Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-20

New London, Conn, June 19-By the narrow margin of four inches Yale won the varsity four mile crew race on the Thames river here late this afternoon after a struggle which will stand out in, rowing history when the competing oarsmen are mythical heroes of a for gotten decade. Through long four mile lane of steam yachts and motor boats the 16 crewmen toiled at the Crimson and Blue tipped oars as no galley. slave ever labored under the lash while thousands of spectators on shore and observation trains shrieked with the falsetto note that comes with fear or hysterfa. And when the knife like prows of the racing shells had cut past the final line of flags and the oarsmen dropped with ghastly dfstort- ed faces heaving chests and sweat dimmed eyes, few of the thousands knew whether the heartless goddess of victory had perched upon the bow of the Yale or the Harvard racing craft.
 Frantic Waving of Flags.
 On board the judges boat at the f1n- ish line could be seen the arbiters of the race frantically gesticulating in conference while first black flag and then a' Crimson one was waved at the end of a long pole. Why black flag instead of a blue one should have been displayed has not yet been ex- plained. On the white canvas covered eondals of the observation train the clans of Yale and Harvard cheered and yelled by turn catching hope and inspiration from the waving flags of those aboard the yachts clustered about the finish line. Slowly the liar yard colors hegain to sink as the judges finally resorted to the mega phone and screamed across the water that Yale had won its first varsity race in seven years by foot or less in 21 minutes 16 seconds with Harvard crossing the line one-firth of second later.
 Vale Legions Lost All Restraint.
 Then with certainty taking the place of hope the Yale legions lost all re- straint and the Blue so long furled at the end of these annual dual regattas, flashed forth in the hands of thousands Yale's athletic fortunes. Shore and Yale's athletic fortunes Shore and water appeared to be buried under the mass>of 1uttering color and the sharp Yale cheers drowned out the long drawn out Harvard rahs. On the roads parallel with the river the sirens and gigantic buzzers of the automobile added to the din for Yale had come into it's own again after a period of rowing reverses that tried the hearts of even the most loyal.
 Victors and Vanquished Saw Little
 But the victors and the vanquisned saw or heard little of the celebratiE for they had given their physical all for the time being and exhausted na- ture was taking her toll. Drifting slowly upstream with the tide, went the two shells side by side just as they lay during the 21 minutes of battle, the stress of which is so little appreci- ated by those who have never sat in a racing shell. Too exhauste to hold themselves upright, those who had the strength and wits to do it. splashed water on their fallen crewmates
 Yale Stroke Prone in Shell.
 Stroke Appleton. of the Yale eight Lay prone in the shell where he had dropped just as he drove the stern of his craft past the final blue flag post. McDane in the coxswain's seat. scooped handful after handful of water over his fallen leader. In the waist of the boat Sheldon, No. 4, was doubl- ed over until his head touched the planking while Titus and Sturteyant struggled with almost powerless arms 10 revive him with splashes of water. A few feet away the Harvard eight hung limp on their slides as if stun ned by the Lale victory rather than exhausted by the terrific struggle through which they had just passed when they finally awoke to the reali- Eation that after seven years of dogged determination and trying Yale had again won a race they were quick to recognize the wonderful gameness of 1heir successful opponents and cheered ehe victors in a feeble but sportsman like manner.
 Great Exhibition of Grit.
 And we'll they might, for never in has there been a greater exhibition of bulldog determination and grit on the part of the 16 oarsmen seated in rival shells. Once the starting pistol had sent them away they rowed side by side with Yale always setting the pace and Harvard responding stroke for stroke while one prov slipped away little in the lead only to be partially overhauled by the other.
 Nevsr Was Open Water Shown.
 From railroad bridge to Bartlett's Cove the battle of the oars continued and never once was there open water showing between the shells. The Blue held the advantage by from a quarter to three quarters of a shell length at every half mile flag except those mark ing the three and enc half mile sta ton. Here the Crimson crew made It's bid for victory and for few hundred yards led by several feet. Appleton raised the Yale stroke however, and soon the Ellis had rsgainsd the lead of inches which they never reiino uish- cd until booming cannon told them that the race had ended.
 Honor Enough for All.
 En such a victory and defeat there vas honor enough for all and many Harvard adherents left tho shores and train still confident that they had seen the Harvard crew win. There was no