The Springfield herald., 1906-09-14
HARVARD BEATEN
DEFEATED BY CAMBRIDGE UNI.
VERSiTY CREW..
TWO BOAT LENGTHS BEHlSD
Performance OF American Crew is Dis.
appolnting-Did Not Show the Vim
Expected of Them-Finish in Bet
ter Condition Than Cambridge.


Prtney, England. Saturdays boat
race between crews of Harvard and
Cambridge universities, which was won
by the Englishmen by two lengths,
was probably the most surprising ever
rowed on the Thames, not so much
in the result as the way in which it
was run.
Cambridge, as has been feared by
Harvard and hoped for the by Eng
lishmeu, got away the better, secur-
ing the lead which they increased to
three lengths before Hammersmith
bridge was reached. Both crews, as
they went under the bridge
were 20. ag steadily at twenty
eight strokes to the minute,
neither apparently e.erting itself.
Suddenly Harvard commenced to use
more power, and although Cambridge
already had the race won and had the
advantage of water conditions, the lat
ter was compelled TO increase its
stroke to thirty-three and finished a
tired ont crew. Donaldson was ready
to collapse, and Closebrooks, in the
bow, was nearly as bad. The remain
der OF the crew padded the boat to
the landing stage. The Harvard men,
on the other hand. apparently were
quite fresh, and took their boat across
the river at L brisk rate.
English experts say there is but
one explanation for the result, that of
superiority of English oarsmanship
and OF the English stroke. Harvard
was one of the finest crews physically
ever seen on the river, but was unable
to overcome that training which Eng
lish oarsmen receive from childhood.
The Cambridge crew, too, had in
Stuart one of the best strokes England
had produced. 1t also had the advan-
tage of choice of side, but those who
know the river best say this was little
in their favor, with the tide and wind
as they were Saturday.
The crowd which lined the banks
from Putney to Mortlalte, massed on
bridges. roofs and balconies and
weighed down the branches of trees
was record gathering for recent
years. To estimate the number of per
sons who witnessed the contest would
be impossible, but they stretched in
unbroSen string; for four and one-half
miles on either side of the river. Of
Americans, there were hundreds, all
showing the Harvard colors, chiefly in
specially chartered boats. The Grim
son, however. only showed in splashes
amid the endless display OF the light
blue of Cambridge. When the light
blues were seen to have gained an
advantage at tho start a great cheer
went up from the crowds on Putney
bridge, in Fullham park and on the
Putnev towpath. 1t was taken up by
those farther along and continued
without interruption to the end OF the
race, when there was final tremeni-
Gus outburst from the people on Barns
bridge the excursion steamers an
chored at the finish and the thou
sands who had gathered at Mo1tlake.
Stroke Stuart of the Cambridge
crew said:
"Filley and his crew rowed magnl-
ficent race. We are glad we won. but
sorry to defeat such good fellows.
Captain Filley of the Harvard boat
lacorically declared that his men had
been beaten fairly and squarely
Coaci, Wray was gloomy and had moth
ing 10 say, except that he had no eN-
cuse to offer. Coach MattlebnrJ OF
Cambridge, said:
"rhe Harvard men made up the of3t
crew ever sent out from the tnitec
States. With another-year and Httie
more of the English style the Har-
ward men will be dangerous rivalS
hope the Americans will favor Us "lth
another visit"