New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-29
HARLEM'S HENLEY.
Ill Is Nozu Ready for the Big
Memorial Dag Regatta.

Harem's Henley. the Memorial Day regatta.
the day of all days, when the narrow little river
is crowded to it's very brim with all manner Of
floating craft. from the great barges laden to
their gunwales with feminine admirers Of
aquatic sports. to the dainty single shells. PROM
ises this year to exceed the best Of the
previous thirty-seven meets of the Harlem Re
gatta Association. Save for the meetings Of the
oarsmen on the Schuylkill at Philadelphia, there
is no event in the rowing calendar so closely
following the famous day in England To be-
sure, the narrow. turbid Harlem is more sug-
gestive of the Thames at Putney and Mort
lake. the scene of the Oxford Cambridge race
but when the banks are lined with the thou
sands Of fair enthusiasts and the barges deco
rated with the chosen coors and Haunting the
banners of rival teams the sight is beautiful
beyond that of any college event in this country
for the Hudson and the Connecticut Thames are
far too large to be noticeably changed by all the
bright collegiate foliage.
Moreover. for this thirty-eghth annual meet
ing the Harlem Regatta Association has an
nounced entries of unusual interest for it should
oe recorded that Harlem River meet is \
mere field day of beauty and a demonstration
If the various types of craft that ply its waters
Like Henley. 1t is the greatest national water
/ event or the year. This year there will be a
noticeable lack of entries from Philadelphia.
Day; bet from New-Jersey. Long Island and even
from Massachusetts there have been entries,
while the Harlem River clubs and the Columbia
University eight cared crew four Dared crew
and freshmen are all TO contest. AS still NOR,
interesting assurance of fast time and good
racing G. 3 Titus, the favorite of the course
has once more agreed to compete. This oars
man OF Henley fame will row in the senior
SOULS. but. with fifteen events and ffty-two
entries. no single event can claim all the in,
terest
The share that the feminine element plavs in
Harlem River meet is not without interest
even in the midst of a time of sturdy contests
for the peculiar amphibious femininity of tn.
Harlem furnishes one of the most noteworthy
features of the sport Not content to stay on the
Dahk ana watch the races from firm if dis
taht vantage point, the Harlem girl has forced
the naval architects to reckon with her. AMI
they have responded by the building of wonder
ful barges, suggesting the barges of the old
Thames To the statstician the craft that car
ries twenty-four passengers affords an interest,"
ing feature but to the mere man the boat that
bears at least half as many Harlem girls ::...;,i
the volleys OF feminine shouts. protests and an
plause, is n creation that in itself justifcs all
the Harlem pride
But not the barge alone will claim the adilirq-
ton of the spectator and will add the most I,
the charm of the occasion For every girl that
rides In a barge. crowded by her neighbors half
a dozen will each share a canoe with sinyI,
man. drifting or padding beyond the crowd
But IL barses and canoes form the most strikine;
features OF the Harlem River parade there viii
be no lack OF every other craft Dainty shells
singles and Fights. the numbering rowboat AMI
the commOdious skr viii all have part eve. III,
tugboat and the steam launch will bring ma
chinery into this world of muscle for when the
muscle is put to it in the it needs steam
to keep the pace.
One craft that will be seen at the regatta ia
claimed a Harlem River invention. without
duplicate in this country; to this boat tho
name has been given of ''octopede." although
it is more frequently called "centipede.' This
boat carries the same eight cared
she'll but is propelled by sixteen cars, eight on
a side. each oarSman pulling pair.