1907 Portland Fourth of July Regatta

Aquatic Ports Draw Big Crowds

Fine Series of Races Run Off Between Various Kinds of Water Craft

Many Exciting Contests

Motor-Boats, Cutters and Yachts Enter Lists in Class Events
and Struggle for Victory in Presence of Thousands

Water sports on the river yesterday proved among the most diverting features of Portland's big celebration. Thousands gathered on the bridges and docks while hundreds of launches, canoes and rowboats were chartered by the crowds.

Seldom has the harbor presented a more gala appearance. All ships in the harbor, with flags and bunting displayed in honor of the day, and the throngs of spectators lining the bridges and every point of vantage in order to view the sports, added to the attractiveness of the river front. The weather was perfect, and throughout the day there was not a serious accident.

Arrangements for carrying out the river races yesterday were well planned. The events were run off without a hitch, and there were no unnecessary delays. The cruiser Charleston was in holiday dress, and the shores of the lower harbor were lined with spectators who were interested ion the outcome of the cutter races between rival crews of the war vessels. These races were exciting and created no end of enthusiasm among the members of the Charleston's crew.

Fine Motor-Boat Race

The biggest event of the river races was the contest between motor boats, the start being from the starter's boat just south of the Morrison-street bridge. The course was then north to a beacon in the river near the Portland Flouring Mills, which the racers were to round, and then return to Ross Island and round a stake boat, thence back to the judges' boat at the Morrison bridge. The course is a bout eight miles in length, and there was a splendid opportunity for rival owners of motor boats to show the merits of their crafts. A fine list of entries was in line when the starting gun was fired.

The Vixen, owned by J. E. Wolff, won the race with Flirt 14 seconds behind. The time made by the Vixen, which was the scratch boat, all the others being allowed handicaps, was 25 minutes and 18 seconds. The Flirt is owned by Fred Lind and had a 3:45 handicap over the Vixen. Silver Heels, a two-horsepower boat, owned by A. L. Bardeck, finished third. Kittie, C. E. Mathiot owner, was fourth; Teaser, E. Von der Worth owner, was fifth; Arrow, J. Campbell, finished sixth, and Anita, G. G. Wentworth, came in seventh. The only other boat entered was the Zip, Raymond Hale owner, which did not finish, as she began to fill with water after covering part of the course. The Nancy, the powerful boat of W. B. Honeyman, did not run, her engines being out of order.

(Transcribed from The Morning Oregonian, July 5, 1907, p. 10. )

[Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this page. — LF]