The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-21
AQUATIC CLUB REGATTA
A LARGE CROWD PRESENT TO WIT.
NESS THE EVENTS.
Not as Many Entries as Anticipated
The Indians Defeated in
Double Canoe Race.

Hardly a prettier spectacle could have
been witnessed than the annual regatta
yesterday of the Indianapolis Aquatic Club
at Broad Ripple. While the events were
not many there were enough to make the
afternoons sport worth witnessing. Sew
eral hundred of the clubs friends, wearing
little tags on which the clubs pennant was
printed, partook of the hospitality of the
club and had seats on the houseboat
About o'clock the early arrivals began to
make themselves prominent by getting out
the canoes. Every available craft at that
point of the river in during the
afternoon. The crowd became so great on
the houseboat that it caused Captain Rob-
inson Il great amount of worriment. The
boat would list from side to side the
crowd surged over to the edges to watch
the different events in the water
The managers of the regatta experienced
some difficulty in getting the starters ready
for the first event. 1t nearly o'clock
when Carl Fisher, official starter, gave the
warning gun for the first event. The
houseboat had been towed across the river
opposite from Broad Ripple Park. The
huge raft on which placed the diving
ladders was moored about one hundred
yards farther east. Along the shadows Of
the river bank were about one hundred
boats of different makes and colors. In
each was a gaily dressed young woman and
q young man. AS the boats were strung
out over the course the sight was imposing.
SINGLE CANOE RACE.
After some parleying the single canoe
race for one hundred yards was started.
Three starters set off. and Guy Robbins led
all the way. Behind him about boats
length was Carl Fisher. and following close
behind Fisher came Stewart Maxwell. The
timekeepers forgot to look at their watches
at the finish and no time record was kept.
Gold and silver medals were given to the
first and second in the race
In the 100-yard open swimming match
there were not as many entries as expected:
Although there were nearly one nunofs sa
afternoon but three boys entered the race.
Robert Scott, jr. the winner OF last year
tournament, was again the winner In the
open race He was closely pressed by
Harry Hammond and James Manion. The
race was close and great excitement was
evinced. Time, 1:56 20.
The third event. a single canoe race, was
omitted, owing 10 lack or starters Inc
entries from the Aquatic Club did not care
to take any chances on firing themselves
in this race as they wanted to be in shape
for the race with the Indians.
The fourth event, 100-yard swim, for the
Y. NJ c. A championship. was contested
with a great amount or spirit. but Few
entered in this event, yet Robert Scott, the
winner of several other similar events. had
no terrors for Gardner Coffin and several
other little fellows from the Y NJ c. A.
The race was give and take for about
eighty yards when Scott shot out from
Gardner and won by about two feet. scott S
sprint in this race was wonderful to wit
ness - 1872, ,>-,,,.>,c
The really big event of the afternoon was
the double canoe race between members of
the Aquatic Club and four members of the
Winnebago tribe OF Indians. This race
was for three hundred yards. The red men
handicapped somewhat in using
single oars while their opponents used
double oars. Nevertheless the race was ex-
citing, as the Indians kept up with the
pale faces and for awhile it looked as if
the race would be won by the Indians
Guy Robbins and Elliott Davis executed
some clever work In forging their boat to
the front when about fifty feet from the
tape. William Berner and Stewart Max
well were the second pair to finish and
Gavin Payne and Carl Fisher crossed the
line third. The Indians were close behind
The work of the members OF the Aquatic
Club in forcing their shells ahead so
quickly took all the nerve out OF the In
dams and they dropped their paddles when
the Indians made a better and gamer race
than last year Time for the course 1:l0ls
II was alleged by number of the Aquatic
CluD that in the start in the double canoe
race one of the Indians forced his boat over
the bow Of "a club boat and fouled them.
After the races the raft was lowed back
in front Of the houseboat, where the diving
exhibition took place. Gavin L. Payne won
first prize for long distance diving with
+. P. Whitlock second and James Manion
third.
In the fancy diving contest Harry Ham
mond won first and James Manion second
prize. Big Wave and Little Bear. two In
dams. went over to the raft 10 take part
In the diving events. but after arriving
there fiuked. One OF the humorous events
Charles Maxwell and William Berner
dressed themselves in a ridiculous style.
The Maxwell brothers were made up as
the character Of country woman They
set out in fat boat and after riding the
waves OF a passing steamer for some time
In the hope Of overturning their boat
started a quarrel among themselves and
all were tumbled into the water. With their
heavy clothes they had some difficulty in
getting over TO the raft The incident
created a great deal Of amusement