THE SPORT OF ROWING Columbia drew the centre with Jesus in the Bucks and University in the Berks station. Thus the real trial for the cup was to be made on the first day, for any crew that could beat Jesus would win. “Columbia left beautifully rowing 40 and had a lead at the quarter, and at the Remenham Farm (about half a mile then) they had a length and took the University water. Jesus made a spurt for Columbia, and it looked as though a deliberate foul would occur, and the oars did touch, but the crews straightened out and the struggle started between Columbia and Jesus. “The Cambridge men spurted grandly, and on the last quarter the boats were almost stroke for stroke, but Goodwin roused his men to 44, took at first inches on each stroke, then feet, and finally at the line had over a length. “Hertford won [the other] heat and were the American opponents for the final. “In the final, Columbia had the Bucks and Hertford the Berks shore. Both started nicely, but Columbia had the speed and at Fawley Court led by a length and started over to take the Hertford water. The crowd of oarsmen following on the bank yelled to Hertford to spurt in order to win on the foul, and Hertford did spurt. “Their only hope lay in this spurt, and their oars nearly touched the Columbia stern when Goodwin called for another burst of speed, which took Columbia two lengths ahead. “The rally had been too much for the Englishmen, and bow grew weak, lost his control, and the shell ran into the bank with its fainting crew. Columbia, seeing the accident, slowed up and paddled down to the finish line. “Columbia’s Four – E.E. Sage bow, Cyrus Edson, H.G. Ridabock and J.T. Goodwin stroke – were a remarkable crew. They conducted themselves so well that even the English, who lose so badly, could find nothing to suggest as to the demeanor of future crews.”1249 Gilbert Bourne: “Socially they were very acceptable to English oarsmen. After they had won their race, an American College yell was heard for the first time at Henley, the crew shouting out the letters C. O. L. U. M. B. I. A. at the top of their voices.”1250 This was America’s first victory at Henley, and it would be thirty-six years before another U.S. college crew would match their accomplishment. In 1881, Cornell University entered a four in the Stewards’ and Visitors’ Cups. They were denied admission to the latter and were eliminated by Thames R.C. in the heats of the former. After the regatta, they challenged the Stewards’ winner, Hertford, and lost handily, twice running into shore. The Cornell crew elicited grumbling that even though they were classified as amateurs in America, they did not fit the English definition of gentleman amateur.1251 Rowing Almanack: “It is well known now that one was an acrobat, and another a swivel rowlock and rigger maker, who were made members of the Cornell University in order that they might row in the crew.”1252 This controversy would haunt American entries at Henley for the next half century. 1249 Ibid, pp. 63-5 1250 Bourne, Memoirs, p. 73 1251 There was also the shameful matter of the Cornell stroke-seat, Shinkel, conspiring with an Ithaca saloon keeper to fix the races at Henley and other stops in Britain and Vienna. See Crowther, pp. 75-6 1252 Qtd. by Page, p. 21 334
