New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-08
Two Water Carnivals on
Card This Week-Graham
and Thomson Cup Con-
tests at Rye Beach.
Rv l.. DE h. HA\DLEY.

Proficiency in swimming is proving a
valuable asset in the European war, as
indicated b. the following excerpt from
a letter received by a local waterman
from a friend in Manchester, England
Probably never before" he says,
twas there greater need for ability IN
swimming and lifesaving, as in the
present conflict. Most of the big bat
ties have been fought along rivers
the Marine, the Aisne, the 4ser-and
both in advance and retreat the armies
have been obliged TO cross and recross
large and small streams, often when
nearly all the bridges had been de-
stroyed. AS result, Workmanship has
played an important part, and we are
constantly hearing of heroic rescues,
generally under fire, by men who, not
long since, were garnering more peace
able honors in the field Of sport. We
have good reason to feel proud OF our
swimmers"
Two water carnivals, both for women,
will be held this week. The first is
scheduled to take place on Thursday IN
the big pool of Steeplechase Park.
Coney Island under the supervision Of
the Glenmore Athletic Club; the second
on Saturday, at Long Beach, Long ISL
and.
A surf race is to be the feature of
the latter. Marks will be anchored of
shore, and the competing mermaids are
expected TO start from the beach. dash
through the breakers, swim TO and
around the marks, then return to land,
where the finish line will be drawn.
. Il hnf n
of the contestants with the boiling surf
promises to be spectacular, for a large
and representative field will answer the
clerks call.
The Rye Beach Club has issued entry
blanks for its aquatic meet on August
81, and the programme includes con-
tests for two of the most coveted per-
petual trophies of water sports, a 100
yard scratch for the Thomson Cup
and high diving test for the Graham
Cup. The former is now held by Mich
olas Nerich, of the New York Athletic
Club, and the latter by his teammate.
Albert +. Downes, who recently capt
ured the national high diving cham
pionship in San Francisco.
Frequent inquiries regarding Ameri-
can swimming records for women sug-
gest the advisabilty of pointing out
that no official list has ever been COM
piled in the United States. The Anna.
teur Athletic Union only makes known
what performances have been accepted
as standards, after its annual meeting,
in the fall, and women were not
granted registration until the last ses-
sion. so that there has been no chance
to pass on any records claimed. The
times which probably will be submit
ted for consideration are the follow
ing:
Fifty yards, Miss Lucille Legros,
Honolulu, 80 % seconds, straightaway,
open water; Miss Frances Ccwells. San
Francisco, 33 As seconds. straighta-
way, indoors; Miss Olga Dorfner. Phil
adelphia. 81 seconds, , turns. indoors;
100 yards, Miss Cowells, 1:l6 As, l
turn, indoors; Miss Dorfner. l:14 2-5,
4 turns. indoors; 900 yards, Miss Cow
ellis, 1920, turns, indoors; 44O yards,
Miss Marguerite Brack. San Francisco,
1905, II turns, indoors; $50 yards,
Miss Dorfner, 1887, open water.
These figures are merely offered as
a guide TO those who wish 70 know
the speed attained by the leading
American fair natators. There is alb
solutely no assurance, however, that
any of the quoted performances will be
found fawless by the record commit
tee when investigated. Under the cir
cumstances clubs should not fail to
procure affidavits from all the serving
officials when times close TO the fore
going are made at their meets.
Alfred Brown, the professional long
distance swimming champion. has laid
out a splendid course for the metro
politan five-mle championship, and
the American LifesavinG Society will
apply for sanction 10 hold the event
on the first available date, late this
month or early in September. The
course is triangular. Starting from
the foot of Seventh Avenue, College
Point. it will lead 70 and around marks
anchored off Riker's Island and East
Elmhurst, then back TO starting point
Barrett Small, the Olympic Club
swimmer, who defeated a year ago the
redoubtable Duke Kahanamoku at so
wards. in worlds record time, writes
that Jack Robinson, one OF his young
teammates, is likely to develop into
sprinting champion in the near future.
The lad swan the half century at
recent meet in 25 seconds. and this is
fast going for a green, inexperienced
competitor.
The seventeen-mile Chester.Phila-