Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-28
.OARSMEN MEET
WITH DISASTER
IN COLD BRINY
Varsity Regatta Is a
FiascO
Washington Leading When Shells En-
counter Heavy Seas and Go Under.
Berkeley Also swamped on
Way to Starting Point
BY Associated Press.

by Associated EreSS'
SAUSALITO, Cal, April 27.-A steady
west wind, freshening as the afternoon
advanced, put a disastrous end to the
eight-oared varsity race between
Washington, California and Stanford,
the first of it's kind to be attempted on
the Pacific coast.
All three boats were swamped in a
choppy sea within from one-half to
three quarters of a mile of the finish,
and the race had to be abandoned.
Power craft took the oarsmen and their
coXsWain from the chill waters of San
Francisco bay half a mile off Sausalito
and brought them ashore. Tho partly
submerged shells were towed in.
The course, distance of approx
mately two and one-half miles south
eastward from Manzanita point to the
finish flag opposite the little town of
Sausalito, was thronged with all man
ner of gaily decorate sail and power
craft, their decks and cabin roofs
crowded with noisy partisans, hours
before the time announced for the start
-2:30 o'clock.
The four-oared freshman race be-
tween Stanford and University of Cali
fornia, announced to start at 1885, was
declared off because of the roughness
of the water, and shortly after o'clock
the University of Washington eight got
away from the San Francisco Yacht
clubs house and started for Manzanita
point. Stanford followed, after delay
caused by late arrival, and California
got off last.
No Accident to First Two
Washington and Stanford made the
point without accident though the
spray thrown up constantly by their
-I,,, 4
up against.
Berkeley was less fortunate. Half
way to the starting point and half a
mile off shore her beat was swamped
and sank in five feet of water. I'm
daunted by the mishap, the big Cali
fornians righted their shell and waded
ashore with it. There they spent half
an hour or more getting the water out
of the craft and drying it as best they
could.
Showing off again, they rowed to
Point Manzanita, reaching the starting
point shortly before A o'clock, consider
ably fatigued soaking wet and chat
tering with cold.
The thousands people posted on the
Sausalito hills and many of those on
board the craft in the bay knew nothing
of the cause of the long delay until af-
ter the unfinished race was over.
Washington Leads First
The crews got away t the report of
a cannon. Washington caught water
first and led, Berkeley and Stanford fol-
lowing in the order named. California
led Stanford for a quarter of a mile,
with Washington chead by length.
Then California, taking gallon of wa
ter with every stroke, began to fill, and
shortly dropped alb east of Stanford.
They rowed together for a dozen
aorth he tO Gh
water in the choppy sea and gradually
settling until, between half and three
quarters of a mile from the finish and
within full view of the crowds on land
and water, she sank.
Seeing the condition of their rivals,
the Washington eight rested on their
oars and Stanford passed them, then
also stopped rowing. In a moment,
headway being lost, both were swamped
and crews of all three were up to
, their waists in water.
Launch to Rescue
The officia! launch-which had stuck
in the mud at the start-came footing
along to the rescue, and presently a
score of other craft that had been lying
at the finish flag Joined in speedy
procession to the place of disaster The
shiVering, half-submerged oarsmen and
coxwains were hauled over the sides of
launchei and steam yachts, and the
water-logged racing shells were taken
I'm tow,
The California and Stanford crews
were landed at the San Francisco Yacht
club, and the Washington men and
their boat were put OH board the
steamer Pueblo, which had been lying
by all afternoon, waiting to sail with
the northerners for Seattle.
Coach Gafnett of the Berkeley crew
said the California boat was sWamped
on the way to the starting point by
the swell from a gasoline launch that
persisted In nosing the racers stern
against repeated protests.
There were officials on this launch,
too said Garnett. He added that Cal
ifornia's bad luck was increased by
Tuller's losing his oar from the row
lock three times right after the start
shaking and numb with cold when the
start was made. They were badly
Handicapped"
Makeup of Crews
When California's boat was put on
the landing it was found that a hole
had been punched in her bottom. The
crews were made up as follows:
CALIFORNIA
Evans Evans ,..,....,,,Bsw, BSS, IS 't..1oiu.
Bu Bush ,,''''''''"''' lSSh 9ft.
Williams: ania:''......" ......:.. iss issss Sftt 4 II.
1zaasnleg ...,,...,.... 165 6 IT.
TSlisr TMGlEiilion ,..,..." ilssssH s. hin.
average height. II.
average weight, 171h pounds.
STANFORD