The Harvard heavyweight crew redeemed itself and successfully defended the Compton Cup on the Charles Saturday, but it had to come from behind to do so.

With only three-quarters of a mile to go in the race, M.I.T. led the Crimson by a full length, and was headed for its first Compton Cup victory since the cup races began 28 years ago. But then the Crimson, headed in reinstated stroke Perry Boyden, turned on the stream and overtook the Engineers to win by a length in 10:19.6. Princeton finished in third place at least a length behind M.I.T., with Dartmouth last.

Winning Time Slow

Late afternoon winds from the southwest made the race tough going all the way for the boats. The winning time was the slowest in the history of the race, and was bettered by one minute and 20 seconds by the JV winner just an hour earlier. M.I.T. won that race in 5:58.8, followed by Princeton, Harvard, and Dartmouth.

The Indians finished last in every event, in the freshman race, Princeton won, followed by Harvard, M.I.T., and Dartmouth.

M.I.T. got off to an early lead in the varsity race, and maintained its lead to the mile mark with about two more strokes per minute than Harvard. Then the Engineers gave out.

The Crimson crew meets Navy and Penn in the Adams Cup race on the Charles next Saturday in what could be the second stage of the grand comeback.