The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-28
IF IT II APPENS
IT'S HERE
BOATS SWAMPED
IN CHOPPY SEA
First Varsity Race on Pacific
Coast Called 0ff-AII Three
Entries Go Down.

Sausalito. Cal, April "a steady west
wind, rreshening as the afternoon ad-
vanced. put a disastrous end to the eight
cared varsity race between washington.
California and Stanford, the first of its
kind to be attempted on the Pacific coast.
Ali three boats were swamped Ia a chop
py sea within from one-half to three
quarters Of a mile from the finish and
the race had TO be abandoned Power craft
took the oarsmen and their cOXswails
from the. chill waters Of San Francisco
lay half mile off Sausalito. and
brought them ashore. The partially sub
merged shells were towed in.
he course, distarce of approximately
two and a halI miles. southeastward from
Manzanita point, tc the finish flag opDo-
site the little town of Sausaiito was
thronged with all manner of gaiiy decor
ated sail and power craft, their decks and
cabin roofs crowded with Loisy partisans.
hours before the time announced for the
stnrt-2:30 o'clock The four-oared fresh
man race between Stanford and the Uni
versity of California, announced to start
at 1:35. was declared off because of the
roughness Of the water, and shortly after
2 O'Clock the University of Washington
eight got away from the San Francisco
Yacht club house and started for Man
zanita point Stanford followed after a
delay caused by late arrival, and Califor
MIA got off last.
Berkeley Boat swamped.
Washington and Stanford made the
point without accident, though the spray
thrown uD constantly by their oars
allowed the difficulties they were against
Berkeley was less fortunate. Half way
TO the starting point and half a mile off
shore her boat was swamped and sank
In five feet OF water. Undaunted by the
InishaD. the big Californians righted their
boat and waded ashore with 1t. There
they spent an hour OF more getting the
water out Of the shell and drying it as
best they could. Showing off again, they
RI Point Agarzau nj fa
starting point shortly before O'Clock.
considerably fatigued, soaking wet and
Chatteribg with cold.
The thousands OF people posted on the
Sausaiito hills and many Of those on
board the craft in the bay, knew nothing
Of the cause of the long delay until after
the unfinished race WAS over.
Washington in the Lead.
The crews got away at the report of a
cannon. Washington caught water first
and LED, Berkeley and Stanford following
IN the order named California led Stan
ford for a quarter of a mile, with Wash
ington ahead by a length Then Califor-
mia, taking a gallon OF water with every
stroke. began TO fill and shortly dropped
abreast Of Stanford. They rowed together
for dozen lengths, Berkeley continuing
to ship water in the choppy sea. and grad
ually settling until. between a half and
three-quarters of 2 mile from the finish
and within full view of the crowds on
land and water, she sank
Seeing the condition of their rivals, tie
Washington eight rested on their oars,
and Stanford passed them, then also
stopped rowing. In a moment, Roadway
being lost both were sWamped and the
crews of all three were up TO their waists
in water.
Boats to the Rescue.
The official launch-which had stuck in
the mud at the start-came footing along
to the rescue, end presently a score of
n her that had hna0 living a the
finish flag Joined in a speedy procession
to the place of disaster. The shivering.
falf-submerged Oarsmen and cOxswains
were helped over the sides of the
launches and steam yachts, and the wa
ter-logEed racing shells were taken in
Tow. The California and Stanford crews
were landed at the San Francisco Yacht
club and the Washington and their boat
were put on board the steamer Pueblo,
which had been lying by all afternoon,
waiting TO sail with the northerners for
Seattle.
Blamed Gasoline Launch.
Coach Garrett of the Berkeley crew
said that 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 Cali
fornia's hard luck was increased by Tul-
ler's losing his oar from the TOwlOck three
times right after the start.
Ny men" said the coach: were shak-
ing and numb with cold wheT. the start
was made They were badly handi-
capped"
When California's boat was put on the
landing it was found that a hole had
been punched in her bottom
Later IN the afternoon the freshman
race. which had been postponed earlier in
the day. was rowed over slightly diff
feTent course. The distance was one
mile. and the race was won by Stanford
from California by one length.