Evening star., 1901-04-09
HOME FOR A VARSITY EIGHT
GEORGETOwS OARsMEN IN THEIR
NEW boat HOUSE.
Candidates for the Crew at Work on
the River-Wen Supplied
With Shells.

The Georgetown University Boat Clut
will probably be an organization Of the
near future, with headquarters in the boat
house formerly owned by the Columbia
Athletic Club, at the foot of 52d street. A
| general outline for the formation of the
club has been prepared, but the details
have not been worked out. Nothing def
mite will be announced for several weeks
though 1t seems to be an assured fact that
the boat house will be kept open the entire
year.
While the oarsmen Of the university will
train at the place and occupy it for prac-
tice work for the Intercollegiate regattas
the house will have larger field of ac-
ton. 1t Is proposed to have the building
open not only to the students of the col
lege proper, but to the law and medical
departments The plan is also being con-
sldered or including in the membership OF
the club members of the Alumni Associa-
tfon Of the varsity.
According to the notices issued by Capt.
Efmore the members Of the Columbia Ath-
letic Club, who had boats and other prop
erty stored In the building should have re-
moved them by Saturday. While many of
the private boats were taken away, there
still remains number OF others-canoes,
outrfggers and pleasure boats-whose own
ers have not responded to the call, some
being out of the city. 1t is hoped to get
these out of the way soon SO as to leave
room for boats belonging to the university.
The storage space is quite large, but the
room is pretty well filled up.
Candidates on the River.
Georgetown University took possession of
the building March 2i, since which time
the candidates for positions in the eight
have been training, and on clear days have
had work on the river.
The candidates for the crew are under
the care of Mr.. Claude Zappone, who Is
coaching the men and getting them in
shape. He performed the same duties last
year, and his work is appreciated. On ac-
count of the fact of tie base ball games
to be played this week the training of
most Of the candidates is being done in
the forenoon. The manager of the candf-
dates is William kurtZ johnson. whose
brother is member of the firm of Gurley
& Johnson, and through whom the deal for
the purchase of the place was arranged.
The captain of the eight Is Frank j. Kerns
of Worcester, Mass, formerly champion
amateur single sculler of New England,
who was also captain Of last years eight,
which made creditable showing at Pough-
keepsie despite the shOrtness of time in
which the crew roWed together and the
limited practice.
The Boats.
The oarsmen are well supplied with shells
available. Two others are on the top shelf,
but are old. and are hardly fit for the
strain Of a race. OF the eishts belonging
to the university two were bought last sea-
son, one for practice and the other for rae
ing. Two were acquired when the boat
house and contents were purchased, one Of
which is racing shell, while another will
be used for practice work. Two of the
eights are of cedar and the other two are
of paper.
Among the boats which went with the
purchase, besides the two elght-oared
shells already mentioned, We're three four
cared shells and two working boats-one
four-oared and one pair-oared, both of
which will most likely be used good deal
this season.
Three outriGgers were also included, and
one "centipede.' The large pleasure barge
is also included, with it's ten oars, capable
of accommodating thirty-two persons, and
as long as the regulation eight-oared shell.
One gunwale boat and two or three small
pleasure boats were also in the inventory,
besides an abandoned four cared shell,
which Is of no more use. In ALL about fif-
teen boats were included in the transfer,
which, Of course, includes the oars and
the tools and fixtures Of the boat house
While the purchase of the house by the
university was announced In The Star
some weeks ago. the deed transferring the
property has not as yet been placed on rec
ord. The purchase price Is said to have
been $1,000. Mr.. James P. B. Duffy will
look after the universty's interests at the
boat house
The Boat House.
The boat house is a two-story frame
building directly on the water front, and
presents fine appearance. 1t is of gener-
GUS dimensions, and perhaps has more floor
room than any of the other boat houses on
the river. On the second floor is a spa
cious balcony, with an attic balcony,
the windows OF which break the monotony
of the steep, slanting roof.
On the the first floor the entire space is
devoted to the storage of boats, there
being three atsles, extending the entire
length Of the house. on either side Of
which boats are placed on racks, while the
space against the side walls are devoted
to the storage of the smaller boats the
racing shells occupying the main portion
of the floor. Three stairways lead to the
second floor. The northern part Of this
floor is devoted entirely to locker rooms,
of which there are nearly 200, a second tier
Of lockers being in small gallery. The
shower baths are located on this floor. The
southern part Of the second floor is used
as the ball and reception room. From the
ball room to the balcony, affordinR
splendid view Of the river, four or five
large windows extending to the floor, lead,
giving plenty of light and affording easy
means of communication.
James r. Pearson has been appointed
custodian of the place. He held the same
position when the Columbia Athletic Club
occupied the house, and because of his
good work and knowledge Of boats he was
retained.
A good many repairs will be made upon
the house. The float has been strength
ened, and new planks will replace the
worn-out ones. The waterfront Of the
house will be painted blue and gray, while
the roof will be given a red tint. The rest
Of the building will be painted later.
TRIBUTES PAID.