The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-27
CORNELL'S EIGHT
WINS THE RACE
Eighteea Thousand Persons Saw the
lthacans Do II.
HARVARD THREE SECONDS BEHIND
Pennsylvania Bad Third and
Columbia HOpelessly Out Of 1t.
Conditions of Air and Water Per.
fect.. Multitude ON the Banks and
Aboard Pleasure Craft.

bcCtee Ou tuC D0uAS 0u0
Aboard Pleasure Craft.
Poughkeepsie. n. ", June 90" 'Rah
for Cornell." Eighteen thousand peo-
pie grouped upon the picturesque banks
of the Hudson with the last rays Of the
setting sun casting a golden sheen upon
the water saw the stalwart eight from
Ithaca win first honors over Harvard.
Pennsylvania and Columbia.
1t was great race. Probably no
prettier has been rowed before great
er crowd in American waters. All con-
ditions of air and water were perfect.
Not flaw marred the contest from the
crack of the starters pistol to the
crossing of the finish line. Cornell won
by four lengths in 1929. official time.
Harvard was second, 1882; Pennsylva-
mia third, 2O.1l, and Columbia a poor
fourth, 2l15.
AS a spectacular scene, the day was
one long to be remembered. The course
was a four-mile straight-away. as the
crow flies near the west bank Of the
Hudson and was spanned by the great
cantilever bridge the finish being near
oIiV pSioN tilut 'ti uStu ethu thS
start nearly four miles above. The
multitude which assembled on both
banks of the river and filled the decks
of an imposing fleet Of yachts, excur-
sion steamers and pleasure craft Of all
descriptions, added brightness and
color to the scene. On every hand the
flags. ribbons and banners of the re-
spective colleges were seen. The steep
slopes of the highlands on the west
bank, with the railroad track at their
foot. furnished excellent points Of want
age of the race. and crowds of onloOkers
took the natural amphitheatre.
THE OBSERVATION TRAIN.
An observation train Of AZ cars with
seats for $500 persons, and every seat
occupied. pulled out of the Highland
station and made its way to the start
ing point just before the crews were
sent off. 1t started with the crews and
kept abreast of them all the way to the
finish. 1t was filed for the most part
with college students or college gradu-
ates and ladies. There were some no.
tables on the train, but while the race
was on, all hands seemed to have lost
all dignity and united in a good chorus
of yells for the different crews. Out in
the stream. anchored in line from
the 31a mile point down to the finish.
We're over 100 yachts. excursion steam
ers and river crafts of every descrip-
ton.
The revenue cutters. Manhattan and
Hudson. and the police boats. Walia
Walla and Susie, aided by auxiliary
launches. assigned boats to anchorage
positions and kept the course clear un-
der the recently passed United States
law. No boats except the referees
boat and the crews launches We're per-
mitted to follow the crews over the
course. This regulation gave the four
crews a perfectly clear course and the
water was undisturbed.
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS.
! All the afternoon special trains from
New York and from Hudson river towns
rolled into the depots on both sides of
the river All We're packed with col
!ege enthusiasts, and other people anX-
ious to see the great race. The two un-
dersized ferry boats that ply between
Highland and Poughkeepsie push d
| tlICil way Will
passengers hanging on like flies. Crowds
blockaded the ferry houses just before
and Immediately after the race. 1t was
hot and perspiring crowd. bu: withal
good natured one for big boat race
always puts people In good humor.
In all the crowd there was probably
none who did not have good view
| Of some portion of the race
A grander struggle has seldom been
seen. When the anxious crowds near
the finish caught their first glimpse of
the crews, they We're as four specks
upon the water. Gradually they drew
near. and took on the appearance of
racing shells. Each boat propelled by
eight strong men moving with the pre-
cision Of clockwork. throwing Drawn
and muscle into their work yet moving
with the science taught by long train
ing. 1t was contest Of the giants and
the giants Won Strength and skill won
the day and no crew that failed to win
had excuse to make. 1t was q clean
victory. No crews ever raced under
quished were beaten because they We're
| no natcn lOr tne winners.
THE RACE.
The start was a pretty sight. The
Columbia crew being on the outside
and nearest the referee caught the flash
of the pistol before their rivals and
they took the water first. The others
got off in the order of their places from
the pistol Cornell getting away sec
ond. Pennsylvania third and Harvard.
who was on the inside and consequent
ly farthest from the Helvetta. got away
last, but the start was fPir one, and
none of the crews had any too much the
best of It, Scarce 20 strokes had been
rowed when deep groan went up from
the train as the champions Of last year,
the much fancied upholders Of Colum-
bia, were seen to drop back in the
ruck. Before 200 yards had been trav-
erscd the "Rah. rah, rah' of Harvard
announced that the crimsons had
forged their boats nose Ahead Of Penn
sylvania who We're level with Cornell,
while Columbia was already 4 length to
the bad. AT the quarter Harvard
led Pennsylvania by length. while
Cornell was just about an eighth of a
length behind the .Quakers and length
,, and half in front of the Columbia
men. Coming up to the half-mile mark
Cornell drew up to Pennsylvania can
vass and it was nip and tuck for Sec
oHd place between them while both
crews were gaining on the leader
Passing the first mile Harvard's lead
was cut down to three quarters Of 9