Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-15

NeYt Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons the
annual regatta Of the National Association Of
Amateur Oarsmen will take place on the Poto-
mac under the auspices of the clubs Of the
Potomac navy. Preparations have been made
for this event some time in advance, and every
thing has been done to make II one Of the finest
ever held by the association, and surely one
of the best and most complete ever witnessed
BY wsshingtonians. The list of entries in
cludes the names of the fastest amateurs in the
country, and although the showing of local
clubs and crews il not what it might be, in
view Of the advantages that the very many
devotees Of the oar in this vicinity possess, the
sport that may be witnessed from the banks of
the river on those two afternoons will be mem
orsble for long time to come
TIE COURSE.
The course has been arranged with two OBJ
jects in view. The first one has been to aford
the best possible water in which the boats are
to be rowed, for that il the most important
factor in a regatta. The oarsman must be
looked TO before any one else. Then the public
comes in for It's share of attention. and the line
has been set with much regard as possible
for its convenience and comfort. A regatta is.
10 q certain extent, public event. TO which TO
admission fee can be charged. and on all such
occasions there must be some attention paid to
the lay Of the land along the course with a view
TO allowing as many folks to witness the races
a. possible
vHY IT Is THE BEST.
II was though. at first that for the sake Of the
public the course had better be laid off quite
near 10 the shore Of the fats. starting from the
Long bridge and finishing opposite Littetield's
wharf. This would give still water for the
races ard no chances of interference on the
part of the river boats, which are always a dan
Eerous cement on the course at such times.
As the water near the wall Of the fats il quite
shoal these boats would be unable to steam in
and interfere with the crews. But 1t was found
on examination Of the proposed course that
there ives so much long grass growing in the
water there that il would be nard to propel
hight boat, and this course had to be aban-
d0ned-
qhs course that has finally been selected and
approved IL shown in the cut at the head of the
Column. 1t il thought to be very nearly per-
feet for the purposes OF the oarsmen and al
most much SO for the convenience OF the
spectators The water l. deep enough to allow
the boats TO be pushed at top speed without
fear OF drag from the bottom. and although 1t
70 possible for the river craft TO get into the
course aud interfere, if any are OF that DISPOSE
ton vet il is expected that with the excellent
arrangements that have been made for policing
the course there will be little difficulty from
this source.
THE RACES.
AL OF tne races put one Will DO the teBu-
lation distance Of one and one half miles. The
start will be from point about half a mile
north Of the west end of Long bridge, well over
toward the Virginia shore. and the rinlsh about
In the middle Of the narrow stretch OF river
opposite the house Of the Analostan Club. 1t
vas over this course that O'Connor andTeemer
roved their race three years ago, and Hanian
and Courtney used abort the same water at
their exhibition longer ago than that 1t is
probably the best course on the river, free from
difficult currents, with plenty Of water and as
straiyh: as q die. There Is enough straight
water beyond the finish to permit the crews to
rush on as far as they want in resting from
their last spurt and it will not be necessary for
them TO exert themselves TO pull up after the
races In order TO avoid collisions, Is the case
IL very many places. In Baltimore in June
last the finish was at an approaching angle with
bridge, so that the crews had 10 be careful
afteT crossing the lire not TO run into the piers
The unish line is opposite several points of
vantage, the best one, VI course, being the bal
eony VI the Analostan house. The wharves in
the vicinity also afford good standing ground
for spectators and the shores Of Analostan
Island will accommodate hundreds of those
who prefer the other side. which IL nearer the
stake boats than the city shore.
The races will begin at o'clock on each day
AID viii be rowed az intervals Of half an hour.
There are so many entries In some Of the events
thai u VIII be necessary TO row them in heats.
IL which event the finals will all be on the lat
ter day, as IL will be impossible for the con-
tessS4ts TO participate in two races OF the same
sort In the same afternoon and do themselves
justice At any rate 1t IL customary to row
heat events IN this way and the rule will prob
ably be followed The heat races will be as fol-
lows: Junior single scuils, senior single SOULS,
qu&rtsr-mils dash for senior singies, double
souls. pair oars, senior four oGrs.
The eigLtOared race 10 always saved until
the last day and usually until the last event,
and that can be put down as almost q certainty
for Wednesday.
TUESDAYS Events
will thus probably include the preliminary
heats in the two single races, junior and single,
three in each. two beats In the senior fours and
two each in the double souls and the pair oars
bueh program would be very long, and it is
possible that the actual entries in the angles
VII not be sufficient TO require three heats
There are now entered thirteen men in the
taaior race and sixteen in the senior and OF
tksss some are almost sure to drop out before
the start II any should drop from the race for
double SOULS that race can be rowed in single
heat and will be given q place on the second
dAy. There seven entries for this race and
many more Tor the pair oars, too many FOL
one heat as they stand. but with the possibiit,
Of some crews weakening.
TWENTY CONTESTS SCHEDULED.
should no one drop from any Of these event.
there ~il BE- at least eight races or heats on tn,
arst day and twelve on the second Butsuch
probability il quite beyond the range Of ex
pectation, for the experience Of regatta mana
gers has been that crews drop out at the Las
minute for numberless reasors- II the start
sEe made at o'clock and the program Of tw'
races an hour is followed out closely, a. il car
be, there would be I've hours OF good light il
which to row. and this would give time for tel
heats or races The program, II no contestant
dropped, could hardly be completed, but Their
10 no anxiety felt on the part Of the commit
tee Of arrangements on this score. 1t Is ex
pected that the races viii be nnished on eac
day By 7 o'clock.
The matter Of promptness In starting tn
races 70 very important one, and II give
more work and trouble to the officials Of tn
regatta than any other except that OF keepin
the course clear. The best feature Of the Bal
t:more regatta was that with the exception @
very few minutes there was no diiferenc
between the actual aud scheduled time for th
events The last race was finished within
very short margin Of the time set, and 70 th
local COMMITTEES that rsgatss might serve as q
excellent guide for this one. In other respee,
u was hardly worthy Of emulation