Year: 1869

Boat Race the Hudson Between r.. Smith


and j. White-Smith the Winner.


The second contest between Edward Smith, OF the
Atlanta Boat Club, and James White OF the Gulick
Boat Club. came or yesterday afternoon the Hud-
son river, over the same that rOwed upon
by these parties some two weeks since. The result
OF the first race between these two amateurs, in
which, by the breaking OF stretcher, Smith lost.
not proving satisfactory to the Smith party, Sec
Ond match was arranged upon the same terms and
subject to the same conditions as the nrst THAT the
confidence Of the friends OF Smith in his ability to
defeat his opponent on anything like equal terms
was not misplaced the significant and hollow VIC
tory Of the winner testdes. The prizes in
both instances were the same, consisting
of a purse OF 5000. Side bets were also made
between the members of the rival clubs
with the balance OF preference in favor OF Smith,
Notwithstanding his previous defeat. The articles
Of agreement stipulated that the race should come
of between three and four O'Clock, but, as usual In
affairs OF this kind 1t was good hour later before
matters were brought to q crisis. AT quarter to
four O'Clock the steamboat p G. Schultz, Thomas
Moore. commander, with a party of about 200 per-
sons left the dock at the foot OF Christopher street.
and, 1t being already quite late, steamed over with
all possible haste III the direction OF the course.
THIS lay in the waters contiguous to the Elysan
Fields, and measured mile and half in length, be-
ginning at the .new dock" and skirtng the shore in





smoother than on the day OF the first race-a cOndt
ton OF affairs which materially contributed to the
excellent time made. The day, too was beautifully
clear and bright cool breeze emperlAg the heat or
the SUMS and relieving the face from what other
wise would have been painful glare But little time
was lost in arranging the necessary prelminaries.
Both men had taken preparatory pull! each showing
an almost opposite style TO that OF his rival White
by far the heavier man OF the two and stripped
a fine specimen OF the athlete. His method OF row.
ing, however was defective, being stif and abrupt,
and resembling somewhat that OF Hamill, save
that his strokes were less rapid and he lacked Ha-
mills stroke at the finish. Nevertheless his power
ful frame and superior size promised much for hts
staying qualities and were doubtless, the principal
grounds for the confidence OF his friends. Smith,
on the other hand looked and really was much the
1.-the and active to a fault Under the tutelage OF
the veteran Josh Ward he pulled long sweeping,
steady stroke, the counterpart OF that OF the Har
ward crews, and for which they are so justly famous.


on board the steamer betting was lively in the
extreme Smith having slightly the cali at ODDS OF
ten 10 nine On the lower deck two representatives
OF the ''Faderland" dispensed cooling draughts OF
OF counter, consisting of deal board resting on
two barrels. The crowd was quiet and orderly III
the extreme, the most captous falling to discover
excuse for complaint


Everything being in readiness the contestants
structions from the referee as the route be pur
sued and the manner OF turning the stakeD0at.
White won the toss for choice OF POSITIONS and took
the inside. AT precisely twenty.three minutes alter
four the word ''gO" was given and the two competi-
bent to their oars. Smith being the quicker OF
the two got little the best OF the send OIL, but was
soon afterwards cOlared and passed by White, who
Immediately Increased his advantage TO more than
o length At this time White was pulling forty Ave
and Smith thirty strokes to the minute the
latter pulling we'll within himself and seemingly
content with or indifferent TO the lead of his oppo
nent. OF the 'long dockn and when almost In con-
tact with it accidental foul occurred ana both par
ties for an instant ceased their Efforts as II about To
return and give up the race. They Kept on however,
Smith reducing the lead OF White at every stroke.
until, when about 200 yards beyond the place where
the foul occurred, the boat or the former showed In
front. At the Weehawken coal dock Smith mad u
clear lead Of six lengths, and at that point the race
however, gaining a little when his opponent O-
lowed too closely sudden bend In the snore buc
his mistake ana rectded 1t. AT the stakeboat White
was hopeessly out OF the race, turning 1t minute
time was nearly 400 yards on hls way down the
hOmestrech. Smith here took rest though the
tiRe bets soon brought MIN back to his regular
stroke and sent him ahead again faster than ever.
greeted eu MIN the crowd on shore catching M the
shouts from those on the steamer and making the
woods ring again and again with their piaudits. At
four hours, fOrty-siX minutes and forty seconds
Smith crossed the score winning the race ana purse
I'm the unprecedented time for that course, Of
twenty-fOur minutes and ten seconds. White came
in TWO minutes and thrty-seven seconds later.
about 700 yards in the rear some discussion cnsued
questlonably wrong by nearly minute. but there
was no appeal from II and as 1t was, apparently.
mistake the majority acqulesced in 1t cheerlully
and quietly could he expected under the circuiu
stances.


as Judges for Smith and White respectively.
and James Delaney as referee. The winning
boat was an Old but exceedingly good craft.
built by the eminent waterman George Roahr and
named after the widely known and veteran aquatic
authority, Charles A. Peverelly White pulled in tho
Bonnie one OF Christopher Th0rns make Thus
ended a never e-forgOtten race, and one the
more worthy OF remembrance because OF Its having
been conducted In manly, straightforward ana
generous SPIRIT where merit and merit alone de-
cided its issue. The victor NAV well be proud of his
laurels, fairly and noby won. The vanqu5hed VIII
suffer nothing from his defeat other than that winch
every donest feels when ne has failed 10 attain
an lmDOssiDla success.