Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-27
" CORNELL | YELL
intercollegiate Boat Race at POuSh
ketpsie Won by the lthaCauS.
NEW AMERICAN RECORD MADE.
Harvard Second Mt the Finish, Penn
sylvanin Third, Columbia Very
Poor Fourth and Lnst-The Contest
Great One.

POUGHKEEPSIE. y. Y. June 26.-
Eighteen thousand people grouped upon
the picturesque banks of the Hudson, with
the last rays Of the setting sun casting
golden sheen upon the water. saw the
stalwart eight from Ithaca win first hon
ors over Harvard, Pennsylvania, and Co
lumbia II was a great race Probably
no prettier one, nor one before greater
crowd, has ever been rowed in American
waters. All conditions Of air and
water were perfect Not a flaw marred
the contest from the crack OF the start
er's pistol to the crossing Of the finish
line.
Cornell won by four lengths in 1929,
official time. Harvard was second, in
1892; Pennsylvania third, in 20I1, and
Columbia poor fourth.
As spectacular scene the race was one
long to be remembered. The course
a four-mle stretch, straight as the crow
flies, lay near the west bank Of the Hud-
son. and was spanned by the great can
tilever bridge. the finish being one mile
below that structure, and the start three
miles above. The clOudiness Of the morn
ing had given way 20 bright sunshine.
and the multitude. which had assembled
on both banks Of the river, and filed the
decks Of an imposing fleet Of yachts. ex-
cursion steamers. and pleasure craft Of
all kinds. added brightness and color
10 the scene.
An observation train. OF forty-two cars
with seats for $500 persons. and all oc-
/ cupied, pulled out of Highlands Station,
and made it's way 10 the starting
point just before the crews were sent Off
II started with the crews. and kept
abreast OF them all the way % the finish
II was filed for the most part with col
lege students or college graduates and
ladies. There were some nOtables on the
train: but while the race was on all hands
seemed 10 have lost all dignity, and
united I'm a mad chorus Of yels for the
different crews. The shouts for Cornell
drowned the others. and there was a
| flash Of red-andwhite flags as the vic
torious crew crossed the line.
out In the stream. anchored In a line
/ from the Observation-Disclosures point down
to the finish. were over one hundred
| yachts. excursion steamers. and river
craft Of every kind. Their decks were
| filled with spectators. and In the thick
cluster near the line there was danger Of
/ serious accident. The only mishaD re-
| ported, however. was collision between
the referees boat the Helvetia, and the
Albany steamer Whitney resulting i'm
a hole IN the latter's bow This occurred
/ before the race. and did not interfere with
either boats fulfilling her duties. The
revenue-cutters Manhattan and Hudson
and the police boats Walla-Walla and SUI
/ sia. aided by auxiliary lunches, as
| signed boats 10 anchorage positions. and
/ kept the course clear under the recently
passed United States law. I'm an the
/ crowd there was probably no one who did
not have a good view Of some portion Of
the race. And a grander struggle has
| seldom been seen.
THE RACE.
When the anxious crowds near the
| finish caught their first glimpse Of the
crews they were as four specks upon
! the water. Gradually .hsv drew near. and
/ took on the appearance OF racing shells,
| each boat propelled by eight strong men,
/ rowing with the precision OF clock-work.
| throwing Drawn and muscle into their
work yet moving with the science taught
/ by long training. 1t was a contest Of
! giants. and giants won. Strength and
| skill Won the day. and no crew that failed
] 10 WIN had excuses 10 make. 10 was "a
! clean victory. No crews ever raced under
more equal conditions and the vanquished
| were beaten because they were no match
| for the winners
Columbia. being on the outside and near
| est the referee caught the flash of the
starters pistol before their rivals and as
/ they took the water a loud cheer went
! up from cars 1 10 8. where a cloud Of blue
and white flags marked the followers OF
! Columbia. The others got Oft I'm order
! cf their placines from the pistol. Cornell
second. Pennsylvania third, and Harvard,
who was on the inside. and consequently
! IL Hf Hfs.
start was a very fair one, ana none Of
| the crews had any too much the best OF
/ H. Scarce twenty strokes had been rowed.
when a deep groan went up from the
| train as the champions OF last year.
! the much-fancied upholders Of Columbia,
were seen to drop back in the ruck. Be
fore 300 yards had been trayersed the
"Rah. rah, rah" Of Harvard announced
that the crimsOns had forged their boats
nose ahead OF Pennsylvania. who were
| level with Cornell. while Columbia was
already a length 10 the bad.
At the quarter-mile Harvard led Penn
| sylvania by a length, while Cornell was
/ Just about an eighth Of length behind
/ the Quakers. and a length and half
/ i'm front of the Columbia men. Coming
| up 10 the half-miie mark, Cornell drew
up to Pennsylvania canvas, and IL was
nip and tuck for second place between
them, while both crews were gaining ON
the leader. Passing the first half-mile
/ Harvards lead was cut down 20 three
quarters OF a length, while Cornell was
/ rowing along just fast enough 20 keep heI
a quarter-length in front of the quaker
crew Columbia was dropping farther
astern az If her shell were anchored
/ The crowd ceased TO take interest In her
d0ings At the three-quarter mile Har-
/ .rff Ia4 Irr haI TorffIf L. 4
her lead on Pennsylvania, while Colum-
ba was toiing along four lengths In the
Quakers' rear
Al THE MILE.
/ Cornell and Harvard were setting a thr
| ty-fve clip AT the mile but Cornell was put
! ting more force behind her stroke. and hac
| our down the Cambridge lads advantage &c
| half a length. Pennsylvania, who was
/ rowing thirty-three to the minute. helc
I Cornell TO a half-length. while the Qua
/ kCrs were still four lengths ahead Of Co
| lumb.a. The next hall saw Cornell
| creeping gradually on Harvard, and press
! ing her closely only an eighth or Length
away A length divided Cornell from
/ Pennsylvania. and Columbia was nduSlut
/ ON four lengths behind the University oI
/ PENNSYLVANIA. At this point Cornell begaf
| TO make her effort, and when the mile
| mark was passed the lthacans were only
J One-eighth of a length behind Harvard
I and were a length ahead OF Pennsyiyanla
Even-up between Cornell and Harvard
! was the order at the twO-miie nag. Cor
/ nell was still a length ahead OF 'ennsyi
| vauia, Harvard was going AZ thlrty-slN
| while COrnelrs stroke was steady al
| thirtv-fye and Pennsylvania at thirty
| three quarter OF "a mile further on saw
! Cornell wTest the vanguard position iron
! Harvard. despite the latter's desperate
/ resistance. and Pennsylvania was three
| lengths behind the Crimson.
| Then Cornell began TO show the effects
| OF Courtney's IDEAS imbiDed I'm Englan,