Inter-House crew almost received a severe setback Thursday when the Adams shell sprung a leak and nearly went to the bottom. Shamed Gold Coasters successfully kept the news under cover until last night.

Weld Boathouse denied sabotage but pointed to the fact that the shell had just been repaired following a collision in the confusing in the float earlier in the afternoon.

In any case the Plympton Street oarsmen were hitting smoothly downstream when, passing under the Cottage Farm Bridge, the coxwain noticed a small gear rising into the boat under the number four man. Whereupon short and a handy float were headed for and, in a hot sprint, reached just before submersion.

This is the second time in two weeks that House crews have been in the news in a spectacular light. A fortnight ago there occurred the incident of the Lowell-Wellesley race, a race which never materialized, officially because of adverse publicity.