New-York tribune., 1900-07-29
ROWING ENJOYS A BOOM
THE NEW HARLEM RIVER COT-RsE
ALONG THE SPEEDWAY LARGELY
RESPONSIBLE

The establishment Of the new Harlem, P,v.,
course for boat races has done more 10 boon, ~
ing sport in this city than anything else r.
has happened in years This is not only becar..
the new course IS fine one much better than "a.
old one on the lower end of the river where ~.
races had been held for many years but alan n.
cause on the new course the public has every IN
portunity to witness the sport Almost the s--i-.
course alongside the Speedway which h,.
become one Of the most popular pleasure ground.
of the people
The recent annual regatta OF the National As,,
citation of Amateur Oarsmen. which comprised n.
first rowing races ever held over the new sDes4
way course. was witnessed by thousands OF peouss
where hundreds only attended the regattss hs,5
over the old course This was natural The sur
roundings OF the Old course were FAR from frvr.
ing Commerce long since took possession Of tss
banks Of the Harlem along the old course ars
crowded its piers far out into the stream tb,-
room was barely left for tugs and other craft q,
pick their way up and down Practically the orrv
comfortable places from which 20 view the races
were the houses OF the boat clubs but they could
only accommodate limited number Of spectators
But all this has been changed by the laying out a
the course, as was clearly demonstrated By II.
success Of the National Regatta An average o.
ten thousand TO twelve thousand people ATTENDED
the regatta every day. and they stayed until
the last race was decided. they apparently enjoyed
the sport.
II was LGiJ IQdI Jue regatta was a new t1l1z %
the people Of this city. although one or more -
gattas had been held on the old course annually
for years. Expouents Of souls and sweeps have
now course which TO indulge IN their favoriis
sport second 10 no other city in the country. Tas
course is not only a fine one from an oarsmaas
point of view. but unexceHed facilities are aso
afforded 10 those who would rather watch the row
ing than themselves Fully two hundred th0u-
sand spectators could enjoy the boat races over tie
new course from the Speedway and the heights bacz
Of it. The rocks on the heights that tower aboVs
the river afford natural seats for the spectatou
while the innUmerable trees provide an abuldancs
OF shade. No more pleasant surroundings couz
well be imagined than those OF this beautiful usE
rowing course.
Every par OF the course can be seen from -
Speedway. The course begins at F0rdaam HsiEaS
landing. and ends about one hundred and itT
yards below Washington Bridge, and IS one and
half miles long. The Harlem Rowing Association
which comprises the LOCAL clubs. Is anxious 2
have the next National Regatta held here. and z
fact 20 have II made permanent feature tas
many thouStnd spectators would De on ha1c y
witness il. A vast number OF people attend m
boat races on the SchUylktl at Philadelphia an
the Charles River at Boston
A proof of the impetus that has been given q
increased membership or the various Ooat sl4-s
within the last few months The growth Of tas
clubs has been remarkable. The membership q
many of them has long since reached the lint
fixed by their constitutions, and there are loas
waiting lists. This condition never existed osi'is
in the history OF boating in this city
StiH more encouragement viii be given 20 i5s
river. near along the new course A nur1os-
OF them have already done so. and II Is more taa-
probable that all of them will be UP there IN an
other year. There IS only one thing that kesls
them back. and that is the assurance that te
will not be disturbed in their homes. II costs
about S,0OO to move OF the most modest q
these lighthouses and place II spNes. ana ~
clubs naturally averse to eXpendlns u-s
money if they to be compelled 20 again ch2-ss
the site In a year two There has been move
ment foot for long time TO get the city % -
sign tract of land along the river 70 De uSea ~
the permanent sites OF the bOathOuseS Just as -as
been done in PHILADELPHIA The Oarsmen 1lss
that a measure will be passed by the next Lsss
lature whereby portion Of land opposite ~
Speedway and controlled by the Park Departls---
VIII be set aside fOv the bOathOuses- one OF ~ ~
clubs has its house there now II Is te-t ta5.
city could we'll afford 20 do this just as Pn[
delphia did for her Oarsmeu on the banks Ok "
SChuylkil in FairmOuut Park. The oea-1---
houses of the clubs IN Fairmount Park are amor
its most notable features The oarSmen VIII .
their own houses if the city viii only prV.uls
permanent site for them. IL has given the So
way for the hOrssmen at great expense, . $50
il not do little for the Oarsnen- the ~''-