The Worcester spy., 1899-06-30

The race of the fours had hardly been
finished when the judges boat, the
yacht Parthenia, got under way for
her position at the finish of the varsity
eight race. and the official yachts COM
pleted the arrangement for the race
between the freshmen eights. Both
crews were already at the starting
point, which was at the two-mile flag
Just off the navy yard. Yale had
drawn the western course, Harvard
the eastern.
The conditions for this the second
race, were better, if possible, than
those under which the previous race
had been rOWed. A strong out going
tide caused considerable trouble at the
start, but at about AS both crews were
ready and the starting shot was fired.
Harvard was the first to find the water.
and the two boats We're off. It was a
false start, for almost Immediately No
in the Harvard shell raised his hand
as a signal that something was wrong
in the crimson boat.
1t had been previously agreed that
should any mishap arise before ten
strokes had been rowed, the crews
should be called back. Accordingly
Referee Meikleham instantly whistled
the signal of recall and the race was
temporarily off. 1t developed that No.
in the Harvard boat had jumped his
slide. The Yale eight had pulled sew
eral hundred feet down the course be-
lore the men appreciated the fact that
the start was a false one. This caused
delay which was tedious to spectators
and narrowing TO Oarsmen. The boats
maneuvred for their positions. and at
! 4.5S they were successfully sent away
Yale took the lead instantly. rowing
! magnificently. Harvard, too, was pull
ing in beautiful style, and it was clear
that the freshman race was to be 4
great contest. At the half mile Yale
led by a meagre half length. Here
both crews did some splashing. At
the mile, Yale was in better form. and
she had acquired a lead of one length
! 1t looked like a Yale win, but in the
final stretch the only unfortunate in
cident Of the day occurred.
As the Yale freshman shell reached
down to finish flag it was seen that tho
mammoth drawbridge of the New
| York, New Haven and Hartford Rail
road Company was open, and tat q
| mammoth side-wheeier excurslar
| steamer was plowing up the river d
| rectly in the course of the crews. FIX
| clamations of disgust at this glarinc
| piece of stupidity or wanton violation
I Of orders We're heard on every side
| The boat proved to be the sounC
| steamer Glen Island, swarming will
spectators, on an excursion from New
| Haven.
Shrieking whistles, shouting thou
/ sands and scurrying police boats fnall!
| served to impress upon the offending
| helmsman that he was outragcously
careless, and the big hulk turned Of
| to one side. Her wash wrought ha"ot
! with the oncoming crews. Harvard
! position on the course, on the e9steI
side of the river, saved her boat from
| serious harm. however, and impedet
her progress but comparatively little.
With the Yale boat matters wer
| worse. The blue shell was almus
| swamped; barrels Of water wcr
shipped, and the crew lost entirely hal
a dozen strokes. Meanwhile, the lea,
| which she had so carefully nourishe'
/ throughout the race was rutllessi,
| snatched by the Harvard boys. and
! few seconds later the Harvard Young