The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-07

present, such an important feature Of
the Henley regatta.
At the start every competing boat
must carry a flag at its bow, showing
its college or club colors, and any in
Engagements of the rules lay the crews
open to disqualification.
The course over which all the races
are rowed is exactly one mile and five
hundred and fifty yards long
The start is made just below Temple
island on the Bucks buckingham
shire) side of the river, and is prac-
tically straight course from start to
finish, the bends of the river being
very slight and not of nature to
bother any competent coxsWain.
The races are rowed with the stream,
which runs at the rate of about three
miles an hour.
While piles at frequent. even dis.
tances are used to plainly marx out
the course on both sides of the river
and white flags upon the piles at each
quarter mile mark these distances.
The width of the course, between
the piles, is $50 feet.
Next to the racing, the great fea-
lures of Henley, during regatta week,
are the fleets of households which
are ranged on the Bucks side of the
river and which extend to all intents
and purposes from Temple Island, at
the start, to Phyllis court, which is al
most opposite the finish.
Phyllis court is a beautiful and pic
tufesque place, having a velvety lawn,
shaded by magnificent eIrns, which ex-
tends house itself to the river side,
where it is about eight or ten feet
above water. The lawn of Phyllis
court on regatta days is one of the
most attractive sights, as it is occu-
pied by crowds of gaily dressed la
about beneath the shade of the old
elmS and witness the boat racing I'M
der conditions which naturally excite
the envy of the less fortunate excur-
siOnists
Above Phyllis court is the Isthmean
club, to which the majority of the row.
ing men belong. They have charming
quarters and the grounds are bright
with many colOred tents and garden
seats.
Further on is delightful institution
known as "Clubland," to which mem
bers of any recognized London or well
known out-Of-tOwn club are admitted
1t has a reserved lawn for ladies and
is very popular during the regatta
week.
From Clubland on, up the course, the
houseboats, made wonderfully beauti-
full with floral decorations, some of
them being actually floating flower gar
dens, are mOOred or anchored side by
side, painted in the brightest of colors
and having over them awnings and
iron rods on which are attached lines
OF cOIOred lamps which are lighted at
night and which transform the river
into a delightfully."- Illuminated specta-
Gle. On the largest house boats bands
of music do their best to make matters
still more interesting, and on board the
smaller ones amateur musicians sue
coed in making their friends happy or
unhappy, according to the circum-
stances and the skill of the perform
erS and the endurance of the gay par
ties within hearing.
On the Berks (Berkshire) side of the
Thames in this vicinity there is a wide
fiat plain which extends from the river
for about half a mile at the end of
which distance beautifully wooded hills
almost rlvaiing those about Cliveden.
now the residence of William Waldorf
AStor, rise picturesQuely grand form
most pleasant contrast to the lower
surroundings.
Berks side of the river, and along it the
friends of Yale expect to run today and
cheer the American crew to victory.
There, however, the rushing crowd is
motley and generally unpleasant to all
but rowing enthusiasts. Gypsies, male
and female, in various shades of sobri-
ETY. and cleanliness. minstrels, three
card artists, policemen, college athletes,
Arrys and 'Arriets in holiday attire,
swarm on and about the towing path
and JoStIng and more or less angry
exchanges OF personalities are not in
frequent. But, as a rule, there are not
many serious outbreaks and the ex-
citement of racing usually seems to dis
pei ill-humDr.
On the Berks side of the river there
is but one club enclosure, that of the
GrOsvenOr, q select place Of meeting
from which good view of the racing is
obtainab1e.
The grand stand, at the finish. only
holds about 500 people, but it is com
Portable, attractive, admirably situated
and is enclosed by an iron railing. It
has lawn, upon which military band
plays, and a convenient refreshment
tent The name of the winning crew
and that of the winning oarsman are
displayed at the end of each race, on
the Umpire'S launch, on the telegraph
at the winners float and at the grand
stand.
There is one judge and two UNI
pires; all three of them are, as a rule
veteran Oxford or Cambridge oarsrnen
who have won fame on the Thames in
former years and whose decisions and
orders are entitled to the greatest re-
Spect and obedience.
For the press, a nice little enclosure
is provided near the grand stand. It
consists of a stand and a lawn, at the
back of which is special telegraph Of
fee with instruments for some thirty
operators.
Before and between the races the
river is a mass of rowboats and launch
es; but, prior to the starts in the differ
ent events. bells begin ringing and con
tinue SO doing for three minutes, the
time which is allowed for cleaning the
course. At the end of that time, if
there are any stray boats in the way
the police take hand in the proceed
ings.
The gun is fired when each race is
started and all races are started with
out reference to absentees. Conse-
quentIy it behooves all crews to be at
the starting post on time.
The grand challenge cup. for eight
oars is open to any crew of amateurs
who are members of any university or
public school, or who are officers in the
British army or navy, or are mem ,3ers
of any amateur club established at least !
one year previous to the day of entry
The minimum weight for coxswains
is SO pounds; crews averaging 147
pounds and under 154 pounds must car
ry not less than a los pound coxswain
and deficiencies must be made up by
dead weight TTfa6 "a fT7ser
thwart, where it will be placed and re-
moved BY q person anIninte.d h1z the