USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 67
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Detroit, August 17 and 18, 1877-Junior four-oared shells; six entries; crew, F. G. Bulkley (stroke), G. F. Bulkley (No. 2), Alex.
Grant (No. 3), Oliver Johnson (bow) ; distance, three miles; time, 19:48. In this race the Florals made the best time ever made over a three-mile course by a junior four, 19:48, and this record has never been equaled or lowered. The shell, " Horace T. Conant," re-rigged with- ont coxswain, was used in the last two races. Junior Double Scull - Five entries; crew, Joe C. Sterling (bow) and James F. Grant (stroke); distance, two miles ; time, 16:31.
The Amateur Boat Club was organized in August, 1872, and purchased the four-oared coxswain lap-streak, " T. N. Perkins," of La Chapelle, of Detroit. The following year they purchased of the Detroit Boat Club a four- oared shell, and in 1874 a four-oared coxswain shell of E. Waters & Sons, twenty-two inches by forty-three feet. These two shells they sold to the Sho-wae-cae-mettes, who refitted the last mentioned boat (after using it in one race at Toledo) without coxswain, and in this boat the " Sho'es" won all their victories. In 1875 the Amateurs obtained a new four-oared paper shell of Waters & Sons, the " Jennie E. Thompson," and H. W. Waldorf, vice president, presented the club with a fine single shell, and with this boat, " George Bolsby, Jr.," the Amateurs at the regatta of the National Association, held at Newark, New Jersey, won the junior single shell race. Distance, one and one-half miles straight away ; time, 9:40. This was the best time ever made in that class up to that time. Frank Sterling trained a crew in the "T. N. Perkins," which was called the "French Crew," and for several years were the champion barge crew of the Raisin and also a crew that prom- ised to rival the celebrated "Sho'es." They were entered in the six-oared shell race at Detroit in 1879, and in the race out-rowed all contesting crews, coming in far ahead of them all, but were not awarded the race on account of having turned the stake the wrong way.
The Babes in the Woods organized in June, 1873. Their only club boat was an old-fash- ioned lap-streak single scull, the " Medora," twenty inches by thirty feet, formerly owned by W. D. Morton, of Detroit, and presented by him to J. C. and W. C. Sterling, who fitted her ont as a double scull, and was again refitted by the Babes for a four-oared lap-streak. In the first regatta given by the River Raisin Navy September 2, 1874, the Babes in the Woods in the " Medora," with a crew composed of
393
AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN.
Norman Perkins (stroke), A. V. Diffenbaugh (No. 2), W. Waldorf (No. 3), and W. P. Ster- ling (bow), defeated the Floral's " Atlanta " and Amatenrs' " Perkins" with their best crews in a race of three-quarters of a mile and return. Time, 9:573. The Babes were finally consoli- dated with the Amateurs.
The Sho-wae-cac-mettes (the Indian for " lightning on the water ") Boat Club was form- ed in August, 1874, and commenced to row in the old four-oared cedar shell, " Lunetta," and in 1875 they purchased of the Amateurs a four- oared paper coxswain shell, the " Chas. G. Morris," and commenced to train for the com- ing regatta of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association at Toledo in Angust, with George Bolsby, jr. (bow), Joe Nadeau (No. 2), Moses Nadeau (No. 3), Steve Dusscau (stroke), and Lewis Godfroy (coxswain). Shortly be- fore the regatta Joseph Nadeau was taken sick and Anthony Schaub was put in his place. Although the " Sho'es " and Floral City's were the only crews in the race with coxswains, yet the " Sho'es " carried off the prize in the junior four easily. There were nine entries in the race, and the best crews in the association were represented. The "Chas. G. Morris" was re- rigged as a four-oared shell (without coxswain), and was used by them in all their great contests. The space allotted in this book is too small to give any account of the numerous aquatie honors (except the Watkins and Henley races hereafter mentioned) carried off by the Sho- wac-cae-mettes. But the following list of honors won by them in the regattas of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association and the National Association of Amateur Oars- men, without mentioning the numerous races won at home and at regattas held by clubs in different parts of the country, will give the reader some idea of the position they held and maintained in aquatie circles before going to England. The crews were composed as follows : In 1876, George Bolsby (bow), Joe Nadeau (No. 2), Moses Nadeau (No. 3), Steve Dusseau (stroke); 1877, Moses Nadeau (bow), Joe Nadeau (No. 2), H. Durell (No. 3), Steve Dus- scau (stroke) ; 1878, same crew as in 1877.
