The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-06
AQUATIC SPORTS NOTABLE
FEATURE OF HOLIDAY
CELEBRATION
Races by Rowing Clubs and
Swimming Contests Are
Witnessed by Thousands

Inc aquatic sports held in the bay az
the foot of Van Ness avenue yesterday
morning and afternoon were feature
of San Franeisce's program arranged
especially for the observance of indie
pendence day. Several thousand per-
sons witnessed the rowing and swim
ming races, and the entire list of
events was carried out in successful
manner. Despite the choppy sea and
strong wind, there was only one acct
dent during the races that might have
resulted fatally
z Edward Knottner, crack single shell
oarsman of the South End rowing club,
was precipitated into the water of
keenan's boat house when a broadside
white cap filled his shell. Knottner
was in the water nearly 10 minutes
before assistance came to him. He is a
strong swimmer, although it was some
effort for him to struggle against the
demolished.
During the races music was furnished
Dy BRASS band and the contestants
Ia the races were cheered and en-
couraged by the stirring music just be-
lore the final squirt for the finish line
was made Possibly the best race of
which the honors were captured by the
Alameda barge. This race was close
one, only length and a half separat-
ing the Alameda from the Dolphin
crew, which was second. The Ariels
were almost bow and bow with the
Dolphins, and the last quarter mile of
the grueling contest was as hard a
fight as has been seen between oars
while
The Ariels protested the race to the
judges, claiming that their boat was
fouled at the far turn by the Dolphin
barge. All three barges were very
close together and each was fighting
for the advantage at the turn. The
Dolphins have agreed to row the race
oEer again and this will probably be
done Saturday afternoon.
The single shell race went to George
McGrill Of .the South End club. who
sent his narrow shell across the line
more than four lengths ahead of his
nearest rival. Oscar Mohr's long
sweep made an easy win for him in
the senior skiff event and he was six
lengths ahead at the finish.
Oscar Mohr also stroked the Dolphin
crew. to victory in the junior barge
race. He set a steady stroke, which
was never varied throughout the con-
test. The choppy sea made it neees-
sary to take a slow and long stroke
and Mohr's work in the pace makers
seat resulted advantageously for the
=
The relay swimming race went to the
Ariel webfoots. The swimming con-
cluded the events of the day Sum
mary:
Single she'll race-George Merrill South
Ends first: G. viccini Doiphins second
Senior skin-Oscar Mohr. Dophns. first ::
Charles Wilson, Ariels, second; l.. d. Minand,
Dolphins third.
Junior barge race-DoIphins crew frst-A
Hagedorn. stroke: A. Fyerer No. 3: Fl. Gerdes
No 2; II. Wellman No. /; J. Kennfh,
swain. South Ends, second.
Junior skn-John Gaffney. Ariels. first Oscar
phins, third: S. f. Benedict, South Ends,
fourth.
Senior barge-AIameda's crew nrst-Henry
Hess. stroke; II. G. Nielsen. No. 3: A. w.
Brampton No. 2; w. F. Steinmetz No /: D.
kim. coxswain Dolphins second-w F. Har-
ris. stroke; T. Harris No. 3; l.. ID. Winand,
No. =; Charles Minsenmeyer.- No. 1; J. Ken
min, eoxswain. Ariels. second-A. Keegan, stroke
J. Jensen, No. 3; Edward Murphy, No, 2:
Relay swimming race-Aries, first; the swim
mers Nick Denvir, John Gaffney. John
Won Stalen, Joseph Lewis. Dophins. second
w. and +. Harris. Weiland Hagedorn. South
Ends. third-Wall6sh, Knottner, Sculy Mogan.
The officials of the day were: President of
the day. John Staden: referee, George A !.
Tracy: starter. ] s. Phillips: marshals of
course-Joseph L. Lewis J. j. Cronin; assistant
marshals-Captain H. Valdespino, Captain Al
Brompton, Captain Thomas Harris. Captain Ed
Charles II. Smith. Robert O'Hes, Joseph Lin
den DR.. T. C. McConkey: judges at the turn
n. A. Denvir. A. G.. Bell, Fl. J. Berazzi. DR..
W. Harrington; timers-L. Jennings. Fred VIII
Wilson. Al kim, W A. Remensperger G. e.
A. Creighton; reception committee-C. e. A.
Creighton (chairman). II. X. McKevitt. DR..
7. G. McConkey, E. J. Lynch. A. g. Bell.