Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-01
BOAT CLUB CREWS FEEL
ABSENCE OF STAR STROKE
Dorsey Tyler is Kept From Practice
for Two Weeks by
Illness.
ENTERED IN BIG REGATTA
Coach Van Vliet Will Send Two
Shells to Labor Day Event in Phil
adelphia-Works Hard Developing
Strong Combinations.

The development Of the four-oared
and e!ght-oared crews that will rep
resent the Virginia Boat Club at the
Middle States regatta in Philadelphia
on Labor Day has been greatly retard-
ed by the indisposition of Dorsey TYLER.
| Two weeks ago yesterday ne reported
as usual at the boathouse for prac-
tice, but stated that he had eaten some
thing which had disagreed with him
| and had Caught cold on top of it. He
has done no rowing since. Owing to
the fact that he occupied the impor-
tant position of stroke" his continued
absence for such a long period as two
weeks so close to the day Of the race
| has been severe handicap.
Plunkett. Cavanaugh and Mason were
tried out in the position of stroke"
and while all of them are good men,
none could fill the position in such a
satisfactory manner. Coach Van Vliet
| claims that the first requisite of a
stroke" Is a cool head. The ability to
slash his oar through the water, stroke
after stroke. he says, is almost. II not
quite, as important. And, correlated with
! the first requisite (because no man suf-
| fering with superheatcd Uranium can
! execute the movement under the stress
! and excitement of a race) comes tho
all-important ability to keep the re-
| cover slow.
In S. y. Thompso who rowed No. z
in the crew that defeated Analostan,
| Van Vliet believes he has found the
man who measures up to the exact
| ing requirements and responsibilities of
the position.
Changing from the port side OF the
boat to starboard is not a serious mat
ter for Thompson. as he formerly
rowed on the starboard side. And from
| the way he handled himself and his oar
| while stroking the -four last week
he gives every indication of develop
| Ing into a frst-clasS stroke"
| FOUR-OARED CREW
| WILL BE BEST MEN
| The four-oared crew Will comprise
| the four best men from the eight. With
Thompson rs stroke and powerful Lum
| Wexford, No. 3. the other places in the
| boat are not filed as yet. Mason will
make No. 1 position IL he can over
come the fault he now has OF drop
ping his hands at the finish Of the
| stroke. which causes the boat to list
and throws it off it's keel. Dean Haw
| has been rowing No. g and would be a
| fixture there IL 1t were not for the fact
| that he has to spend week In camp
with the Signal Corps. If Tyler re-
covers and resumes practice within
| the next few days, he can, no doubt,
fill the place.
The eight-oared crew will be built
up with the -four as a foundation.
The -four will probably occupy the
seats towards tho stern. that Is. stroke
dates for the other four places as fol-
lows: Plunkett. Hart. Cavanaugh.
| Montgomery, S. Tyler. Lacy, Cottrell.
Morrison, Bruner and Burk About
August z, Coach Van Vliet will select
the four men who, SO far as he can
judge by appearances. are doing the
most effective rowing. He will then
invite each of those left out to chnl-
lcnge any Of those selected. Chal-
lenged and challenger will be taken
| out in gig, each pulling an oar on
opposite sides. and the man who pulls
the other around will thereby demon
strate his superiority and earn a place
in the eight"
Woodson waddy. one of the com
mittee appointed to look after the
clubs interests in the building of the
new $500 cight-oared shell. returned
Friday from a trip to New York City.
]. j. Wallis, who Is building the new
boat, and saw 1t in course of con-
struction. Mr.. Waddy Is perfectly
satisfied from what he saw that the
new boat Will outclass anything tho
club has ever had In the shape of an
eight cared she'll. Wallis promised to
ship it August 16. If he does so, 1t
will arrive In Richmond the follow
ing morning, as it will come by e1-
press
Many members of the club are wear
ing the new rowing shirts, suggested
by Coach Van Vliet. They are woven
OF fine worsted with alternate stripes
| two and a half inches wide OF scar
lot and white. Every one pronounces
them very handsome. They are also
| very distinctive. no other club in the
| country having the same combination
OF colors or such wide stripes