The following is a list of races won at re- gattas of the Northwestern Amateur Rowing Association by the Sho-wae-cae-mettes :
Toledo, Ohio, 1875 - Junior four-oared shells; nine entries ; distance three miles ; time, 20:48.
Toledo, Ohio, 1876 - Senior four-oared shells; six entries ; distance, three miles; time, 18:25. Open to all four-oared shell race- Four entries ; distance, three miles ; time, 18:30}.
Detroit, Michigan, 1877 - Senior four-oared shells ; four entries ; distance, three miles ; time, 18:37} Junior single senlis-Eleven en- tries ; Moses Nadeau ; distance, two miles ; time, 17.38.
Prizes won at regattas of the National Asso- ciation :
Detroit, 1877-Four oars; "Detroit Boat Club Cup ; " time, 18:46 ; distance one and one half miles and return.
Watkins, 1878-Same prize and distance; time, 18:443.
The " Detroit Boat Club Cup " was a chal- lenge prize, and in 1879 the Detroit's changed the race from a four-oared to a six-oared shell race.
On May 24, 1878, the Sho-wae-cae-mettes and Floral City crews left Monroe for Watkins. New York, to contest in the Watkins regatta to be held on Seneca Lake on the 28th. The winners of the test race were to be sent to England and France at the expense of the Watkins associa- tion. The "Sho'es" were also to contest for the challenge cup of the National Association.
Notwithstanding the objections interposed by the Atalantas, the Watkins regatta com- mittee decided to adhere to their programme, and have the test races rowed in heats. For this race there had been originally nine en- tries, but two of the crews, viz., the Emeralds of Saginaw and the Eurekas of Newark, fail- ing to put in an appearance, the remaining seven drew for position. The result was that the Atalantas, Carmans and Northwesterns were to contest the first heat; and the Sho- wae-cae-mettes, Florals, Watkins and Zephyrs the second. Our space limits us to a detailed description of the races participated in by Monroe elubs.
Suffice it to say that the first heat was won by the Atalantas in gallant style in the re- markable time of 7:22. The following descrip- tion of the second heat is taken from the New York Times and is accurate in every detail :
" The water by this time was as smooth as could be desired, and as the three crews - the Zephyrs went home this noon - pulled to their buoys, it was evident they were in for a beautiful race. Inshore lay the Sho-wae-cae-
26
394
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
mettes, swarthy, wiry, and clad in gaudy rac- ing costumes of red, white and blue. Mose Nadeau was in the bow, and with him were J. Nadeau, W. H. Durell, and S. Dussean. The Floral City's, from the same town as the in- shore crew, were No. 2. They were dressed in red from head to foot, and were easily distin- guishable in the twilight. At the outer buoy lay the Watkins crew, full of hope and pluck.
" At 7:45 the word ' go' was given by Court- ney, and the crews were off. They made a pretty start, the Floral City's getting off a trifle the quickest. For the first quarter they kept well together and all pulled a stroke of forty ; then the Sho-wae-cae-mettes hugged the bank, and the Watkins men kept well ont. The Floral City's kept a straight course and gained a lead of about a length. Opposite the powder house, marking the half mile, Nadeau gave one of his peculiar yells, resembling a sharp bark. Dusseau responded with a stroke of forty-four, and the big boat of the Sho-wae-cae-mettes went spinning to the front. The Floral City's quickened to forty-two, but at the last quarter both their competitors were leading them. On the outside the Watkins men were pulling rag- gedly a stroke of thirty-four, and appeared gone, but they somehow managed to hold their own, and it was only after another yell from Nadeau that his men made the effort that sent them over the line winners in 7:363, by three- quarters of a length. The Floral City's were third, by two lengths. The Sho-wae-cae-mettes were as fresh as daisies after the race, and pulled out into the lake to cheer their plucky opponents."
Now came the tug of war. Which crew should represent America at Henley, Sho-wae- cae-mettes or Atalantas? Both crews were determined and both confident, and the greatest aquatic struggle that ever took place was at hand. Owing to the fact that the water of Seneca Lake was invariably rough after ten A. M., it was decided by Mr. Courtney to hold the final heat at half-past five Saturday morn- ing. The time drew near and everything was auspicious ; as the signal gun boomed out the boats took their position. With no loss of time the word was given and the boys bent to their oars, Atalanta pulling thirty-five and Sho- wae-cae-mettes forty. No decided advantage was gained by either crew, the Atalantas bend- ing their broad backs to the work as they
never had done before ; the Sho wae-cae-mettes working with a will, and watching their oppo- nents as a cat watches a mouse.
