The Rives Boat Club’s fourth race was held on July 6, 1880 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Four crews competed: the Rives, the Olympic crew of Richmond, Va., the Appomattox Crew of Petersburg, Va., and the Rappahannock crew of Fredericksburg, Va.
“The Rives went into the race in 1880 with a new paper gig. It was not satisfactory in some particulars, but the defects were discovered too late to procure another boat. They rowed this year against Fredericksburg for a challenge cup given to the Virginia Association of Amateur Oarsmen by Major Seth B. French of New York, formerly of Fredericksburg.”
The crew was made up of all veterans with one exception and the Rives won by ten lengths. “This race was easily won by the University crew; Appomattox, second, Olympic, third, and the Rappahannock, last.” (Coach J. Redwood, Corks and Curls)
The Crew:
Bow: Charles L. Andrews of Baltimore, Md.
No. 2: George Carlyle Graddy of Versailles, Ky.
No. 3: Frank Hampton, captain, of Columbia, S.C.
Stroke: Braxton D. Gibson of Charleston, W.Va.
Steering: John Redwood, coach, of Baltimore, Md.
Newsletters, Programs, & Press
The Virginia University Magazine Volume XX| Abbreviated Version with Pages Involving Rowing | Full Version via UVA and Hathi Trust | October 1880