Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-03
CREW MEN GET ,DUCKlNG.
Georgetown Shell Runs Into Fishing
Boat on Upper Potomac.

For the first time in two years one or
the Blue and Gray crews was given
ducking in the chilly waters of the
upper Potomac yesterday afternoon. The
boat, in which the first eight Of the prep
school was practicing, was steered by the
coXswain into rowboat anchored in mid
stream a short distance below Aqueduct
bridge, and, although Capt. Brady and
his men made a game effort to gain the
bOathouse float before the craft sunk
the she'll was not equal to the occasion
and went under few feet above the spot
Of the collision.
Immediately the nine occupants were
drenched in the cold waters, and cries
for help brought aid from number of
small fishing boats in the vicinity Al
but two of the youngsters could swim,
but these two, Coxswain McCrystal and
Dick Jones, the latter a local lad, We're
having a difficult time clinging to the
slippery bottom of the overturned boat.
The two varsity Fights under the direc-
ton of Coach Dempsey soon came upon
the scene, and under the direction of
Dempsey the men were all safely landed
in the different roWboats, while a launch
towed the shell to the boathouse.
was made up of Capt. Brady of the
props, Jones, Hawkins, Mas, Revel,
Rodriguez, DilkeS and Banner. The reg
ular coxswain, Vanneman. was absent
and a green man by the name of McCrys-
tai was substituted. The eight left the
float a short time after the two varsity
crews started for their daily spin down
the river and headed for the turn at
32d street. 1t was evident as soon as
the shell went under Aqueduct bridge
1tS&l -
it, and it was really surprising that he
did not meet with disaster sooner. AS
it was he drove the frail boat head-on
into the stern of a heavy fishing scow,
slowing large hole into the bow of the
eight-oared craft
When the damaged boat was set on the
racks in the boathouse it was found that
fully half of the bow will have to be
replaced before the shell can be used
again. 1t is likely that work will be be-
gun on the boat the beginning of this
week, in which event the props will prob
ably be able to use it again before Sat
urday.
The accident yesterday was the third OF
the kind that has happened to George
town crews during the past four years.
In 1907 the props steered the new racing
boat of that spring into the float two
days before race with the Tech High
eight of this city. AS the eInbryos were
forced to obtain a new craft for the race
of the men. with the result that the
high school lads succeeded in anneXing
victory in one of the closest rowing
events that has ever been seen on local
waters Two years ago the varsity crew
performed stunt much like the one yes
terday, although it happened later in the
year and very few i'll effects followed
from the accident.
The varsity Fights yesterday were row.
ed over the full four-mile stretch under
the observance of Coach Dempsey. They
rested very seldom during their prac-
tice, and for this early in the year the
men showed remarkable endurance. Both
crews worked well together. and there is
no doubt but that the men are fast get
ting into the Dempsey stroke. AS the
first race in which the varsity will par
ticipate is but six weeks soff, it is prob
able that the fipal picking of the two
Fights will be made in short time.
The engine for the coaching launch has
arrived and will be installed during the
present week. while it is also likely that
the new racing shell will be launched
before another Sunday comes around.
The boathouse has just been given new
coat of paint which, together with 9TH
er improvements, places the boat club in
first class shape for the furtherance of
the rowing game this year.