q coquetush naptha
launch which steamed up and down the
river in graceful motion. Several four
cared gigs were splitting the waters gently
yet swiftly. and the juniors IN slngle-oHred
boats were playfully padding IN the
stream.
Great interest has been taken in pre-
pairing for the race, and the members OF
each crew entered for the race have been
diligently practicIng for about three
months. Nearly every evening mas round
them upon the river IN their boating uni
forms putting their muscle anu science 70
test.
A PROSPEROUS Association.
The members of the Virginia Boat Club
are taking great interest IN the sports upon
the water this season. Never has the men,
bership of that organization been az large
"a it IS at present, and never was 50 much
active interest being manifested. The club
Is nearly ont of debt aud has bought du-
ring the present season two new pleasure
boats and a new four-oared gig, besides
scyeral other little craft OF smaller value,
with the new wOrk-boat, which mas Just
been received.
This latter IL a trainer for the gig, and by
rowing in 1t q few times one IL enabled to
step into GIG without the slightest appre-
hension of capslzlng.
The club has Just received an invitation
20 enter the peoples and cup regatta 10
be held AT Philadelphia July 9Th. but was
compelled TO decline on account of the
contest to be held here on that day. This
cordial invitation was from the Nesper
Boat Club of Philadelphia, and asked the
Virginia oarsmeE to come as its guests on
that OCCASION.
The contest next year viii be held about
tho middle of June, in order that the Viz
gina crews can attend the regattas at other
c,tiaa if tha,r an IasIra