New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-26
ROBERT j. COOK RETURNS.
THE YALE COACH AND THREE MEMBERS
OF THE CREW ARRIVE.


OF THE ENGLISH oAa-THE GENER-
OTIS TREATMENT ACCORDED
THE AMERICANS
Robert j. Cook. the coach Of the Yale crew
that was defeated on the 7th of this month in
the Henley regatta by the Leander crew headed
the first detachment Of the crew which arrived
in this country yesterday With Mr.. Cook came
three members OF the crew. They George
Langford. who pulled stroke; William Beard
who pulled No. f. and J. II. Simpson. who
pulled bow oar. The rest Of the crew are still
in England or Europe. Captain Tredway is
at Oxford. and Bailey is in Paris. The rest Of
the men are scattered In various parts Of the
continent.
Mr. Cook and his boys came on the American
Liner New-York, which arrived at her pier at
9:30 o'clock yesterday morning. All the Yale
men expressed themselves highly pleased
with their treatment in England. and like good
sportsmen had no excuse 10 offer for their de-
feat except that the best crew had won the race.
Bob Cook said II was the best crew In all the
world that beat Yale in the first trial heat.
A Tribune reporter boarded the New-York
from the revenue cutter when the big liner was
on her way up to her pier. The first man he
saw was Burr Mcintosh who went over with
the crew. and has been with them from the day
they left America George Langford. the stroke.
also looked over the side Of the vessel as the
revenue officers came up the ladder. Mr.. Cook
was soon found He looking hale and
hearty. and said that the boys and himself
were all well.
A ROYAL GOOD TIME.
what kind of a time did you have. Mr..
Cooke asked the reporter.
Splendid Splendidr' said the famous coach.
From first TO last we treated hand
son,ely A special train took to Henley, and
there we were met by the Mayor OF Henley and
the Councilmen The Mayor himself helped the
crew to put their shell into the water. Our quar-
ters at Henley were charming, as you have al
ready learned from the stories sent across the
water One Of the most enjoyable affairs given
In our honor the dinner given US by the
Sports Club. at which Mr. Depew and Captain
Tredway made speeches.
"The English received us in a most hospitable
manner. and throughout our stay they treated
us most courteously. We. were entertained on
every side. and not only that but forty-nine
ont 81 every fifty Englishmen really wanted US
N win The Mayor OF Henley and his wife
called the Yale crew our crew and their boat
vas decorated with blue flags and cushions.
while Of course. the many Americans present
made lots Of noise in Our behalf There was alb
so-utely no trace Of ill-feeling against America,
that is so far as We could see. They could not
have done more for us
"Our crew was in perfect physical condition al
the time Of the race. and we have no excuse to
offer The Leander men were better crew. else
they would not have beaten us. Clarke. our
coxsvain. was laid up and out Of practice for
riobt az he m
race Iongacre too suffered somewhat from
neuraIpia but he was troubled with that before
he went across II was nothing due 70 the
change Of climate. Otherwise none or the men
We're in i'll health at any time.
WILL PROFIT BY THE EXPERIENCE GAINED
Mr.. Cook thought that the experience obtained
by himself and the crew from actual contact
with English rowing would he turred to-good ac-
count in the training of future Yale crews. The
English oars he especially approved.
IF our crew had used the English oars" said
the coach 'it would have made considerable diff
ference in their showing 1t u.s. of course. impos
sible to say just how much difference the oars
made but II is certain to my mind that they
made a great difference. wanted the boys to
use the English oars we had made. but they
were bit nervous about changing. and didn't
feel at home with the ones. stuck to
our American oars. The English oars are about
four and a half inches longer than ours and
they are considerably narrower They are long
err both inboard AMI out. The oarsmen have a
longer leverage, and the oars move easier
through the water. They are better for sprint
We shall undoubtedly profit from our trip across.
Our experience will inevitably have effect
upon rowing ideas a Yale. Just the form or ex-
tent it will take it is yet too early to say
THE Leander crew OUR conquerors. consider
the finest crew in the world. and New College is
second The Leander men were older than the
Yale crew. one OF them being more than thirty
years old All England had been secured to Sc
cure them. The captain OF the crew came from
Portugal. Still. they not superior to our
in physique. They rowed better-that is
ALL"
NO FAULT TO FIND WITH THE BOAT
Mr. Cook denied the report that he had de-
cided hereafter to an English boat. saying
that he had no fault 10 find with the boat. The
only feature of IT that from present appearance
might be changed the rigging. The Yale
shell did not come on the NewYork yesterday.
1t will be brought back later when the rest Of
the crew return to this country from their
wanderings In Europe
When asked If he thought the Yale crew
would go back to England next year and make
another attempt 10 win the Henley regatta. Mr..
Cook said Il do not know. II Is quite too early
10 say ANYTHING on that point" II evident.
however that the great coach had been think
ing about the matter.
Asked if the Engshmen were likely to send
one Of their crews TO this side, Mr.. Cook
said: Il have no authority to speak on that sub
iect but | know they would like TO send boat
load here If the race could be arranged to take
Mace in their rowing season / think they would
be more unfavorably affected by our climate
than we were by theirs. They are confident over
there and so expressed themselves TO me, that
II we should return another year we should be
able TO make a better showing owing 70 the ex-
nerjance we have gained. W. W. Woodgate
who is an expert on such matters. said that ne
expected our crew would equal the best English
crew should we return for another Henley. The
Vale crew was an average crew. no more ana