New-York tribune., 1907-06-17
IDLE DAY FOR CREWS.
CORNELLiS TALE OF WOE.
Courtney Says His Eight Is Far
Bel0zC Usual Standard.
[By Telegraph 70 The Tribune. ]

Poughkeepsie N Y June 16-The men in the
present Naval Academy senior eight all have had
a great deal of experience as oarsmeu. Physically
the crew is the best the river. The men all are
well built and their weight average Of 17o pounds
is the best the river The men may not be as
heavy according to the figures the present SYRIA
crew. but there is better distribution or the
weight.
The past experience OF the Annapolis men has
been all in rowing two mile races. Ii has been set
forth however. that they also have had lot OF
distance rowing this and that for this rea-
son they should be equipped 10 go the distance IN
their time Saturday they covered the whole
course at good speed They were driving the boat
all the way, and their finishing squirt was run up
to about forty strokes to the minute Thls Is an
extraordinary thing, and in itself serves 20 snow
that the Navy crew is sturdy. However, when the
men finished they We're much exhausted.
There many things TO count in IN the case
of a like that of the Naval Academy that
what might be significant in some eights does not
count at all with the Navy men. Taking. for in
stance, the difference in courses to which they are
accustomed. All the rowing at Annapolis has been
done the River Severn. The upper course,
where the intercollegiate two mile races are roweo
is smooth water. That is to say that, although
1t is a river with tides. the race IS roUed over
rather shoal water so that there is not the same
speed to the water there is at Poughkeepsie.
While the Navy oarsmen might naturally be ex-
pected to feel much better when they got on lively
water, the change might so have operated on them
to distress them in their first trial on the Hud-
Taken all in all, although the time did de-
Velop some things which not for the best, con-
sidered soberly they also gave the coaches of the
other crews something to think over There is small
question that the speed and power are there in the
Annapolis boat, and that they can be applied, but
there is some doubt as to whether they are oelns
applied in the proper way The race will show that.
II subsequent performances of the oarsmen do not:
The Columbia crew has been advancing in the
last week. Although Coach Rice has been making
changes of one kind or another rather frequently,
il is notcea BILE that, matter what new man goes
in the boat he does not break up the smoothneSs
OF the eight. For another thing, the Columbia
oarsmen picking up in weight That always IS
Cow EIn nC4or1 nVd In a
good argument against the continuance Of Colum-
ba rowing practice on the Harlem River. Some or
the men who were decidedly under the weather in
the earlier part of the year have come along nicely
since.
There has been great deal of talk recently. ow-
ing to the condition of the Columbia crews. of hur
rying along the proposition shift to the Jersey
shore of the Hudson River. The Gould boathouse
115th street and the North River is situated so
that the oarsmen cannot very we'll from there
many days. II is near the channel. and the tide
runs there with such force that II is not a good
training place. on the Jersey shore il would be
possible 10 get a good stretch of smooth water,
and. besides IT would not be hard 10 get place in
which to set UP a boathouse. The matter will be
taken Up this summer because many OF the Co
lumbia rowing authorities have believe that
10 continue the Harlem not only is unwise. but
may be fatal to Columbia rowing In the end
The Cornell crews have been under cloud.
Coach Courtney did not hesitate to say that he
did not believe that they had much chance 10 win
in the big Courtney always says these things
and then adds: You don't believe me anyhow.
What's the use OF my saying that? But can as
you that this Cornell varsity Is not as
good last year's-not by 1 minute IS seconds
That statement doubtless is true, and the Cornell
may not be expected TO win by many persons.
Howey eT. there many rowing coaches here who
would like 10 see more Of It before deciding what
the chances
The Ithacans have been down toward Milton a
deal recently. and IT is hard say Just
they have been doing. The coach may not change
his order again. but he says that he does not know
what he is going TO do He says that things never
We're upset before. and the next days
movements always a puzzle 10 him. IL a
question of power with the Comedians. They have
the style 10 cover the distance.
Pennsylvanias varsity crew has impressed a
at first. The Quakers certainly have
not been well provided with material and they
We're disappointed at the start of the season by
losing four out Of seven veterans of the best
Pennsylvania ever had However, the
smoothly, they apparently have the power and they
make the boat go along between strokes. II Is
considered safe thing 10 say that they Will bear
watching
Indeed. Ems IL all the crews were worth
while looking out for this year. Never before
where they should be In condition The spring
has been unfavorable, and all have been affected
about alike. Each coach has hard luck story
tell apparently without realizing that the others
are equally handicapped This is the where
the institution which was most favored by tho
weather seems to have the edge the others
The opinion seems 10 be that the navy is that
favored
The observation train will have covers this year
The trains at New London covered. but those
soaking like that Of last year to call attention to
the reed for CoyerinG
The oarsnen spent to-day mostly in church or in
taking launch rides to visit the others. The Naval
visitors