On Thursday afternoon, April 21, the University crew defeated the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, over a two-mile straightaway course on the Severn, from Greensbury Point lighthouse to the boathouses, winning by two lengths of open water. The time of the University crew was 11 minutes, 16 and two-fifths seconds, the Navy finished in 11 minutes and 26 seconds. Both crews were evenly matched physically, Harvard winning through superior rowing ability.

The weather conditions were very favorable. There was little wind and a slight rain kept the surface of the river calm. The Navy got the better of the start, but the University crew soon made up the slight advantage gained. For the first quarter of a mile, both boats were very even, though the Navy rowed 40 to Harvard's 36. Then by a series of spurts the University crew drew gradually ahead, although at no point of the race did it row as high a stroke as Annapolis. At the mile, the University crew had a lead of several feet of open water. At this point the Navy's high stroke began to tell on the men and in the last half-mile Annapolis went to pieces badly, while the University crew finished two lengths of open water ahead, rowing in splendid form.

The Annapolis eight relied too much upon their arms and legs and also attempted to keep up too high a stroke; they were jerky on the catch and had a weak finish. The University crew, on the other hand, rowed a clean, hard race. The men used their weight and body swing better than did the Annapolis crew, and showed an abundance of reserve power at the finish. The time was rather poor but this is accounted for by the fact that the race was rowed against the tide, as well as against what wind there was. In a practice trial, the University crew rowed the same course in 10 minutes, 50 seconds.

The officials were: Courtenay Guild '86, referee; Lieutenant Graham, U. S. N., Mr. Gale, of Annapolis, and A. Strong '12, judges at the finish; Midshipman Brown and G. P. Metcalf '12, timers; Lieutenant Jenson, U. S. N., clerk of the course.

The orders of the crews were as follows:

Harvard.--Stroke, Cutler; 7, Waid; 6, Newton; 5, Bacon; 4, Hooper; 3, Balch; 2, Sargent; bow, Whitney; cox., King.

Annapolis. -- Stroke, Weems; 7, Johnson; 6, King; 5, Merring; 4, Loftin; 3, Zenor; 2, Spencer; bow, Meigs; cox., Williams.