Monday, 27th October, 1879.
Yesterday, the first day of the always enjoyable Autumn gathering of the Shanghai Rowing Club, was marked with most brilliant weather, though the wind w: somewhat keen and rendered overcoats useful to promenaders on the banks of the Soochow Creek, as well as to those whose duties confined them pretty nearly thronghout the afternoon to running up and down the Creek—from start to finish, and then back again to starting point—in'the useful but droughty steam-launches.
Of foreign spectators, there was a very numerous attendance, including a greater number of ladies than we remember to have seen for several years past. 'The presence of so many ladies, especially towards the latter part of the afternoon, was, we are informed, owing to the fact that a numerously attended "at holme' happened at a residence not far from the Creek, A long of carrinyes occupied that decidedly superior '"coign of vantage" the path at the rails; but both banks of the Creek presented a truly animated sight for a long distance, while the marginal waters, especially near the finish, were lined on both sides with yachts, house-boats and sampans, each occupied with a party of merry-makers, clearly bound on making the most of the glorious weather and the opportunity for enjoyment in the open air afforded them by the Autumn Regatta of the S.R.C. Chinese were also there by the thousand, and watched the proceedings with apparently the deepest zest. Many of them were evidently strangers, and seemed much struck with the fussy, bustling steam-launches as they dashed to and fro on the stream, as compared with the neat and trim eight and four-oars gliding almost silently past with equal rapidity for the nonce, but by a widely different mode of propulsion.
Mr. R. Mackenzie as usual threw open the gardens of what is now familiarly known as Miller's bungalow, and here the Town Band frequently played during the afternoon, adding much to the general enjoyment. Subjoined is a portion of the programme Selection <The Princess of Trebizoude"
Wa t2—"Spring, Gentle Spring"
Quadritie="* Des Hausliche Grand Selection Polka Stazurka—"
The first race was set down for one o'clock, and for it four boats were entered—a If and 12-oared cutter from the U.S. man-of-war Monocacy, and a 12-oared cutter each from the German gunboat Cyclop and the British corvette Modeste. Owing to unavoidable causes, neither the ILoared boat of the Monvcuey, nor that of the Modeste could attend, and the race Mr. NELSON proposed a vote of thanks to therefore lay between the American and the Consulting Committee, remarking that German crews' 12-oared cutters. Beyond the description appended to each, there is literally nothing to remark about the racing, except that the style of pulling was very fair throughout, and that the time in the Scotch and English race, a mile and a half, 8 min. 19 sec., was, by a singular coincidence, just the same as last year.
Appended is a return of the rowing Mey-or-War's Boats Racg.—No entrance fee. First Boat, $15; Second, $5. No second prize unless three start. "Dise tance, 1} miles, Entries close at the start, USS. Monee 2 oared—Red and White HUGS S coetop 2, Dank Blue...
The German crew, a fine-looking body of men, pulled in a new boat, built we believe in Shanghai, but for service and not racing purposes. Broad in the beam, she is neverthe-Jess a light and handy craft, and sat beautifully on the water, She, however, proved no match for the Monocacy's cutter, a light, snake-built boat, put together on splendid fines, being the dea ideal of what a man-of-war's boat should be—good for service and speed combined; and thesis ahint that might be taken to heart in the British Navy, the ulling boats of which are aroveralle the heaviest and most cumbersome of any Navy in the world.—The Germans won the draw for inside place, and at the signal both took the water together and went off at a slashing pace. The Cyclop's got together first, and succeeded in getting about half to three quarters ofa length ahead, a position they maintained for about five hundred yards. But in the meantime, and as soon'as the first bend was rounded, the Monocacy's came along at about 43 strokes per minute—'a speed they kept up until they ranged alongside and then passed the Cyclop's, after which it was a dollar to a China orange—the race was over and they went in winners by fully half-dozen lengths, winning easily.—Ofiicial tine not taken, which was a pity, for it was very fast.
The next race on the programme, for men-of-war gigs, did not fill.
Meneuasts' Puate.—Eight Cups, Pro-sented by the Merchants of Shanghai.
allege Eight-Oar, Scotland v, Enyland, Distance, 14 miles. Entry money, $10 per Boat.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.