The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-10
LEANDERs DIDN'T START.
Claim They Were Not Ready
When the Word Was
Given.
THEIR PROTEST OF NO AVAIL
The Board Of Stewards Awards the
Race to the Western
Oarsmen.

HENLEY, Eng, July 9.-The weather
was cloudy in the early hours of the morn
ing and it was feared that the principal
feature of the Thames rowing would be
marred by rain, but the clouds lifted about
10 o'clock and the sun shone brightly,
while there was refreshing breeze all
along the river. The entire length of the
regatta course was lined with craft OF every
description and crowds of people gathered
on the banks of the river long before there
was any sign Of activity among the mana
gers, committee or crews taking part in the
events of the day. The enclosed grand
stand on the Bucks 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 sightseers. Last year
the attendance was enormous, but to-day's
crowd eclipsed all previous gatherings.
Households were more numerous than
ever and the demand for them was so great
that the most exorbitant prices charged
for their rental were paid without grum-
bling.
The Cornell crew was the center OF in
terest and the Argonaut Rowing Clubs
four of Toronto attracted a full share of
attention.
The principal event of the day was the
eight-oared 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 holder
of the cup; the Thames Rowing Club, the
London Rowing Club, the New College
(Oxford) Rowing Club, the Cornell Uni
versity Boat Club, Trinity Hall (Cam-
BRIDGE 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 a length and a quarter.
Then came the heat of greatest interest
TO Englishmen anG Americans. The Cor
nell crew had drawn to contest with the
eight of the Leander Boat Club, who won
the cup last year and were considered the
strongest crew entered in the race. The
wind was blowing strongly off the Bucks
shore, which favored the Cornells, who
had drawn position on that side. G. S.
Francis, the manager of the Cornell crew,
was unable to yet on board the um-
pire's launch, which follows the boats over
the course, as Mr.. Willard, the umpire,
thought she was already filed.
When Mr.. WiIIand asked: "Are you
ready2" the Leanders shouted NO" but
apparently Mr.. Willard did not hear them,
as he said 60" and the CorneIls went off
in good style. The umpire's launch did
not follow for some time, but as the Cor
nells showed no sign of stopping the
launch eventually followed them down the
course, while the LeanderS remained at
the starting point.
The Cornells, after rowing at a 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 houseboats
along the course. The scene was very ex-
citing.
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
some one in the Leander 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 Cornells
started, but it 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 as the Cornells were,
though it may be true that they were not
ready. Anyway, it was very unfortu-
nate misunderstanding to say the least.
The falling of the Leander eight to start
was great disappointment to the Thames
oarsmen. The Leanders were supposed to
be the best crew on the river, and were
thought to have the best chance to take
the cup, and were, consequently, very
heavily backed IN the betting.
When Umpire Willard gave the word
to 60 the most intense excitement pre-
vailed Shortly after the starting signal
was given the Americans could be seen
from the Berks shore far down the river.
The Leanders were not in sight, and it was
I first supposed that the crowds of boats
along the banks obscured the view; but
this belief was dispelled when. as the Cor
nell crew neared the finish post in grand
style, the Leanders were still invisible.
Their absence at the finish created
scare among the supporters of the English
rev, and many were the reasons assigned
Tor their failure to appear. The Ithaca
men rowed fine race, and were greeted
with bursts of cheers by the spectators
many of whom took up the Cornell cry.
which was started by the friends of the
crew, and repeated again and again all
along both of the shores. When the urn-
pire's launch came up to the press in
closure, it was learned that the umpire
gave the word to start after having asked
she crews if they were ready.
Mr.. Willard states that he heard no re-
ply from either boat until Immediately
liter the start. when he heard the Leander