The Washington herald., 1910-08-14

Just as the dusk was stealing
over a day that had been most
beautiful for the purpose, the
greatest regatta that the National
Capital has ever known came to an
end yesterday.
Never before was the fitness
of the Potomac River course bet
ter exemplihed than It was in this
last days racing. The way that
every event was handled; the vast
concourse of spectators who viewed
the contests from every viewpoint
from start to finish; the clear
course, broad and smooth; the per
feet weather, and the admirable ar
rangements-all showed that for
the purposes of such fine contests,
settling the championship of North
America, no course in the country
Is more admirably equipped than
THAT which saw the thirty-eighth an
nual championship won-and LOST
1t Is not likely that the Potomac
River-on that fair stretch of
water that lies between Georgetown
and the Highway Bridge-ever
was so thickly populated before.
Hundreds ST canoes were out, lin
ing the Virginia side OF the broad
course, while on the District side
ii is estimated that fully $4,000 per-
sons lined the slope and packed the
Highway Bridge, while hundreds
of automobiles and other vehicles
raced along the Speedway, follow
ing the course Of the gallant oars
men.
DECIDED By SECOND.
And those who turned out 10 watch the
contests Of the last day OF the regatta
saw boat races OF a class that many Of
them will never see again. They saw the
r closest single-scuu race that has ever
been rowed. when just one second OF
time separated the winner, William Mehr-
hof. of the Nassau Boat Club. New
; York, from the only contender. Fred
Shepherd. Of the Harlem Rowing Club.
! Il was a race to set the blood tinglng
with enthusiasm; a race whose result
was in doubt until the judges boat came
/ around and megaphoned the news that
the winner had won BY just one second
: over a mile and a quarter course.
But this race. wonderful as it was.
lacked, perhaps. some Of the interest Of
the big race Of the afternoon. the senior
eight-oared shells, in which the United
States yielded the championship to Can
ada This. too, was a race.
The shells were off promptly al S
o'clock TO perfect start. For the first
twenty seconds the alignment Of the four
crews was almost perfect and It was
only by an almost impeFceptible dis
. lance that the VesDers were leading at
! the quarter. At that time the Ottawas
we're IN third place-veteran oarsmen
all--rowing a slow but perfectly steady
stroke. hardly more than thirty-seven TO
! the minute but there was beef behind
! every stroke. and they maintained the
. position they held, sturdily and without
apparent effort
POtOmacs Einish Last.
The Potomacs. 70 whom local pride
, wes attached. were already at the quar-
, ter half a length 10 the bad and they
never .bettered their position. Along the
District bank Of the river cheer after
I cheer went up in TIE. hope Of heartening
the Washington crew. but try as they
woodland they rowed n gallant race
they could not get within reach OF the
5 boats ahead. and already the Ottawas
we're showing clear daylight between
n their boat. and the second. hardly seem
ing to squirt at all. but sending their
! shell forward. ever forward. by good.
, clean rowing; oars with a deep grip u
: the water and a stroke that dehed those
[ behind to get within reach
I Much as the sympathies OF the I'M
mense crowd were with the home talent,
5 the Poton1acs. cheers could not be dc.
: Continued on PAGE @, Column 1.