Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-27
.ITHACA'S EIGHT WERE GREAT
Cornell Wins the Race on the
Hudson.
HARVARD GOT IN SECOND
The CIeanest Race on Record and the Best
Crew Was victorious-Banks of Color
and Beauty

thousand people grouped upon the pic
turesqne banks OF the Hudson, with the
last rays of the setting sun casting a
golden sheen upon the water, saw the
staiwart eight from Ithaca win first hon
ors over Harvard, Pennsylvania and Co.
lumbia. 1t was great race. Probably
no prettier has been rowed before
greater crowd in American waters. All
conditions of air and water were perfect.
Not flaw marred the contest from the
crack of the starters pistol to the cross
ing of the finish line. Cornell won by
four lengths in 1929. official time. Har-
ward was second in 1882. Pennsylvania
third in 20:11, and Columbia a poor
fourth.
As spectacular scene the race
was one long to be remembered. Inc
course, a four mile stretch, straight as
the crow flies, lay near the west bank OF
the Hudson, and was spanned by the
great cantilever bridge, the finish being
one mile below that structure ana the
start three miles above.
The coudiness of the morning mad
given way to bright sunshine and pleas
ure craft of all descriptions added bright
ness and color to the scene.
An observation train of forty-two cars,
with seats for $500 persons and every sear
occupied, pulled out of the Highland sta
point just before the crews were sent of.
1t started with the crews and kept
abreast of them all the way to the nnlsn'
1t was filled for the most part with COL
lege students or college graduates ana
ladies. There were some notables ON the
train. but when the race was on all hands
seemed to have lost all dignity and united
in a mad chorus of yells for the diIerent
crews. The shouts for Cornell drowned
the others, and there was flash OF red
and white flags as the victorious crew
crossed the line.
Out in the stream, anchored on line
from the three and half mile point down
to the finish, were over 100 yachts, excur-
sion steamers and river craft or every
descriptions Their decks were filled with
spectators and in the thick cluster near
the line there was danger OF serious ac-
cident The only mishap reported, now
ever, was a collision between the ref
erees boat Helvetia and the Albany
steamer Whitney. resulting IN mole IN
the latter's bow. This occurred before
the race and did not interfere With either
boat fulfilling her duties. The revenue
cutters Manhattan and Hudson ana the
police boats Walla Walla and susie, AID
ed by auxiliary launches, assigned the
boats to anchorage positions and Kept
the course clear under the recently pass
ed United States law. No boats except
the referees boat and the crews
launches were permitted to follow the
crews over the course. This regulation
gave the four crews perfectly clear
course and the water was undisturbed.
All the afternoon special trains from
New York and Hudson river towns rolled
into the depots on both sides OF the river.
All were packed with college enthusiasts
and other people anxious to see the great
race The two understood ferryboats
that ply between Highland and Pough-
keepsie pushed their way through the
waters with passengers hanging on like
flies Crowds blockaded the ferry houses
just before and Immediately after the
race. 1t was hot, perspiring crowd, but
jolly withal, for big boat race always
puts people in good humor. When the
crowd had finally distributed itself along
the grassy knobs by the rivers banks
and filled the long observation train, the
spectators themselves furnished mar
velous addition of life and color to the
scene. The long train of fiat cars packed
with gaily costumed women and men
with flags of the different colleges pre-
scented a Kaleidoscope mass of color that
was dazzling to the eye.
The yachts in the river were decked
with bunting from stem to stern, and
each group of onlookers along the shore
stood out in relief on the dark green
setting of the wooded hillsides. The
greatest gathering was near the finish,
fer all wanted TO see the victorious crew
cross the line. Venturesome lads climbed
trees and Some assembled from row boats
TO the stone piers of the bridge.
In all the crowd there was practically
none who did not have good view of the
race. And grander struggle has seldom
been seen. When the anxious crowds
near the finish caught their first glimpse
of the crews they were as four specks up
on the water. Gradually they drew near
and took On the appearance OF racing
strong men, moving with the precision OF
clock work. throwing Drawn and muscle
into their work, yet moving with the
science taught by long training. 1t was
q contest of the giant sort Strength and
skill won the day and no crew that failed
to win had excuses to make. It was a
clean victory. No crews raced under
more equal conditions, and the yanquish-
ed were beaten because they were no
match for the winners.
Columbia, being on the outside and
nearest the referee, caught the flash of
the starters pistol before their rivals.
and as they took the water first loud
cheer went up from cars one to hve,
where a cloud of blue and white flags
marked the followers of Columbia. The
others got Off In the order OF Ineir plac-
ings from the pistol Cornell getting
away second, Pennsylvania third and
Harvard, who were on the inside and
consequently furthest from the Helvetia,
got away last, but the start was very
fair one and none of the crews had any
strokes had been rowed when deep
groan went up from the train as the
champions of last year, the much fancied
upholders of Columbia, were seen to drop
in the ruck. Before 200 yards had been
traversed the "rah. rah, rah," of Harvard
announced that the crimsons had forged
their boats nose ahead of Pennsylvania,
who were level with Cornell. while Co
lumbia was already length to the bad.
At the quarter mile Harvard led Penn
sylvania by . length. while Cornell was
Just about an eighth of a length behind
the QuaIxers and length and a half in
front of the Columbia men. Coming up
to the half mile mark Cornell drew up
to the Pensyivania's canvas, and 1t was
nip and tuck for the second place be-
tween them, while both crews were gain
ing On the leader. Passing the first half
mile Harrard's lead was cut down to
three-quarters Of q length. while Cornell
was rowing along just fast enough to
keep her quarter length In front OF the
Quakers. Columbia was dropping fur
Their astern as II her shell was anchored,
and when the blue and white were done
with the crowd ceased TO take any inter-
est IN her doings The fifree-quarter mile