Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-08
CRIMSON MEETS
CAMBRIDGE TO-DAY
HARVARD SUPPORTERS HAVE
GREAT HOPES
Experts Agree That Americans Have
improved as Regards Stamina,
but Base Predictions Of Eng
llsh Victory on style

American and British eyes turn today
toward Putney on the Thames, where
Harvard and Cambridge are to battle
for the rowing supremacy of the world.
Crimson men during their training days
at the little English town have become
vastly popular among the Britons, even
though Uncle Sans representatives
have occasioned some uneasiness be-
cause Of their powerful frames and i'm
proved form as compared with other
American crews which have visited
English shores.
Optimistic reports have been received
concerning the style and condition of
Harvard men, but at this distance it
would appearaas though Cambridge will
turn the trick. AS regards stamina
the crimson probably possess nothing
on their British friends, who thus far
have demonstrated superior staying
ability
British experts and American vet
Grams appear to agree in the present in
stance, however, that the crimson men
are superbly strong as regard their
wind and that the race will necessarily
develop into a trial Of the British and
American styles of rowing.
Should Harvard win today English
oarsmen will receive a severe blow, as
they are supremely confident that their
methods are superior to those of
America.
Nothing has occurred which might
lead to a belief that the Cambridge
men are not as strong an aggregation
as has in the past years swept the row.
ing world, and unless Harvard shows a
vast Improvement which has not as yet
been given opportunity of displayal
Cambridge should sweep nrst across the
line.
Coming to the Front
A defeat for Harvard this afternoon
will not necessarily mean that America
is not to take the lead in Craftsmanship
College athletes of this country have
long been submerged in a passion of
speed development which only of late
years has partially given way to a re-
velopment of endurance.
Traditions of the Brton beSpeak great
stamina, as may be instanced in the
wonderful cross country runners of
England, who from boyhood are in
stilled with the virtue of long wind and
who have thus far bested the American
in lengthy events.
With strong perseverance, however
the relative athlete is rapidly acquiring
stamina necessary for supreme oars
manship, and if victory does not today
perch on crimson banners the time is
not far distant when a steady develop
ment will eventually forge to the front.
With interest aroused by the plucky
and sportsmanlke trip of the Harvard
crew who sc elk new honors on the
Thames from fhp pOllnErianS Of old
Cambridge today few words about the
course over which the race Will be
rowed will not come amisS.
When the crimson-tipped sweeps of
the Harvard oarsmen fash into the
water at the crack of the starters pis-
tol they will be within sight of thou
sands on the old stone bridge which
spans the Thames at Putney, and on
the banks of the river at the place
where many an historic battle between
Oxford and Cambridge has begun.
Here the river is about 100 yards in
width with the boat houses of the
famous Leanders on the left bank and
the palace of the bishop of London op
posite. For a stretch of nearly a mile
the river is as straight as an arrow,
then comes the first turn near Ham
mersmith bridge
Shell Is Swamped
Just above Hammersmith lies Twick-
enham, on the right bank. and here is
one Of the best points to view the race,
the crews being visible for a long
stretch, and this point being also re-
garded as one of the most dangerous in
any race over this peculiar course. It
was here a number of years ago that
Cambridge shell was swamped by the
sea and sank, the crew swimming
ashore in the icy March waters of the
Thames, while their rivals rowed over
the course alone.
At Twickenham comes this first bad
turn in the course, the river flowing
almost at right angles to Barnes bridge,
where tradition has 1t that the winning
crew is always in front. On the other
side of Barnes bridge comes the worst
turn of the course, the "bete nore" of
all the coXswains, as the slightest mis-
take in steeding means a loss of many
lengths. It is with a sight of relief
that crews pass this crucical point,
after which comes a straight course to
the finish.
To most of the tens of thousands who
line the course from Putney to the
finish all that the race means is a long
wait to catch fleeting glimpse of the
shells, and then longer delay for
the judges boat, bearing the result of
the race painted in a great canvas
banner. Observation trains there are
none, and the means of access to the
course are such as would compare
favorably with our old-time horse cars
system.