New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-08
CREWS READY FOR RACE
Continued from nrst page.
photo by Pictorial News Col

race Generally speaking. the professionals favor
the Americans and the amateurs pin their faith
10 the Cambridge crew
The weather prophets predict westerly winds
for tomorrow. This would be against the boats
over most of the course and the winner of the
toss. In this event. would gain by the choice of
the Surrey side of the river
The race will be rowed from Putney TO Mort
lake' distance Of something over four miles
Indications point TO a monster crowd seeing the
struggle from the banks OF the river. as interest
IN the race has been increasing from day to day.
as shown by the hundreds which have been
watching the daily practice.
The last few hours have seen a tremendous
scramble for seats from which 10 view the race.
Thousands Of tickets have been issued for posi-
ions on the Barnes railway bridge which
marks the beginning Of the final reach: and late
this evening many Americans tried in vain to
get seating accommodations near the finishing
post
Inc Mortlake railway companies will run eX-
cursion trains nom all parts of the country and
as tomorrow is a general half holiday there is
sure 70 be a record crowd.
In the matter OF weight the crews are pretty
evenly matched. In height the Harvard men are
more even. the tallest being feet / inch. and
the shortest feet 9l2 inches. OF the Cambridge
men, the tallest is Baynes. g feet inches. and
the shortest Benham. feet So inches
Captain Filey. OF the Harvard crew, states
that after trying Aylings English oars which
he found quite satisfactory. he thought it wiser
TO stick to the American blades. TO which his
men are accustomed.
For the first time flags will be dropped AT
salient points on the course, and II a record is
being made il VIII have to beat 8 minutes -
seconds at the mile Z minutes II seconds at
HarnmeTsmith Bridge. IL minutes 10 seconds at
Chiswick Steps, 10 minutes 81 seconds at Barnes
Bridge and IS minutes AZ seconds at the finish
The credit for the arrangement Of the race
belongs in large part 20 Rudolph Lehman. the
well known English oarsman and coach, than
whom truer sportsman ever lived After
coaching oxford to victory for several seasons
he went 20 Cambridge. and under his instruction
the interest IN the race that Oxford's repeated
victories was killing was revived by splendid
Cambridge victory. the first in many years
Some seasons ago he came TO America and
coached the Harvard crew.
II July 81 that Captain Fflley and his
men sailed from New York. carrying with them
the best wishes OF their countrymen. There was
universal commentator Of the splendid spirit of
craftsmanship displayed by Harvard. but the
record OF the Cambridge in its with
Oxford was so brilliant that it was hailed the
best crew that had represented either of the
English universities since Cambridge tied the
record Of is minutes AZ seconds in 1900 Har-
ward had done well on the American Thames in
beating Yale, surprisingly WELL in fact. but that
was not held TO be sufficient 10 justify reason
able expectation OF victory
This feeling lasted until Harvard. after reach
ing tidal waters at Putney, did two remarkable
pieces OF rowing in time trials. These trials
completely changed the current of English opin-
ion, and as a result the betting yesterday was
practically at even money. after having been at
one time 3 10 l on the home crew.
Whatever may be the result or the race II Is
likely 10 have an important bearing on the fu-
ture Of English boat building. The introduction
OF the swivel oarlOck is almost certain II Is used
already by all English sculers and has been ad-
vocated by prominent boat builders here who.
however. have been handicapped by the con-
seTvatIsm Of the crews themselves. Whether
other features Of American built boats will be
adopted Will depend upon the result OF the race.
The difference in weight between the two boats
is fifteen and one-half pounds I'm favor Of the
Harvard shell. Sims, who built the Cambridge
shell. explains this by the fact that. owing to the
short notice, he had To use heavier cedar than
he would nave liked in building the new shell.
The crews Will be boated as follows:
cAMRRTDGE