The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-07-05

white caps to show themselves for al
instant, but the wind was not heavy
enough at any time to hold the crews
back or compel them to use their mus
Gle against 1T.
The Heaianis took the mauka course.
the MyrtIes the makaf side OF the
channel. About five minutes after ten
the shells were seen TO be in position,
and at 10:0S12, according TO the watch
es on the judges boat, the oars made
the first dip. As the shells neared the
mile flag they We're abreast. 1t
was a pretty race down the course, and
not at any time could one she'll be
said to be ahead of the other A long.
easy stroke was pulled in each boat,
indicating they were pulling 26-stroke
gait TO the minute Excitement on the
launches increased when the shells
closed down on the first flag a half
mile away from the starting point.
Nip and tuck the boats came on,
steadily and surely. The coxswains
began TO urge their crews and the
boats seemed TO take on new life. Each
crew was eager for the victory at the
first half mile. and the competition
then began to be keen. a ripping
wave caused the Myrtle boat TO lag
behind for a few inches, but a squirt
brought her up with her rival. Swift
ly they reached the fiagpole The
judges launch was several boat
lengths in the lead, and the spectators
We're unable to tell which boat reached
the line first 1t seemed that both had
crossed it bow and bow. Even the flag
man, seemed in a quandary, and both
shells had passed him by a length be-
fore he reluctantly raised the blue flag
as If in doubt. The flag was reached
at 1912.
The Myrtles at this juncture increas-
ed their speed, the stroke dipping his
oar more rapidly and releasing the
blade oftener. The rest of the crew
responded to the new energy, and the
boat forged ahead of her rival. The
Healanis kept on with their 26-stroke.
The Myrtle stroke now measured sc.
A shout from the shore indicated that
the wearerS OF the red had seen the
movement, and their spirits came up
accordingly. The shout had its effect
on the Healanis, for the crew began
rowing faster, and soon reached the
36-stroke. Half way between the half
and the hree-Quarter-mile posts the
Healanis improved their speed, and the
new shell went ahead of the Myrtles.
When the three uarter-mile post was
reached the Healanis were three
fourths of a length in the lead. This
time the breeze brought a tremendous
shout TO the judges boat from the
shore. Up went the blue flag again.
Again the Myrtles tried TO squirt
The old lap streak shell responded TO
the energetic action of the stroke and
crew and caught up with the blues
Abreast of each other the two crews
came into full view of the cheering
crowds upon the shore. It was a test
of strength, skill and endurance at this
critical stage of the race. Seldom had
the spectators witnessed such a race
The crews bent to their task evenly
and surely. Their backs glistened with
perspirauon, and their muscles bulged
at each stroke. Along they moved,
neither boat gaining an inch on the
other.
Suddenly the Healanis changed their
tactics, and their rowing became slow
er. but heavier and longer, The shell
shot ahead of the Myrtle as the lat
ter's training wharf was reached TAX
ing advantage of their first lead, and
cheered on by the multitudes on the
shore, they redoubled their efforts The
Myrtles had host chance to lead at
the most critical stage, and from that
instant the race was lost to them
Both crews pulled grandly down the
stretch toward the finishing tape AT
each stroke of the Healanis the dis
tance between/the shells Widened - The
increase the rowers' speed, but it was
a fruitless effort. The MyrtIe's Water
loo had already come, and they We're
not in a fit condition to attempt
squirt where only herculean efforts
would have ayailed.
AT the mile and a quarter flag the
Healanis led by half a boats length.
AT this point they were Just opposite
the densest OF the crowds on shore,
who, for the first time, had an oppor-
tunity to witness the race as il should
be seen. The magnificent rowing down
to the mile flag was entirely lost 20
them. They could only see the finish,
but finish where the rowers were
almost exhausted in both shells. OPP
posite Lees yacht the Healani's began
leaving their opponents behind at each
stroke. Every second increased the
daylight between the shells, the Hea-
lanis finally pulling over the finishing
tape four lengths in the lead.
The official time at the finish was as
follows:
+ HEALANIS, f0:37Ik.
MYRTT Il 1n.1