s.

The first race between the rival clubs was held in 1871, the year of
their organization. The crews rowed in four-oared barges over a two-mile
course. The best time made was 8 minutes and 53 seconds. In 1874 the
course was changed to 1-3/4 miles, and each club organized a second
crew, owing to the increasing number of candidates for a seat in the
boat. These crews also rowed in four-oared barges, as did the thirds,
which were organized a few years later. In 1883 the first crews rowed in
six-oared barges for the first time. The course was made two miles. This
gave a new interest to the sport, and many fine oarsmen began to
develop. The best time for the two miles was made in 12 minutes 32
seconds, which is a very good showing for a crew made up of novices. In
1891 the first crews of both clubs began to row in eights, and the
course was made a mile and one-half without a turn. The fastest eight
rowed over the course in 8 minutes 25 seconds, and although the crew of
'94 claim 8 minutes and 8 seconds, the former figure stands as the
record at the present time.

The routine of training is similar to that of the college crews. Soon
after the Christmas recess all applicants are taken in charge by the
trainer and the older men from former crews. The candidates are divided
into squads and put to work at calisthenics, weight-pulling, and the
first principles of rowing on the hydraulic rowing-machines. This goes
on through the winter, and one by one the poorer material is dropped and
the crews are chosen. As soon as the snow is off the ground the running
begins; short distances at first, increasing to two or three miles. The
gymnasium work meantime continues, and the mysteries of the stroke are
gradually unfolded at the machines, and each member of the crew is
coached, prodded, and scolded into proper form, until at Easter the men
have learned the full stroke.

When the school reopens after the Easter recess the daily work
continues, with practice in the water on a small pond by the gymnasium.
A working boat of two or four oars, with the coach for a cockswain, is
used for this purpose. As soon as the course at Lake Penacook is open
the crews row there every afternoon, except Sundays, going and coming in
four-horse barges. Here the drudgery stops, and the interesting though
hard work begins. The coach shouts and gesticulates from a pair oar, men
are changed about in the boats, cockswains are taught to use the
seemingly simple