The Washington times., 1906-09-09
COXSWAIN'S MISTAKE
COST HARVARD RACE
BIagden'S Ignorance Of the
Course Fatal When His
Crew Had Chance.
WIND ALSO HELPED SOME
Cambndge's Choice Of Position Cut
Figure in Early Stages-Ameri-
cans Will Try Again.

PUTNEY. England. Sept S.-The win
ming OF the Cambridge crew from Har-
ward this afternoon was one OF the fn-
est contests ever ruwed on the historic
Putuey 10 Nortlake course.
The weather conditions during the day
ana until within half an hour of the time
set FOR starting the race We're perfect
Z was a bright day. full Of sunshine and
genial warmth. little white clouds heek-
cd the sky and a gentle breez blew out
OF the southwest.
At O'Clock the wind freshened and
cut up the water Of the Thames which
was setting in with the last Of the flood
tide This put an obstacle IN the way
of the rowers which smashed all hopes
of making the course in record time.
No Delay at Start.
It was 4:23 O'Clock, when the crews
put their shells in the water. Harvard
was first 10 embark, but the pale blue
followed Immediately. The crews rowed
slowly TO the starting point. where the
preliminary directions We're given
The actual start Of the race was two
minutes ahead of schedule Harvard
had the Surrey berth, while Cambridge
was I'm the AuddIesex position. this mat
ter having been decided by the toss Of
"a coin between the two captains. Har-
ward being the winner and getting the
choice Of position as popularity believed.
The real advantage at the start was
with Cambridge, however, for the Mid
dIesex side of the river at Putney forms
the inner course of the first turn.
So. at 4:2S the race was on. Cam
bridge. taking fun advantage of her
position. put her full power into the
stroke and succeeded in gaining a slight
/ lead at the very start. Harvard strug-
/ gIed beautifully and in perfect form 70
/ keep mp tith the Englishmen but was
/ at great disadvantage against the wind
and the Cantabas pulled away to such
an extent that they were two and a
I quarter lengths to the good al Crabtree.
Regained Lost Ground.
The boys from the United States did
not lose heart for a minute but plugged
/ steadily along. on the other hand the
/ long continued strain had begun to tell
I on the leaders. who began to fall back
a bit so that when the crews came un-
der Hammersmith bridge the Yankees
( had made up a length and a quarter.
lntA nN lllCu AA4E ri AAl4eNll bbAL dtt
into the lead of its sivaI. As the crews
/ passed Beverly brook Harvard was only
. one length 10 the bad and the rowers
/ were stnl in as good form as at the
| start.
Now the race was nip and tuck, Cam
bridge striving TO pull away and Har
ward bending every effort TO come iT
even terms with her.
At Load Mills the boats were still
just about length apart, the bow OF
the Crimson being on even terms Will
the stern of the Light Blue. Each crew
! was hitting it up to the tune OF s
I strokes a minute.
Coxswain's Fatal Mistake.
AS the racers came opposite tn
Doves. watchers on the bank saw tn
, light Of confidence grow bright in tn
eyes of the Americans Captain File.
called for squirt and the fight was on
Little by little the Crimson shell an
swered TO the strength of her drivers
Little by little her bow was pushed ul
. along the quarter OF the Brtishers
Even as they were about to snatch vic
tory from defeat the Harvard boa
went wrong.
! These races on the Thomas are battle