Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-05
VESPER DOWN AND OUT
Philadelphia Eight Defeated
by Leander.
BOTH FINISH STRONG
CRACK ENGLISH CREW ROW A
FAST RACE.
Second Day Of the Henley Regatta
Belgians Win Their Heat From
London Rowing Club.

HENLEY. England, July 5.-Fhe Lean
ders defeated the Vespers of Philadelphia
here today In the first heat of the semi
finals for the Grand Challenge cup. The
Erglishmen won by a length. Time, Z
minutes .O1 second.
In the second heat of the semi finals the
Belgians beat the London Rowing Club by
three lengths. Time. minutes 20 seconds.
The weather clerk provided splendid
weather for the keenly anticipated strug-
gle between the Vespers and the Leanders
today. This was the first race of the day
and the widespread interest taken in it was
evidenced by the great crowds which
thronged all the vantage points along the
course and congregated in the vicinity of
the winning post long before the hour for
the start.
The Philadelphians arrived at the boat
house at 1890 all fit and full of go. They
launched their boat and set off on a paddle
at AS amid encouraging shouts from
a big gathering Of their compatriots and
the friendly cheers of the British.
Leander Had Slight Advantage.
The slight breeze toward the Bucks shore
gave the Leanders, who had the Berkshire
side, little advantage in position The
Americans shortly before the time set for
thu race rowed up to the starting line. but
the Leanders' shell was brought up by
the outsiders, the British crew driving up
to the starting point in carriages and en-
barking thence. AS the boats came up to
the line preparatory to the start the Brit
ish oarsmen seemed the more composed
OF the two crews.
The boats got away together, but the
nervousness of the Philadelphians was
shown in the splashing which marked their
first half-dozen strokes The Leanders
started with stroke of Al to the minutes
and the Vespers with 30. The nose Of the
British craft forged slightly to the 'front.'
but there was not much to choose between
them when they passed Temple Island in
the record time of Al seconds
Work Too Hard for Vesper.
The Philadelphians, however, soon began
to give signs that the hard work was tell
ing on them. The Leanders dropped their
stroke to 81. but the Vespers could not di
minish the lead of half a length, which
the home crew had already obtained. This
was increased to a full length. When
three-quarters of a mile had been covered
the Leanders again slowed down their
stroke to "a, but they always maintained a
lead.
In the last quarter the Vespers made a
desperate squirt and the stroke oar quick
ened his stroke rapidly. The Americans re-
spcnded and their boat gradually forged
up until only three-quarters of length
separated the two prows. The effort, how
ever. was futile. The Leanders had plenty
In hand. They responded to the squirt of
their opponents and passed them winning
by length. Both crews finished strong
vespers Have No Excuse to Give.
Coxswain Abel OF the vespers said to a
representative Of the Associated Press after
the race:
I'VE lost to superior crew. We both
did all we could. The race was no runaway,
and 1t must be remembered that we were
defeated by the pick of all England. Still
believe that II the Leanders had raced us
in Philadelphia we would have had a length
to our good instead of to their good"
! Abel added that he had rowed HIS last
race and was going to retire from the row.
ing field.
Harry Willis, the Leanders coach. admit
ted that his heart was in his mouth during
most Of the race.
"The veapers," Willis said. ''beat all my
anticipations before the race. / expected
them to plily out half way. but they pushed
the Leanders to the finish. They are as fine
| crew as ever crossed the Atlantic have
always cortended that the English leg drive
combined with their swing Is better than
the long sliile But must admit that this
Trace does not prove that our methods are
superior n those oe the Americans. The