The record-union., 1895-07-10
REGATTA IN ENGLAND.
The Great Challenge Cup ROwed
for On the Thames.
CORNELLS CREW GOES OVER THE
COURSE ALONE.

The Leander's Men. Present Holders
of the Trophy, Refuse to Row TIE
Distance, Owing to an Alleged
BIunder Made by the Umpire In
Giving the Signal to start-The
Yankee Boys Officially Awarded
the Heat.
HENLEY, July 9.-The weather was
cloudy In the early hours OF the morning
and 1t was greatly feared that the princi-
pal feature of the Thames rowing would
be marred by rain, but the clouds Hited
about 10 o'clock and the sun shone
brightly, while there was a refreshing
breeze all along the river. The entire
length of the regatta course was lned
with craft of every description, ana
crowds of people gathered on the banks
OF the river long before there was any
sign of activity among the crews. The
inclosed grand stand on the Berks SIDE
of the finish was packed with beautifully
dressed ladies and their escorts, ana
every accessible point along the course Oh
both sides was jemmed with sight-seers.
Last year the attendance was enormous,
but to-day's crowd eclipsed all previous
gatherings. House-boats were more
numerous than ever, and the demand for
them was SO great that the most eXorol-
tant prices charged for their rental were
paid without grumbling. The Cornel
crew was the center Of interest, and the
Argonaut Rowing Clubs four OF Toronto
attracted full share of attention.
The principal event of the day was the
eight-oared race Tor the grand challenge
cup, which is rowed in heats, the final
one being in the last days numbers. The
crews entered were: Leander Boat Club,
the holder of the cup; the Thames Row
ing Club, the London Rowing Club, the
New College {Oxford) Rowing Club. the
Cornell University Boat Club, Trinity
Hill Cambridge Rowing Club and the
Eton College Rowing Club.
The first heat was won by Trinity Hall.
who beat the London Rowing Club by
six lengths. The second heat was won
by the Eton eight, who beat the Thames
Rowing crew length and quarter.
Then came the heat OF greatest interest
to English and Americans. The Cornell
crew had drawn TO contest with the eight
of the Leander Boat Club, which won the
cup last year and were considered the
strongest crew entered in the race. The
wind was blowing strong oil the Berks
shore. which favored the Cornells, who
had drawn position on that side. q. ..
Francis, the manager OF the Cornell crew,
was unable to be taken on board the um-
pire's launch, which follows the boats
over the course, as Mr.. Willard. the UNI
pire, thought she was already filled.
l.. ont- cd A w
ready?'' the Leanders shouted NO"
but apparently Mr.. Willard did not hear
them. as he said GO" and the COrnells
went off in good style. The umpire's
launch did not follow for some time, but
gs the Cornells showed no sign Of stop
ping the launch eventually followed
them down the course, while the Lean
ders remained at the starting point The
Corneils, after rowing at pretty fast
pace for while. reduced their speed
until their stroke was little less than pad
ding. They occupied eight minutes and
eleven seconds in going over the course
The Cornell boys, of whom there was a
large number present, ran along the
tow path, cheering the men and filling
the air with the Cornell cry. which was
taken up by the Americans occupying
the shores. The scene was very exciting.
In the meantime the Leander crew re-
manned at the post, declaring that they
would lodge protest against the heat
being given to Cornell. 1t appears that
when the umpire asked If they were
ready, some one in the Leander boat
said ''Yes," whereupon the word was
given. Almost at the same time the
stroke of the Leanders shouted NO"
The Leanders, or a part of them at
least, made faint attempt to get away as
the Cornells started, but IL was evident
that the crew had no intention of going
over the course, though for what reason
nobody can imagine. As far as anyone
could see, they were quite as ready as the
Cornells were, though it may be true that
they were not ready. Anyway, IL was q
very unfortunate mishap. to say the least.
The Leanders have protested the heat.
and it remains TO be seen whether the
Cornells will be allowed to retain it or
not.
In the first heat of the Grand Challenge
Cup the Trinity Hall crew drew ahead
Immediately, and at Temple Island they
were quarter of length IN the lead.
At the Rectory. about quarter of the
distance, they were clean length ahead.
Their time at the taWley Court boat
house, midway of the course, was min
utes 10 seconds. They were then two
lengths ahead, and kept increasing this
lead until they won by good four
lengths. Their time for the full course
was minutes 80 seconds. The London
Clubs boat at no time had a chance OF
winning.
In the heat between Thames and Eton.
the former led slightly just after the
start, but the Elton boys were quarter OF
length ahead at the quarter mile, halt a
length at the rectory, and three-quarters
of q length at the farm. Their time at
Fawley Court boat-house was three
minutes and thirty-two seconds. when
they were length and quarter ahead.
The Eton boat was steered badly, being
kept too much in the middle of the
river, but this did not prevent their VIM
ming by length and quarter, covering
the course in seven minutes and thirty
four seconds.
The Argonaut Rowing Clubs four and
the four OF the london Rowing Club
rowed a terrific race in the first heat for
the Stewards Challenge Cup. The
Argonauts reached a stroke of forty-two
TO the minute, and the Londoners rowed
at forty stroke. There was never a
distance of half length between them,
and first one led by few feet and then
the other. Coming to the winning point
the London crew made final effort, and
the Canadians, feeling the effect of their
tremendous exertion. were beaten by
about three feet. The finish was so close,
indeed, that it was st first thought that
the Argonauts had won, and reports 10
that effect were flashed broadcast by
wire, while the crowds along the banks
of the river expressed their regrets that
the Londoners had been beaten. The