Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-09
SPURTS
STALLED OFF BY
STURDY STROKE
Great International University
Boat Race From Putney to
MortIake Won by English. y

race today, stalling off by a steady, power
ful stroke all Harvards desperate spurts.
The Light Blues had the advantage of the
choice of stations, which gave them at
least a length to the good, in consequence
of the shelter from the wind on the Surrey
side of the river. They got away ahead
at the start and We're enabled to maintain
their lead and even increase it as soon as
they reached the wind-roughened water
at Chiswick Eyot. 1t was a pretty race
throughout.
There was moment of intense expec-
fancy as the two crews backed their craft
10 the stakeboats and then leaned far for
ward awaiting the signal The pistol shot
broke the spell, and both crews got away
from the mark boat cleaniy, amid a deaf
ening roar from the multitude The start
was perfect both crews taking the water
at the same instant Neither splashed. but
with swift steady precision the Cambridge
men drove the bow of their boat half a
length ahead within the first two boat
lengths. AS the English boat shot ahead
Wild yell went up from the patriotic
masses
Cambridge went at tremendous mace
forty-two strokes to the minute at the
start gradually reducing this rate while
the harvard men hardly rowed above 81
Inc Light Blues gained stroke by stroke
until by the time Craven Steps We're reach
eo daynght showed between the shells
Then the crowds went mad, and it was
loo to l that Cambridge would be the win
ner
Confidence on Both Sides.
Before the race the crews kent mostIv
TO their respective HEADQUARTERS at the
Leander and London Rowing clubs saving
every ounce of power for the coming strue-
gle. The doubts as to-the outcome .pere
by the nervous anxiety of tho
of both sides among the general
p pup put those in close touch with the
satisfied that their charges v,ere ~ H.
PINK or condition and ready for a desnar.
ate struggle. The Harvard crew in IT,
curse OF the day received cable messages
from all parts of the United States 80.
ing them success
ne harvard men took an early afterpoo,
Snesta' arriving at the boat house at 4: 30n M
t tmey were smiling and looked -contented as
man stripped and then put on IT.
White canvas knee pants and aimsv
sweater, their muscles standing out fineIy
oeneath their scanty racing clothes. AS the
americans stepped into their fraii cragt
they presented picture of sturdy deyai.
opment and endurance. Without being hin
men they had the fine lines of tboroupb
preds and the pnkness of skin denotine
good condition. They saluted good-naturad
ly in Acknowledgement of the ann;ause WITH
which their appearance was greeted and
seemed imbued with plenty of confidence
ana stamina. A vast crowd besieged the
boat house and there was an encourap ino
yell from thousands of threats ashore and
afioat as the Harvard men stepped into
their boat.
AS the challengers, the Harvard crew
took the water first and the Cambridge men
closely followed their example The two
boats quickly got into position and r. c.
Lehman. the starter and umpire, admins
tered the usual caution and moment
later, at 4:2S pm, a pistol shot sent the
two racing shells away to an admirable
start
Cambridge Leads at Start.
Although the Cambridge oarsmen struck
he water only twenty times in the first
half minute to Harvard's Twenty-Five the
hose of the Light Blue boat Immediately
showed to the front, the drive being SO
strong and the recovery SO prompt Slight
y quickening their pace while Harvard re-
luced theirs, the Light Blues stroke had
gained slight advantage at the end of
he first two minutes rowing. Though they
ost the advantage of taking the lead at
he start, the Americans showed no signs
II being disturbed. They kept up a steady
,ull at the rate of about thirty-five strokes
o the minute, which suits the crew so we'll.
Little more than a length separated the
,oats at Craven Steps, but on reaching the
nile post the bend of the river on the Sur
ey side gave the Cambridge crew a great
advantage. A head wind sent the tide roll
ng down this reach, making a broken sea,
# which the American got the full benefit,
While the Engashmen were sheltered by
he river bank on the Surrey side. BY the
ime the boats reached the Crab Tree about
| mile and half from the start, Stuart
he Cambridge stroke. had taken his boat
,ver two lengths to the front Inc Har-
fnf a
lis men for a great effort and they re-
bonded gamely The quickened stroke soon
old the daylight between the boats was
,erceptibly lessened and when me Sam
he Englishmen were barely iength ana
. quarter ahead.
The scene on the banks of the river was
mazine Americans and Englishmen WED
With each other In cheering their cham
ions. while the direction of the accom-
anying squadron of steamers was deaten-
ng.
Winner by Two Lengths.
Pushing on past the lead mills, where
9th boats were doing thirty-seven strokes,
cambridge maintained their lead, and the
rev appeared to be rowing well within
themselves AS the boats turned the bend
nd entered rougher water Harvard again
purted. A magnificent effort sent the
american boat upon Its opponent, foot by
cot. OF the Doves. although Harvard
,ept up his steady stroke. At Chiswick
Cyot the English stroke shook up his crew
nd began to pull away from Harvard.
1t the three-mile post Cambridge was over
wo lengths in front and on reaching the
Meadows the Englishmen were
wo and a half to three lengths ahead and
he race was practically over. Harvard,
owever, was game to the end, and spurted
gain, gaining length.
But II was too late to retrieve the for
unes of the day and the Cambridge men
assed the winning post easy winners of a
,aifant race, by two lengths. Time. nine
cen minutes and sixteen seconds.
First International Varsity Race.
The race between Harvard and Cam
ridge today over the famous old Putney-
fortlake course. a narrow winding water
ray, four and three-eighths miles in length.
ras the first dual intercollegiate race
owed between American and English
rews in thirty-seven years. In 1863 Har-
ard College sent four to Putney to
,eet oxford In q dual contest. The En-
lish crew was victorious by nearly four
.ngths. Today's race was the first be-
ween British and American university