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1910 Astoria Regatta
Greenhorn Wins Handicap Event
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ASTORIA, O
r., Aug. 31.—(Special)—The third and last day of the regatta opened with a lowering sky and a threatening rain, accompanied by a chilling wind, but even this did not dampen the ardor of the thousands of visitors, and long before the hour set for the first contest the grandstand and wharves were lined with crowds of people eagerly awaiting the starting of the sport. During the forenoon, however, the sun came out and some of the best contests of the entire regatta were witnessed.The first race called was the final of the speed boat handicap contest. The entries were the Greenhorn, Sylph and Wigwam, the latter having an 11-minutes handicap.
RACE IS SENSATIONAL
It was one of the most sensational and hotly-contested races of all, and for a time it was a tossup who would carry the honors. Wigwam was outclassed in every way, coming in third in spite of her 11-minute lead. The other boats, the Greenhorn and Sylph, ran neck and neck until passing the second buoy, when the Greenhorn gradually gained a slight lead, which she maintained for the first lap.
On the second lap the Sylph took the lead on the middle of the course, holding it and passing the flagship 14 seconds ahead of her adversary.
During the last lap of the race the Sylph lost badly, the Greenhorn stealing steadily ahead until the end of the lap and the race, when she came in a winner by over a minute and a half. The actual running time of the boats entered was: Greenhorn, 62:45; Sylph, 63:40; and the Wigwam, 75:32.
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS RUN
The next event was the final of the Pacific Coats championship speed race. The entries were the Wolff II, the Pacer and the Happy Heine. The Seattle Spirit was originally scheduled as a contestant in this race, but owing to defective machinery was unable to make the lineup. The Happy Heine took the lead by several minutes when the Wolff II and the Pacer tore down the stretch neck and neck, passed the line together and were off.
It was nip and tuck for the first lap, with Pacer slightly in the lead. Wolff II picked up during the second lap and again the Pacer met with a mishap, and was forced to come in a slow second on one cylinder. The time on the first lap for the two was: Pacer, 9:55; Wolff II, 9:59.
The second lap was made by the Pacer in 10:59, and by Wolff II in 9:55. The third was Pacer 12:23 and Wolff II 9:54. The fourth and last was Pacer 11:53 and Wolff 10:14. The fastest heat of the three days’ racing made by the Pacer was 9:55 and was made during the first heat this morning. The Wolff II’s fastest time for any one heat was also made this morning and was 9:15. Each heat covered a distance of five miles.
The entire time for the three days’ race, covering 12 heats and a distance of 60 miles was made by the winner, Wolff II, in 119 minutes 57 3-5 seconds, the Pacer 126 minutes 12 seconds.
The 35-horsepower motor boat race, in which there were four entries, was won by the Greenhorn, with the Sylph second and Zip third.
The cutter race between crews from the cutter McCulloch, the tenders ArmeriaSeattle Spirit and Mazanita and the French bark General de Boisdeffre, was won by the McCulloch’s crew, with the Armeria second, after an exciting finish.
PARADE ENDS FESTIVITIES
The regatta came to an end this evening with a marine parade which was one of the most beautiful spectacles ever seen on the local waters. Fully, two score of craft, ranging from the larger lighthouse tenders and bar tugs to the smaller pleasure launches, each decorated with myriads of various colored electric lights and Chinese lanterns, circled about the harbor, forming a beautiful picture. The prize of $75 for the best decorated boats was awarded to the Hartman, with the Lottie second, and the A. H. Company third.
[Excerpts transcribed from The Morning Oregonian, September 1, 1910, p. 6.]
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May Transfer Engines
ASTORIA, O
r., Aug. 31—(Special)—Owing to the fact that the engines of the motor speed boat Seattle Spirit behaved so badly that the craft was unable to make a creditable showing in the local speed races, the report is now current that negotiations are in progress to transfer the Pacer’s engine to the hull of the Spirit and make another attempt to wrest the laurels from the Wolff No.2 at the regatta to be held in Portland on Labor Day.[Transcribed from The Morning Oregonian, September 1, 1910, p. 6.]
(Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this page —LF)
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