Half the course passed and neither crew has gained a foot of advantage.
The numerous friends of the New York crew shout wildly from the judges' boat, leaning out over the rail, while the Sho-wae-cae-mettes labor without a word of encouragement. Fi- nally the grand stand is neared, the boats are still neck and neck, suddenly from the shore the Monroe boys give shouts that echo back from the opposite hills -- those who have voices left, shout encouragement, entreaties, threats : " Pick her up, Steve !" "Joe !" " Mose, put her on, old boy ! " "Sho-wae-cae-mettes !" Those who have lost their voices in the previous race, blow fish horns, and the whole crowd run along the bank, tumbling over the rocks and bushes and behaving like mad men. Half way past the grand stand the boats are still abreast. As the shouts reach the " Sho'es," they straighten to their work and pulling forty seven strokes, fairly leap their shell out of the water. Ata- lanta may give up the ghost now, as far as this race is concerned; the plucky Monroe boys walk past them like a flash, and cross the line fully a length ahead. Time, 7:17.
Reaching the shore the victors are fairly dragged from their boat by their enthusiastic friends, and the wonder is that they are not torn limb from limb in their exuberant joy.
Having won this race the Sho-wae-cac mettes have won the greatest distinction attainable by any boat crew in America. If they win at Henley, they will have reached a pinnacle be- yond which no oarsmen in the world can go.
The three-mile race for the National Chal- lenge cup, which the Sho-wae-cae-mettes held last year, and additional heavy gold badges offered by the Watkins people, took place at about ten o'clock Saturday morning. The Watkins crew were tired, the Atalantas dis- gusted, the Carman and Zephyr crews had gone home, and at the call for the boats three only drew up to the line.
All Western crews, all Michigan crews, and two of them Monroe crews : The " Sho'es," the Florals and the Northwesterns. This race was to be a mile and a half and return. The North- westerns in their uniforms of white, had the outside buoy; the Sho wae-cae-mettes, who showed no signs of fatigue after their hard
395
AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN.
struggle in the morning, had the middle posi- tion, and the Florals the inside.
At the word go the twelve oars struck the water simultaneously, the Florals taking a slight lead, Sho-wae-cae-mettes second and the Northwesterns last. For half a mile the Florals gradually forged ahead and at the end of that distance had a lead of a clear length and a half, pulling a stroke of forty to the minute. The Sho-wac-cae-mette and Northwestern crews pulled nearly abreast, it being evident that the former were holding their strength in reserve, while the latter crew was pulling as hard as they knew how. Occasionally the Sho wac- cae-mettes amused themselves by leading the Saginaw men a length, and then cheering them vociferously as they spurted to regain their lost advantage. At the mile buoys the Florals still held their lead, pulling regularly and in good style, while the Sho-wae-cae-mettes toyed with the tardy Northwesterns, showing that they were not by any means doing their best. When within an eighth of a mile of the turn, the sinewy Sho'es with a good spurt pushed past the Florals, and turned the stake and started for home just as the Florals commenced to turn. The latter crew had just begun to straighten away on the home stretch, starting off in good shape, and with lots of reserve strength for the finish, when a loud crack was heard, and one of the outriggers broke, the rods falling into the water of the lake. This of course threw them out of the race, very much to their disappointment, as they were capable of maintaining a good second position. The rest of the struggle lay with the North- westerns, who, though pulling pinckily, fell behind rapidly. As the Sho'es approached the grand stand, being about ten lengths ahead, they ceased rowing, and waving their hands in the air, shouted cheers back to the men in white. Finally, laying to their oars, the Mon- roe boys spurted to the end at a forty-five stroke, passing the line in 18:46, with their opponents several lengths behind. This race concluded the programme of the regatta, and as the Sho-wae-cae-mettes reached the shore, they were met by the Watkins band, which escorted them to their boarding-house playing a triumphal march.
The Carman crew of Washington Heights paid the Florals, Sho-wae-cae-mettes and other crews the compliment of an instrumental sere-
nade, just before their departure. This club is composed of very fine, gentlemanly fellows, who gave ample proof of their ability to row a plucky racc.
