1913 Results

From “The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, 1858 – 1937”, compiled by Louis Heiland, Secretary

Clark, who formerly pitched on both the Princeton and Pennsylvania nines, showed that he possessed the versatility as an athlete, when he left the field six lengths behind.

Vesper was returned a victor after a most grueling finish, winning in the last furlong by about three feet.  The pace was so hot that stroke Hoffman, of the vanquished crew, collapsed after his crew reached the finishing line.

This race afforded one of the most thrilling finishes ever witnessed on the Schuylkill.  At the Trolley Bridge all the boats were together, not any of the crews having an advantage over the others. When the crews reached the half mile mark Malta had the lead by almost half a length, followed by Vesper and Crescent.  As the call of the Coxswain, Vesper quickened it stroke, gaining on Malta inch by inch, but it appeared as if they would be unable to catch them before crossing the line, as they had also quickened their stroke when called upon by their Coxswain, but about two hundred yards from the finish, Brogan, rowing six for Malta, caught a crab, and before the disconcerted Malta crew could get working properly, Vesper had overcome the lead and finished first with a bare yard to spare.  In this race, Griffith, No. 2 for Vesper, broke his seat a quarter of a mile after the race started and he had to finish sitting in the bottom of the boat.

This race was a walk-over, as Allison was no match for Kelly.

So close was the finish that it was impossible to pick the winner, and the Judges declared it a dead heat.  In the row-off between Pennsylvania Barge and Malta another great race resulted.  Until the last quarter mile both crews were practically on even terms and when they commenced hitting it up Pennsylvania Barge showed it had a trifle more stamina than Malta, winning by about two feet, the result being in doubt until the last few strokes.

One of the surprises of the afternoon. Until the last hundred yards both crews were rowing stroke for stroke, neither having any advantage, and when the call came for quicker strokes both crews responded, first one leading by inches and then the other, but in the final few strokes Undine quickened and had just about enough at the finish to be declared a winner.