Evening star., 1909-05-09
BOATHOUsE GOSSIP.

0OA4nO OO0G 0OOS43s
Nothing has stirred boating circles so
much as. the challenge or invitation of
Yale College for the Potomacs to come to
New Haven to meet their varsity In a
match race. 1t is the more remarkable
because for years the policy at New
Haven has been to restrict rowing, in a
sense, and what was allowed was only
with well known college crews. hence
the great array of Potomac members are
feeling very chesty over the turn OF af-
fairs. The publication in The Star of
Wednesday that Yale had formally sent
such an invitation could hardly be cred
tied by the great number of Yale men
In the city, and up at the University Club
the matter was generally discussed, and
the opinion was unanimous that Yale
had certainly selected a great crew to
make its radical departure from the old
and unwritten laws of the college.
In their letter to Mentor Kennedy the
Potomacs broached the idea of Yale COM
ing to Washington to have a return
match, stipulating that they, the Poto-
macs, would give them the freedom of
the city and the use of the finest river
in the world for training purposes. Presi-
dent Taft was one Of Yale's mighty oars
during his college days, and it would be
a great treat to him to see his alma
mater crew here doing training stunts
recalling, as 1t would. the pleasant hours
when with Walter Camp and others he
did similar service for the glory OF "Old
Eli"
The Potomacs are now awaiting a re-
ply from New Haven to their letter for
information and until that arrives all
things are in allegiance, though it can
be safely written down that it is certain
Potomacs will row Yale this year at New
Haven.
A large delegation Of local oarsmen
and canoeists went over to Baltimore last
night to be present at the opening of
the new house of the Ariel Club at
Ferry Bar. The Ariels claim that their
new home is the model one Of America.
X X X
The entries for the American Rowing
Associations Henley" which takes place
on the I'D at Philadelphia, closed last
night The entries from this city, 1t is
expected will be two crews from George
town, 'preps'' and freshmen, and two
from PotomacS senior eights and senior
fours. 1t is believed that the entry list
this year will be one-third larger than
last year. and will in proportion have
the greatest number of good crews to be
gathered together this year.
The result of mo race last week at
Annapolis between Navy's two crews and
the seniors of the Potomacs was very
much Of disappointment to both sides,
especially the Navy, who wanted the race
the worst sort of way. The midship-
men are very anxious to see their second
crew row, and the disappointment of last
saturday was very much taken to heart
by the crew. Capt. Britton, u S.N., who
Is looking after the interest of the crews,
at once made a proposition to row the
race the 18th inst, and said he was very
anxious to see the race rowed, as Navy
wanted to get some lines on what the
crew could do In real race, as they
knew the first crew was all right, but
was doubtful about the second one The
Potomacs could not give a definite an
sWer, but Wednesday they decided to go
over and row the two crews under the
same conditions as agreed on before
The race Will take place next Saturday
at $50 O'Clock, over the inner course be-
yond the Short Line railway bridge, and
the Potomacs expect to carry down a
much larger crowd than the one of last
Saturday, many being kept away by the
rain. The special car that will carry the
oarsmen from this city will be gayly fes-
tooned with the colorS of the club as
Passenger Agent Shepley intends to make
this the best sporting delegation that has
visited the academy this season, as it
has become certainty now that the troll
ICY iHc CdH transport the Dig racing
shells without any fear of breakage. It
Is expected that the Potomacs will be ac-
companied down to the academy by a
large roofing crowd. goodly number Of
Analostans and Old Dominions. together
with the usual quota of pretty girls
The crew from the Potomacs will be
strengthened by the temperance of
Morse. their stroke, and Spransey, the
Dig waist man, who has not rowed any
this year. The addition Of these two men
Sidac nf thn hno
more evenly balanced, as hitherto the
starboard side has been much too heavy.
Mr.. Joseph Daily, who. In absence Of
Coach Dempsey has been drilling the
men, Will continue in the same capacity
X X
The meeting OF the Middle States Asso-
citation to fix the locality for their annual
regatta takes place Monday evening in
New York at the Hotel Marlborough 1t
looks like Baltimore had the run we'll
in hand and will land the big prize.
Two eight-oared crews and an octopede
eight belonging to the Vespers of Phila-
delphia had a thrilling experience last
week while racing on the usually placid
Schuylkill. All the shells were swamped
and the oarsmen thrown into the freshet
shaped river but fortunately the entire
crews were rescued without much dam
aged, except that DeBecke, the celebrated
sweep oar. had a painful cut in his left
hip. caused by his oarlock gashng him as
he went overheard.
X !. X
The Baltimore Polytechnic crew will
race the Navy Plebes next Saturday just
previous to the race Of the varsity and
the Potomacs. The "Pollys" have rather
a good-looking crew for kids
x X x
Very few of the eastern clubs will ven-
ture out to Detroit for the Nationals this
year, owing to the long distance required