Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-31
AMERICAN HENLEY.
Plans for One Decided On by
Local Boating Men,
WAcHusETT CLUBS IDEA.
An Enthusiastic Meeting on
Pearl St., Wednesday Night.
Proposed to Hold Regatta as Part Of
the semi-centennial Exercises This
Year-Committee TO Prepare Con-
stitution and Bylaws for Gov
erning Board.


opportunity of witnessing :he finest re-
gatta in the worl1 on Lake Quinsiga-
mond, this summer. This was decided
at a meeting of enthusiastic boating
men, Wednesday night, at the office of
Sullivan & OConneli, 10 Pearl street.
The meeting was the outcome of plan
outlined by prominent members Of the
Wachusett Boat Club, who advocated
holding an annual regatta on Lake
Quinsigamond on lines similar to those
of the Henley royal regatta This plan
was discussed at a recent meeting of
the Wachusett Boat Club, and met with
general favor among the members, to
such an extent that committee was
appointed to take the initiative in Sc
curing the regatta and invite the CO.
operation of other boat clubs at the
lake and citizens generally who are in
terested in boating.
The idea of holding a regatta in this
country on lines similar to the Henley
royal regatta, has been discussed by
boating men and the press all over the
country since Ned Ten Eyck's victory
at Henley last summer. Tine universal
decision was in favor of such regatta,
but nobody appeared willing to foster
the scheme. 1t is generally conceded
that no better regatta course exists in
the world than at Lake Quinsigamond; ;
and the Wachusett Boat Club, which
has always been foremost in promoting
aquatcs at the lake, decided, If there
was to be an american Henley" it
would be well to lay plans. A leader
for such a regatta was suggested in
having a single scull race open to anna
teurs of the world, the winner to be
acclaimed the champion amateur single
sculler of the world. Such an event, it
was believed would be successful and
popular with scullers, as there is no
race in the world, where the winner can
lay just claims to champion. The near
est approach to this is the Henley royal
regatta where the race for the diamond
sculls is contested. But even the win
ner of this, although often referred to
as champion of the world, has no just
claims on the title, owing to the con-
ditions governing entrance.
The race is open to amateurs, but
only to amateurs in the English con-
struction of the word. This construc-
ton is narrow, and would, in many in
stances, bar much better sculler than
any who compete. Owing to this condi-
tion of affairs. it was believed a cham
pionship single scull race would be an
excellent innovation for regatta in this
country. This idea was warmly ap-
proved by those who are movers In the
scheme, and it meets with the approval
of ell who have become interested in the
idea. AT the meeting Wednesday night,
representatives were present from the
Wachusett and Lakeside boat clubs; also
several prominent citizens of Worcester
who are devotees of boating. The meet
ing was called for the purpose of
sounding public opinion in the matter,
and the result showed that everybody
was interested.
The meeting was called to order at $50
o'clock by John E. Sullivan, chairman
of the committee on the part of the Wa
cEusett Boat Cub. Temporary organ
ization was effected by the choice Of
Councilman A. M, Powell as chairman
end j F. ]. Herbert as secretary. Let
ters, regretting inability to attend the
meeting, were read from Arthur O.
knight of the Tatassit Canoe Club and
James S. Aborn Of the Lakeside Boat
Club. Both gentlemen, however, de-
clared their sympathy with the idea,
and pledged their support, if it was de-
cided to hold the regatta After per-
fecting the temporary organization,
John E. Sullivan, Esq, who has given
the subject considerable thought, out
lined the plan upon which it was pro-
posed to hold the regatta.
He spoke of the Henley and the severe
conditions governing the entry of an
amateur, in the broad American sense
of the word, and pointed out that no
race is held in the world where the
winner can justly claim championship
title. Mr.. Sullivan also referred to the
excellence of the course at Lake Quin-
eigamond, and the spasmodic attempts
to hold a regatta there. These regattas
were spasmodic owing to the fact that
1t was impossible to get much from the
New England association, from the fact
that the strength of the association was
in Boston. He believed boating men of
Worcester should inaugurate an annual
regatta of their own, SO that the peo-
pie Of the city who were interested in
boating would not have to depend upon
the New England association for their
sport.
He suggested holding the regatta this
year the first week In June, but after
ward would favor holding the regatta
after the races of the national associa-
ton. The early date was preferable
this year. as the city will celebrate it's
semi-centennial early in June, and he
believed it would be well to have the
regatta as part of the celebration.
Another reason for holding the races
early, was the assurance that Ned Ten
Eyck who will sail for England about
June H. would be one of the contestants
in the championship event He would
make this event the foundation of the
regatta, and besides would suggest races
for e.ghts, fours, doubles and singles.
The prize for the championship event
should be perpetual, and should always
be in the control of the executive COM
mittee.
The cost of this prize might not be
above $500. Besides this an Individual
prize would be given the winner and a
banner given to his club. In the other
races individual prizes would be offered
and banners to winning clubs. Although
1t was opposed to hold the regatta as
a part of the semi-centennial exercises
this year. Mr.. Sullivan did not favor
asking the city government for any ap-
preparation for the regatta and believed
the necessary financial support would
be supplied by citizens of the city.
Charles F. Aldrich, President j. H.
Meagher of the Wachusett Club, H II.
Bigelow, w. H. Fuller, James A. Ten
Eyck and others spoke on the matter,
all agreeing with the ideas suggested
was then discussed, and 1t was the gen
eral opinion that the regatta could be
held every year for less than $1,000, al
though the cost for the first regatta
would be more expensive on account of
purchasing the perpetual prize. The
matter of government was then dis
cussed and the general opinion was IA
vorable to some organization similar to
the stewards of the Henley Royal re-
gatta. The plan was to get a governing
board numbering about 25 who should
hold office as long as they chose to, and
this board to have general supervision
of the regatta. The mayor OF the city
wllbe made honorary president of the
bpafd,f
On motion Of Mr.. Sullivan, Chairman
Powell appointed John E. Sullivan, Chas
r. Aldrich, James S. Aborn, P. H. Hur-