The class races, after several vexatious delays, have at last taken place. A sharp, cutting north-east wind was blowing during the whole race, and the water was in a bad condition for a race. The race was a plucky one, and from the start was virtually between '82 and '83. The crews crossed the line in the order of their classes, '82, '83, '84 and '85. The official time was as follows: '82, 12m. 43 s.; '83, 12 m. 47 s.; '84, 13 m. 43 s.; '85, 14 m. 15 s.
The tug left the wharf at Boston bridge at precisely 12.25 with about fifty people on board, including the officers of the race. A rather strong north-east wind was blowing at the time and the water was in very bad condition for rowing. The referee's boat went from the West Boston bridge to the Union boat-house, where it took in the referee, Wm. S. Eaton, Jr. It then proceeded directly to the starting line. A new method of starting the the crews was adopted for the first time this year. A rope was stretched from the bank near the Mill-dam road to a point about the middle of the bridge. There were placed at equal distances along this rope boats, each kept in place by guy-ropes, from which the crews were started. This arrangement insured a perfectly fair start.
The first crew to make its appearance, '82, came in sight at 12.52, and took its position third from the wall. '82 was soon followed by the '83 crew, which took its position second from the wall. '84 took its position next to the wall, and '85 outside, fourth from the wall. The colors of the crews were as follows: '82, green and white; '83, blue and white; '84, orange and black; '85, red and white. As the crews were about ready to start, the schooner R. P. Chase went across the track, and delayed the race considerably. The different classes were about evenly represented on the tug, and successive cheers were given for each crew.
'82 started off at 37 strokes to the minute, and '83 at 32. At the short wall '84 was a length behind, and '85 was virtually out of the race before 100 yards had been rowed. At the short wall, '82 was gaining steadily, and '84 falling astern. Half-way between the short wall and the sluiceway '82 was a length ahead of '83, and there were two lengths of clear water between '82 and '84. At the sluiceway '82 made a spurt, and '84 was a good four lengths behind. About half-way between the sluiceway and the pump, '82 was still ahead, but '83 was gaining gradually. When the crews were opposite the old inn on Beacon street '83 made a good spurt and gained a fraction of a length on '82. At this time '82 was rowing 32 strokes to a minute; '83, 31 strokes; '84, 30 1/2, and '85, 30. At the pump '82 was still ahead, but '83 was spurting and making a perceptible gain. About a half a mile from the finish '82 commenced spurting beautifully.
At a quarter of a mile from the boat-house, '83 again made a slight gain, but '82 then commenced a spurt that she kept up till the finish, and went away from '83. '82 passed the line first in 1 1/3 lengths ahead of '83, in 12m. 43s.; '83 second in 12m. 47s.; '84 third in 13m. 43s.; and '85 fourth in 14m. 15s.
The Union boat-house, the walk along the street side of the course and the tug were the scenes of the wildest excitement at the close. In spite of the inclement weather, large crowds witnessed the race, and their enthusiasm had no limit. The '84 and '85 men naturally had a down-cast look, but nevertheless they were loudly cheered, while '82 and '83 received a perfect ovation.
NOTES.The HERALD wishes to express its thanks to Col. W. A. Bancroft and the other officers for their uniform kindness to its representatives, and for their valuable help rendered it throughout the race.
There were about thirty ladies at the Union boat house.
Quite a number of men were so unfortunate as to miss the tug.
Spyglasses and opera-glasses were in great demand at the finish.
One of the starting boats was swamped before the crews came in sight.
Judges at the finish were Henry G. Chapman, Jr., and F. W. Moulton.
The order of the crews today at the start was as follows: '84 next to the wall, '83, '82, '85.
At the close of the race each man of the '82 crew was cheered by his enthusiastic classmates.
The '83 crew appeared to be taking off their jerseys when the signal to start was given, consequently '82 got nearly a length ahead on the start.
The officers on the tug were as follows: Wm. S. Eaton, Jr., Union Boat Club, referee; Col. W. A. Bancroft and H. C. Chapin, '82, timekeepers; judges, Prof. J. W. White for '82, Wilbur Parker for '85, James Otis for '83, S. I. Hudgens for '84.
The crews were composed as follows:
SENIORS (color, green and white).
Age. Height. Weight.
Bow, M. S. Crehore 23 5 06 155
2, H. R. Hoyt 20 5 08 1/2 143
3, H. H. Sherwood 22 5 09 150
4, J. W. Babcock 25 5 09 160
5, C. R. Dean, captain 21 5 10 148
6, J. P. Clark 22 5 07 152
7, G. W. Perkins 22 6 00 160
Stroke, X. H. Goodnough 21 5 09 148
Coxswain, H. T. Oxnard 115
JUNIORS (color, blue and white).
Age. Height. Weight.
Bow, J. D. Sherwood 21 5 09 1/2 150
2, H. Binney 22 5 09 149
3, J. M. Burch, captain 21 5 11 1/4 150
4, J. H. Smith, 22 5 11 1/2 153
5, G. P. Keith 19 5 10 1/2 153
6, C. J. Hubbard 25 6 01 1/4 164
7, C. M. Belshaw 21 5 07 1/4 177
Stroke, C. P. Perin 20 5 08 1/4 161 3/4
Coxswain, S. P. Sanger 94
SOPHOMORES (color, orange and black).
Age. Height. Weight.
Bow, G. R. Agassiz 19 5 08 140
2, S. I. Hutchinson 20 5 10 3/4 162
3, H. W. Bliss 20 5 10 175
4, W. F. Wesslhoeft 20 5 10 3/4 166
5, F. McN. Bacon 18 5 07 1/4 163
6, H. R. Wood ward 20 5 10 1/2 172
7, W. U. Mumford 20 5 09 178
Stroke, W. S. Bryant, capt. 20 5 11 150
Coxswain, C. B. Davis 103
FRESHMEN (color, red and white).
Age. Height. Weight.
Bow R. L. McCook 19 5 05 150
2, C. L. Barnes 21 5 10 155
3, J. J. Storrow 18 5 10 1/2 156
4, A. S. Howard 19 5 09 158
5, A. G. Kallock 20 6 01 176
6, C. F. Gilman 20 5 09 1/2 170
7, S. P. Read 20 5 09 150
Stroke, A. Keith 17 5 09 153
Coxswain, J. L. Whiteside 87
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