Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-26

NJ New York.
The coming summer promises to be an
Interesting one in the boating circles of
Washington, although the season so far
has not been wholly favorable. The early
spring weather was raw and cold here,
and boating had got well started in
some OF the northern cities before the crews
here could get to work. During the past
week and more. also. when the oarsmen
who wished to get in shape for Decora ton
day were hoping for good weather. the
rains have swollen the river and made II
50 rough, besides filling it with drift wood
and floating logs, that there has been no
show for rowing at all. But notwithstand-
ing the somewhat backward season, the
men have gotten in some good work this
year when they had the chance. and some
good crews are expected to appear on the
river this summer. The oarsmen generally
are looking forward to a very bright sea-
son. and the interest and enthusiasm in
boating seems to point that way.
little earlier in the year it was thought
that at least two Of the local clubs. the
Potomacs and the Columbus, would figure
In the Newark races on Wednesday The
Potomacs, however, have given up the idea
on account OF the delay in the completion
OF their new eight-Oared SHE'LL which the
H.
building 1t seems that there was a mis-
understanding in the contract, the Poto-
macs expecting it to be done by the last of
May and the builders expecting 1t to be
done by the last Of June. 1t is needless To
add that what the builders say will have
TO go. The CClumbias also have been PLAN
ming to send a four TO Newark, but NAV
possibly have to abandon the scheme on
account OF the see-saw weather of the past
week All three Of washington's climbs
however the Potomacs, Columbias and
analOstans, expect TO enter the Fourth of
July races at Philadelphia and will proh
aoiy nave their crews in corking good
shape by that time.
1t seems probable that the Potomac river
Regatta will be held earlier this year than
usual Nothing has been done yet toward
arranging for the event. Boating men
however, realize that II has commonly been
Leid 100 late In the season. The custom
has been TO put IL of until some time in
september. when 1t was difficult TO get a
large representation OF first-class crews and
tle river is not the most healthy sort of
resort 20 spend much time on. II possible,
IL Will be rOwed earlier this year
mere are three boating Organizations in
!" ashlngton-the Potomac Boat Club. the
AhaIoStin Boat Club and the Columbia
Athletic Club. The first two named clubs
are purely boating clubs. The Columbia
club although originally a boating club. is
now interested in nearly every other
branch Of athletics in addition 10 royvino
inere mas always been strong rivalry be-
tween the clubs
A Longtime Favorfte.
Inc Potomac Boat Club Is the Oldest In
the city. and Is we'll known over the conn
Try as leading boating organization. It's
crews have entered races almost every
"here Tor nearly a half a century. and
nave many trophies, medals and banners Of
ha-d-won victories. The club was organ
with
seven persons. OF these. Frank Jones' Ned
Derrick, E A. McElod, Messrs. Cropley and
u j. johnson, still remain with the club
curing the year SO the membership of the
Fotonacs rose to about 200 persons 1t
now has about 100 names on its rolls and
Owns the boat house at the foot of 31st
street The property. which is free from
cebt. Is valued a about $50 600 The crews
OF the club have met with success in MANY
quarters. During the existence of the Vir-
GINA State Rowing Association about nine
years ago. the Potomacs invariably cap
t1red the first prizes. In SO the famous
big four crew was organized consisting
or H w. ElmOre =. J. Robinson E r.
reynolds and /. s. Deye-. The victories Of
this crew were phenomenal and deserve
more than passing mention. The races
which the big four won were the Poto-
mac river regatta IN 1853, Junior tours de-
featinS the AnalOstars CoIurnbias and
Eltzabe of New Jersey in the first race
ana in the second race on the same day.
senior four5. defeating the COlumbias and
al mounts OF Philadelphia, the champions
at that time; the Passaic river regatta in
1856. senior fOurs, defeating the Institutes
OF Newark; the Virginia State Rowing AS
sociation, senior fours, and the Potomac
river regatta senior tours. in 1856: the Vir-
ginia State Rowing Association senior
tours, on July 4. 1851; the Potomac river
regatta, senior tours. in 1857, and the Pa
taPSCO river regatta in 1855, defeating the
Column D.ds and Ariels of Baltimore. All the
eight races were rOwed without a break
The eISht-Oared crews have also done we'll
a rema- kable feature about them Is that
tae present captain Of the club, John Had