Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-29
WALKOVER FOR YALE.
The Blue Defeats the Crimson
by Seventeen Lengths.
Yale Men Almost Ashamed Of Calling
thu Affair Victory.
Harvard Givss Poorest Exhibition Of Rowing
Ever Seen on Thames.

New LONDON, CT, June 2S.-Under the
rowing conditions declared by the Harvard
coachers, this morning, the most favorable
for the success of their crew, Yale left the
Crimson oarsmen more than Il lengths be-
hind on the four mile course down the
Thames tonight. A gentle breeze, calm
sea and flush tide were what the Harvard
navy asked for, and their prayer was an
swered, including their representative eight.
It was the most signal and indefensible de-
feat since Captain Stevenson's boys in blue
established the American intercollegiate
record over the same water in 1888.
A quarter mile lead is margin which
robs any race of its sweetness, unless the
record goes down in the struggle, and Yale
feels doubtful whether congratulations are
in order or not after such a contest. The
Yale coachers are nearly as sour after the
exhibition of Craftsmanship given as if the
Blue had lost, and assert almost to man,
that another similar performance will kill
rowing in Eastern colleges.
Thirty thousand people saw the race.
That figure is at least an average, if not the
maximum, for the Yale Harvard Varsity
struggle ON the Thames. Neither contest
ing college seemed interested enough to
send sizable delegation. Waves of Grim
son and blue floated from every yacht that
lined the river and the cheers that went up
from the passenger steamers near the finish,
the observation train, which followed the
eights, and on the New London Northern
Railroad, were constant and vociferous.
AT $50 long line of vehicles, by sea and
land, were on the way up the Thames, and
by 6.l5 all were in place for the eliminating
athletic event of the year. With the aid
of strong field glasses both crews could be
seen to leave their quarters at 6.20, almost
simultaneously take their shells down to the
water, look over the rigging finally, and
then launch them at about 80.
Yale's boat was in the water and manned
first. The occupants padded slowly down
the stream, and to the opposite shore, over
a mile away, while Harvard was rowing
from "Red Top" directly across the
Thames to the starting flag. Harvard rowed
lively to its place and both shells backed
slowly into position.
. At f.45 the word was given. Harvard's
light freighted boat shot ahead first. The
start was the most remarkable piece of row.
ing in the race. Not splash was percepti-
BILE on side of either boat although quicker
start is seldom made. Harvard's lead was
aggravatingly short. Ten seconds were all
the time allowed that crew. Then the shells
slid along side by side, close under the lee
of the west shore, only 200 yards from the
observation train, Harvard nearest the
bank.
Yale won the race before the first half
mile was covered. The eight settled into
steady and magnificent form 100 yards
from the start and except once held it till
the finish. The stroke dropped TO the reg
ulation Bob Cook four mile pace, and Capt.
johnson set it with the metric,l exactness
which characterized his half dozen Yale
predecessors.
The half mile stake found Yale leading
by length and half steering for the mid
away toward the bank, reckless of the
traditions of eel grass and shadows, losing
ground and courage through poor steering.
The Cambridge men started the race with
semblance of form and retained it for a
mile.
Just beyond the half mile surface of the
river underwent q capricious change. An
almost rippleless sea smiled upon the crews
at the start, but before they were fairly
under way the wind stiffened and formld-
able head wind fought against the boats.
1t lasted q mile and with its exit took away
what little appearance Harvard exhibited of
team-rowing.
At the first mile flag Yale's lead length
ened into winning one of four lengths,
and it was evident that unless the bottom of
the boat dropped out, the Yale shell was
destined for another victory. The breeze
left its traces in the Yale boat and gave the
Harvard coachers hint of "what might
have BEEN had their men only made q
closer fight.
Near the mile and half post, Yale port
oars showed pronounced traces Of discord.
Treadwsy, the stroke for that side of the
boat, began the trouble by splashing. He
cut up the foam like freshman and only
repeated calls from Coxswain Olmstead re-
called him to form. The mischief was
temporarily felt, and the Yale keel warbled
uneveply for couple of lengths. 1t was
significant of the thorough training of the
eight that they regained their former clock
work swing SO speedily and ran the shell
along like an arrow over the surface of the
water to the finish. When the boats passed
the mile and half post Yale was six lengths
to the good and at the two mile stake, Yale
led by 10 lengths.
At this stage Coxswain Day sprapg into
prominence by executing original official
tactics. His eyes must have been elsewhere
than upon the course ahead. for he found
himself confronting the mile flag, with
slight but decided tendency toward running
on the wrong side of it. This would have