The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-29

New London, June 2S-The two great
universities are again face to face on
the eve of them annual contest for
aquatic supremacy, and the question
whether it will be Yale and Harvard or
Harvard and Yale, a very vital ques-
ton to many, will probably be decided
within the next "A hours, at least the
two or three thousand college enthusi-
asts who have come in the city within
the last two days are eager for the
decision within that time.
Singular as it may seem, there APP
pears to be a perfect unanimity Of feel
ing at the Yale and Harvard head
quarters tonight as to the probable out
come of the three races which the col
lege crews will row tomorrow.
Both agree that Yale. barring ac-
cidents, has the better chance in the
great varsity race that will be rowed
for four miles down the Thames just
before shutdown.
1t is also admitted by both that the
Yale freshman crew will not have the
same advantage over Harvard in the
race of two miles up the river in the
forenoon, while as for the four-oared
race between the varsity substitutes
over a two-mile course after the fresh
man race, Harvard has certainly the
preference.
The attraction of three college boat
races on the same day is a new feature
of the sport on this time-honored
course. Last years three-cornered
race between Cornell, Yale and Har-
ward drew a tremendous crowd, but
the sport this year seems destined to
make a record for boat racing between
these two universities. This however
is subject to improved weather condi-
tons, which are looked for, although
there are no suspicious suggestions of
them.
A dark lowering sky that sent down
frequent showers, hung over the city
ali day and similar conditions still pre-
vail this evening.
Fortunately there seems more of q
chance for q light wind or calm for
tomorroWs contests than for a blow
from any direction, and this, is much to
the satisfaction Of the boating fratern-
lty, although if accompanied by rain 1t
would certainly affect the size Of the
crowd.
In any event, those who do come to
New London tomorrow will see three
well rowed contests that will be we'll
7'Orth the exertion-
The facilities for viewing the races
this year are far better than ever be-
fore. Instead of one observation train
on the right bank of the river, there
will be long trains on either bank and
those that take the cars on the left
bank will have an unobstructed view of
the last two miles of the varsity race,
as well as the entire freshmen race in
the morning.
The police arrangements this year
also are improved, and there Will be
but little crowding of boats at the fin
ish near the bridge, a disagreeable feat
ure in past years.
That there will be a great fleet of
boats to witness the contests is as
sured, for already tonight dozen or
more steam yachts have taken up po-
sitions above the bridge, while the aux
Hilary cruiser Prairie, which steamed
into the harbor, looms up majestically
and threatening with her black five
inch guns that spoke eloquently short
year ago, still protruding from her
sides.
As an added attraction in sight Of the
finish line, the two fastest yachts afloat
in American waters or as every loyal
citizen believes, in any waters, the Co
lumbia and Defender, came sail
ing grandly into the harbor this after
noon after a hard five hours race from
Newport. Those of the college element
who saw the finish Of the yacht race
off the Lighthouse at the entrance to
the harbor, witnessed a grand sight.
Both Of the crews quarters. as usual
the day before a race, received its
quota of visitors, confined, however, to
graduates, nearly all of whom had
pulled in previous races. Stories Of
hard contests and walkovers were
freely exchanged, and the old men
looked the young men over, critically,
but eneouragingly. The same confident
feeling seemed prevalent at Gales Fer
~ among the Yale men, as on many a
previous year, while at Harvard the
absence of the depression which has on
many similar occasions lost a race be-
fore it was rowed was perhaps the
most noticeable feature.
The followers Of the blue seemed to
have little anxiety as to the outcome
of the last OF the races. the varsity.
Many of the old graduates and eT-crew
men admitted that the freshmen
would have to do their best 10 win,
while as for the substitutes. csch Of
the four men were adjured TO win II
possible. They said they would. rs is
always Yale's style.
The result of the Yale and Harvard
ball game has singularly enough
changed considerably the feeling at
Redtop. Before that game the Harvard
crew felt a firm determination TO DO
and die in the attempt, but today with
a Harvard victory TO urge them on,