The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-02
It WAS COLUMBIl's DAY
Won Two Fights and a Four
in Yesterdays Regatta.
GREATEST EVENT IN YEARS
Potamac's Shores Crowded by Nu-
merous and Fashionable Throng to
Witness the Events-Philadeiph
Again Won Senior Prize-BaItimci.'
Won by Default.

feet, and Potomac's day for hard and
superb artistic work which must win the
prizes some day on the Potomac.
1t was ladies' day and everybody's day
for all who have learned to appreciate the
fine work that our mariners aud their friends
from abroad can do in the local annual re-
gatta.
The Potomac River Regatta is always
anticipated as the distinct event of the
high summer season. The contests OF yes
terC!ay presented features which made this
return Of the great day the most interest
ing event on the Potomac within the past
ten years; while some of the more enuhu-
siasiic of the local Corinthians declared
1t to have been the most successful since
the Inauguration of the regatta as au
Institution here sixteen years ago.
The conditions OF Weather were superb,
the assemblage on the river and on both
shores was conspiciously numerous and
gay, two of the great municipal sisters of
Washington entered for the prizes, and the
nome sinew and muscle, while hospitabie
enough, won three out OF the most eXcit-
Ing and most warmly contested races.
There was bracing, snappy breeze on
the wing all the afternoon from the south
east. which towards the close of the re-
gatta stiffened into a good blow from the
east. The sky was overcast. but OCCASION
ally there was a break in the clouds, through
which the hot rays flashed a reminder of
what hot work there would have been for
of these clouds.
AGAINST WIND AND TIDE.
As the home stretch was westward in
all the races, the earlier events of the
afternoon were against wind and tide,
Instructions which only served to give
The oarsmen zest for the work and an
,thcr incentive to victory. The breeze
was at all times strong enough to keep
The bosom OF the old river alive with
The ripping and dancing of its yellow
waves.
1t was a fortunate circumstance that
The course chosen was that known as the
upper course" for the lower course, on
which some of the regattas have been
Towed, was yesterday quite a stormy mass
of water, receiving the full effect of the
wind which dashed it into anything but a
course for frail barge or shell.
TIE popularity of the upper course was
demonstrated by the great crowds which
went out to do honor TO the event. The
Aqueduct Bridge, which Is fine line OF
vanta &c, being about midway o. the course,
held possibly two or three thousand people.
c. A. c. has been the sole rendezvous for
the ladies, but yesterday the Potomacs
kept open house, as crow ded halls and bal
ronies testified, and also the Analostans.
both of which are remote from the eastern
finish of the races. All the wharves from
Potomac boathouse to the Aqueduct Bridge
were crowded, as were the little and big
ships along shore, scows. barges, and
canoes, while some adventurous parties
found comfortable resting places on piles
of wood and shifting sands.
The lighthouses, however, held the spe-
cially interesting contingents. 1t was ex-
pected that the c. A. C. clubhouse would
have been taxed for accommodations, and
Il was. The veranda was packed,
and the roof, on which were placed
chairs. crowded with fair gazers
gave the impression from the river CT a
Jolly roof garden party. The girls at
the other lighthouses contented themselves
with being numerous and pretty, without
getting so high in the air about it.
1t was Co be noted that last year these,
patrons of the regatta were arrayed in
their lightest robes and gayest colors.
Yesterday there was q conspicuous alb.
pence of lawn, dmity and wash silks,
but there were challes galore, all wool
Ind a yard wide in the sleeves, and other
stuffs proof against southeast winds
laden with humidity. Not that there
was any lack of colors or color in these
ladies' Of Corinth. 1t was all color, anima-
hon, variety and vivacity.
SCENE ON THE RIVER
The vis-a-vis of the charming picture
was water piece. Opposite the boat
houses there was a CATION OF small
traft, some with white sails and some
without sails, the mosquito fleet OF the
river Most of these carried passenger lists
IN the ratio of 1S to l, the one being the
nan who did the work, sculliDg or row.
ng. These gay crowds were patriotic
Enough to carry the United states flag at
heir bows and mast-heads, and what with
heAe and the handsomely clad women
and children aboard, all rocking under the
Influence of the tide against a keen breeze,
hey made a bright and lively spot on the
nyer. These free-booters encrua ched so
lear on the south and southeast that the
sourse for at least half of its distance
was literally almost inclosed.
The yacht Rex, with a private party on
board and flying the Winged Arrow pen
Dant, challenged admiration and atten-
lion as t steamed up and dow the river,
following the racers. Commodore Sutton
was out In entire command of the Joe
Blackburn, the occasionally needed police
boat, and the Little Shady, with lsdy
at the wheel, was among the swift little
craft always in view. II was not all
symphony of tints and panorama. There
was the shrlll concert of steam whistles,
to say nothing OF the times when the crowd
rose en- mass to cheer some exciting finish.
There was one party who saw ii all under
the most pleasing conditions, the commit
teemen and the members of the press, on
board the Bartholdi, the charter steamer
for the regatta. The Bartholdi carried
rooters for all the home clubs, for Phila-
delphia, and for Baltimore.
ON THE REFEREES BOAT.
A jollier set never got together, and it
was the expected which happened, that
they closed with concert of up-to-date
songs, after all that buttermilk and chicken
sandwich, and Cuban cigar smoke The
crew of the Bartholdi went on an excursion
Immediately after the last race, making the
rounds of the lighthouses, which they
rheered enthusiastically and indiscrimi-
pately.
Altogether IL was q fine time the public
bad with the Potomac River regatta peo-
pie. Next season, perhaps. all the vessels
IN port will, or should, fly all their flags
and signals to show that they are alive to
the occasion.
There was only one piece of Inconvenience
to the splendid arrangements. When the
boats were getting ready for the second
Face four-masted ice vessel hauled by a
tug took the right OF way and delayed the
line up.
And there was only one comedy of a race,
that of the Junior singles. The Philadel-
phia man in this contest, a superb specimen
of the athlete, and with a handsome face,
walked away with the victory.
The home folks had a splendid family
fight in the last race for the intermediate
Fights. The finish in this race made peo-
pies nerves Jingle. Itwas exciting in the
superiative degree.