The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-10
CORNELL VICTOR ON A FLUKE.
THE LEANDERs QUIT AT THE START
IN THE TRIAL HEAT.

Started the Race without Them.
Cornell Rows over the Course in
Slow Time.
Henley, Eng. July s.-The weather was
cloudy in the early hours of the morning
and it was greatly feared that the princi-
pal features Of the Thames rowing season
would be marred by rain. but the clouds
lifted about 10 o'clock and the sun shone
brightly, while there was a refreshing
breeze along the river. The entire length
of the regatta course was lined with craft
of every description, ard crowds Of people
gathered on the Berks and Oxfordshire
banks of the river long before there was
any sign of activity among the managers,
committee or crews taking part In the
events of the day. The enclosed grand
stand on the Berks side of the finish was
packed with beautifully dressed ladies and
their escorts, and every accessible point
along the course on both sides was jammed
with enthusiastic sight seers. Last year
the attendance was enormous. but to-day's
crowd eclipsed all previous gatherings.
Households were more numerous than ever
that the most exhorbitant prices charged
for their rental were paid without grumb-
ling.
The Cornell crew was the center of in
terest. and the Argonaut Rowing Clubs
four of Toronto, attracted fun share of
attention
The principal event of the day was the
eight cared race for the grand challenge
cup, which is rowed in heats, the final one
being decided on the last day of the re-
gatta. The crews entered for this race
were the Leander Boat Club, the holders
of the cup, the Thames Rowing Club, the
London Rowing Club, the New College
Oxford Rowing Club, the Cornell Univer-
sity Boat Club, the Trinity Hall Cam
BRIDGE Rowing Club and the Eton College
Rowing Club.
The first heat was won by Trinity Hail.
who beat the London Rowing Club by six
lengths.
The second heat was won by the Elton
eight, who beat the Thames Rowing crew
a length and a quarter.
Then came the heat of the greatest in
terest to Englishmen 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 off the Berks
shore, which favored the Cornells, who
had drawn position on that side. G. S.
Francis, the manager of the Cornell crew,
was unable to be taken on board the UNI
pire's launch which follows the boats over
the course as Mr.. Willard, the umpire,
thought he was already filled.
When Mr. Willard asked: Are you
ready?' the Leander's shouted NO" but
n i
as he said GO" and the Cornell crew
went off in good style. The umpires
launch did not follow for some time, but as
the Cornell crew showed no signs of stop
ping, the launch eventually followed them
down the course, while the Leanders re-
mained at the starting poipt. The Cor
nell crew, after rowing at a pretty fast
pace for a while, reduced their speed until
their stroke was little less than padding.
They occupied eight minutes and eleven
seconds in going over the course. The
Cornell boys, of whom there was a large
number present, pan along the towpath,
cheering the men and filling the air with
the Cornell cry, which was taken up by
the Americans occupying house boats
along the course. The scene was very
exciting.
In the meantime the Leander crew re-
mained at the post, declaring that they
would lodge a protest against the heat
being given to Cornell 1t appears that
when the umpire asked If they were ready
someone in the Leanders boat said yes"
whereupon the umpire gave the word,
Go" Almost at the same time the stroke
of the Leanders shouted, NO" No" The
Leanders, or part of them at least, made
a faint attempt to get away as the Cornell
boat started, but ii was evident that the
crew had no intention of going over the
course, though for what reason nobody
can imagine
AS far as any one could see they were
quite as ready to start as the CornelPs
were though it may be true that they were
not ready Any way, it was very unfor-
tunated misunderstanding, 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 chal-
lenge cup the Trinity Hall crew drew
ahead Immediately after leaving the start
ing point and at the head of Temple Is
land they were a quarter of a length in
the lead. At the rectory, about a quarter
of the distance to the finish, they were
a clean length ahead. Their time at the
Fawley court boathouse, midway of the
course, was three minutes and thirty see
onds. They We're then two lengths ahead
and kept increasing this lead until they
won by a good four lengths. Their time
seconds. The London clubs boat at no
time had a chance of winning.
In the heat between the Thames and
Eton College rowing clubs the Thames
boat led slightly just after the start, but
the Eton boys were a quarter of a length
ahead at the quarter mile. half a length
at the rectory and three-quarters of a
length at the farm Their time at the
Fawley court boat house was minutes
and 80 seconds, when they were a length
and a quarter ahead. The Eton boat was
steered badly, being kept too much in the
middle of the river, but this did not pre-
vent their winning by a length and a
quarter, covering the course in minutes
and "a 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 Argonaut's
reached a stroke of forty-two to the minute
and the Londoners rowed at a forty stroke
There was never a distance of half a
length between them and first one led BY
a few feet and then the other. Coming TO
the winning post the London crew made a
final effort and the Canadians, feeling the
effects Of their tremendous exertions were
beaten by about three feet. The finish was
so close indeed, that II was at first thought
.. Arr~n 70 faI