The Sho-wae-cae-mette crew sailed on the Anchor Line steamer " Alsatia " for England June 4th, with E. D. Price as manager, and John L. Huffman as substitute. A large dele- gation of boating men accompanied them to the steamer to bid them farewell and wish them bon voyage. They landed at Southamp- ton. The London and Southampton Railroad Company placed a salon carriage at their ser- vice and conveyed them to London free of ex- pense. They arrived at Henley June 20th. The following are clippings from letters of Mr. Price, describing the course, regatta, race, etc.
" A path extends along the bank of the Thames from the start to the finish of the re gatta course, the starting point being about a mile and five-sixteenths down the river from Remenham Island, a little strip of land upon which stands a large white pagoda. For about a mile the course is straight and then there is a sharp turn to the left. This is believed to make a serious difference in the position of the boats, and it is generally believed among oars- men and townspeople that the cre.v lucky enough to draw the inner position numbering from the Berkshire side has an advantage of nearly two lengths over an opponent. After four o'clock in the afternoon hundreds of people line this pathway all the way from start to finish and the 'coaches,' mounted upon horse- back, gallop along the river's edge shouting out instructions to their crews while practic- ing. The ' coaches' are generally professional watermen. Sadler, ex-champion of England, is here with the Jesus College crew of Cam- bridge. He is a tough-looking, broad-shonl- dered, gray-headed little man, and was a tol- erably good oarsman before he became old and ' stale.'
" At the east end of the bridge, on the Berk- shire side, is a spacious and well-fitted boat house, owned by the Henley Royal Regatta Association, and set apart for the exclusive use of crews entered for annual competition. Here may be found a vast number of eight and four oared shells and single sculls, and gener. ally a large attendance of oarsmen attired in fancifnl suits of bright-colored flannel.
" If style alone would win a boat race, the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
oarsmen of England could never be beaten. Any prediction concerning the coming contest for the Stewards' Challenge Cup would be hazardous now, inasmuch as the decisive re- sult will be known in America before the arrival of this letter. I may say, however, that the preliminary work of the Sho-wae- cae-mettes inspires one with increased confi- dence in the superiority over any four now here, and the London crew is the only one to hear from. The bronzed cheeks and hardened muscles of the Michigan oarsmen are in marked contrast with the pale faces, white arms and more aristocratic appearance of the English- men, especially the college fours. The English crews all pull in good form, and some of them dash off with a thirty-eight or forty stroke, but they do not long maintain it. I think that some of the fours here, especially Jesus College and Kingston, can row a mile very fast, but I doubt whether they will stand the strain of a hard, desperate race from the start to the finish, such as the Sho-wae-cae-mettes are sure to give them. As yet the Monroe crew have been disguising their work as much as possi- ble, never pulling above thirty-eight. On the Monday previous to the regatta, the time for making objections then having expired, they will let out a few stitches and perhaps com- mand more respect. Among themselves the English scoff at the idea of an American crew. When addressing an American, or aware that one is within earshot, they are vastly compli- mentary, and ' really 'ope that the Hamericans will win, after coming so far, you know.'"
" If the great American public imagine for an instant that their aquatic representatives did not come out of the struggle with credit. they should be undeccived in that respect. The five men who toiled so stubbornly and desperately to maintain their national honor upon the Thames deserve no word of reproach, no feeling of ill-will. They came thousands of miles to face the best oarsmen of the United Kingdom, upon their own favorite course, at the most important of the scores of regattas an- nually held in England ; they came handicap- ped by insufficient time for recuperation and preparation, and crippled by the insidions cli- matic influences of a strange country ; they won more than half the battle, and finally, when the coveted trophies of the victory were almost within their grasp, they saw them
snatched away, their disappointment being embittered still more by the realization that accident was the cause of defeat.
" The regatta was unquestionably a very in- teresting event, although but few of the races were closely contested. The attendance was large, and noted for the aristocratic character of its composition. My lord and my lady were to be seen upon every hand ; the massive bridge and its approaches were packed with luxurious carriages, whose elegantly attired inmates sipped seductive beverages and discussed choice salads, served by liveried footmen ; the grand stand, resplendent with the royal arms and a profusion of showy flags, had a high- toned occupant for every upholstered seat ; the lawn in front of the old Red Lion was crowded, and the broad meadow upon the Berkshire side, from start to finish of the course, was alive with people, chiefly of the middle classes, together with scores of the pictur- esquely clad boating men who raced along the water's edge, cheering on their respective crews during the contests. Interspersed with all these were monntebanks, Irish vocalists, Cockney minstrels with blackened faces, thrumming the banjo and trying to palm themselves off as negro singers; old women, men and boys peddling fruits, programmes and cigar lights; beggars beseeching for alms; beery laborers importuning for 'six- pence to drink your 'ealth, sir,' but with all these no disorder, no disturbance, nothing to mar the pleasure and success of the affair.
" But it was npon the water that the most brilliant spectacle was presented. Anchored along the Bucks side of the stream were numerous little steam launches, gaily deco- rated with flags of all nations, including the Stars and Stripes, while the narrow Thames was literally covered with hundreds of pleasure boats, loaded with richly attired ladies and their escorts, shooting about in every direc- tion and literally obscuring the course, until one unfamiliar with the management of affairs could scarcely believe . that a race could be possible. But, fortunately, the management was characterized by a promptness and pre- cision entirely unknown in American regattas. In one corner of the grand stand was a carpeted division, furnished with desks and arm-chairs, set apart for the secretary and stewards. Here the veteran secretary, Charles
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AQUATIC SPORTS AND OARSMEN OF THE RIVER RAISIN.
Towsey, of Margate - who has held his office since the Henley Regatta Association was or- ganized, thirty nine years ago, and has never missed a meeting - watched through a power- ful glass for the start of each heat. When it was effected he waved a red flag as a signal to a distant gunner. The cannon sounded, and instantly, as if by magic, the myriad of small boats darted inshore and left the course clear. The care of the course was intrusted to Mr. Lord and his Thames Conservancy men, who were in small boats distinguished by red flags. They were clothed with full authority by law, and if the occupant of a boat failed to comply with an order to move out of the way he was instantly summoned and subjected to a penalty of £5 or £10. A second command is rarely needed. There are fifteen heats the first day, commencing at twelve o'clock sharp and occurring every half hour, and the programme was completed at 7:30 to a minute. The um- pire never waits a minute for a tardy com- petitor, and the crews, knowing that the rule is inflexible, are always on time at the start- ing point.
Height.
Weight.
Age.
Moses Nadeau (bow) 5.06
138
27
Joseph Nadean (No. 2).
5.05
140
23
Henry Durell (No. 3)
5.07
140
25
Stephen Dusseau (stroke) 5.11
160
26
" The Sho-wae-cae-mettes, whose gallant ex- ploits in America had won for them the repu- tation of being a phenomenal crew, were not quite so unfortunate, although they came to grief eventually Their peculiar rapid stroke is so diametrically opposed to all the estab- lished English theories of rowing that it horrified every Englishman who witnessed it. For the first few days after arrival their chances of success were scoffed at, although still later, when they came in day after day entirely fresh and had accomplished the course on a trial in 7:52, the natives began to entertain considerable respect for them and wonder if there might not be something in the strange style after all. From the first fortune seemed to frown upon the Michigan representatives. In the first trial heat for the Stewards' Chal- lenge Cup, the great event of the regatta, they were unlucky enough to draw the Bucks side, the very worst station, while their compatriots from Columbia College secured the coveted inside place. To make matters interesting the
Dublin four were sandwiched in the middle. The latter crew was composed of big powerful men, including R. H. Labat, who was one of the picked four of the London Rowing Club, de- feated by the Beaverwycks at Philadelphia in 1876. Dublin got the best of it at the start, but the Sho-wae cae-mettes pounded away at a forty-six stroke, until before half the course was done they had drawn clear of both the other crews. Moses Nadeau steered a beautiful course, and at the bend shot across to the very best possible advantage and was then two lengths ahead. It was at this juncture that Dublin, finding themselves rapidly going to the rear, ran into Columbia in such a manner as to indicate that the foul was intentional. This enabled the Sho-wae-cae-mettes to go in at their leisure, although they put on a bit of a spurt opposite the stand, just to entertain the spectators. Columbia claimed the right to row in the final heat, but the umpire, J. G. Chambers, editor of Land and Water, very justly refused, upon the ground that at the time of the foul their chances of winning were hopeless. This victory for the Sho-wae-cae- mettes raised them still higher in the estima- tion of boating men, and although odds of five to four were laid against them for the final heat with London next day, there were not a few who believed they would beat the crack English four, and not only believed but hoped it, for their dashing style had won for them many admirers.
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