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RACE an engineer. Most of the other rafts consisted of inner tubes connected in some fashion to form an almost seaworthy construction. Numerous rafts were simply inner tubes with sheets of plywood at tached to the top to form a deck. Bill Sandow's and Charles Kahaly's raft consisted of four inner tubes with bamboo poles lashed across the top. Extending from the main deck was a flagpole, proudly flying a German World War I Veteran's flag, who the men claimed to represent. The award for "special effects" went to junior Mendel Boykin and sophomore Billy Culler, who must be commended for bravery for negotiating the Saluda on a raft constructed of two styrofoam motorcycle shipping crates. The "Most creative raft" award went to Captain Richard Ewing and his crew. Their raft was made from nine large plastic chemical drums. In the words of a crewma "It rides like a Cadillac, but it stinks." One unseaworthy craft was being carried up from the river, despair wtitten all over the crewmen's faces. An observer found humor in their misfortune and asked, "What's the matter, did you try your raft out?" An inebriated mariner was lying on his vessel playing his har 18 '"' Tues.- Pia Thurs.- 2O0Q Headquaters.f ....Moe.. Corner.La. From I monica, , apparently unconcernc that his dubiously constructed ra would not withstand the voyage "Damn the torpedoes, and har me another beer," he shouted. In an effort to protect the cast c his leg, one aspiring seaman ha carefully wrapped a plastic ba around his leg. With the announcement that tt race was about to begin, there wz a mass migration to the river bani Very few of the rafts were law ched in accordance with Navi regulations. As most contestanl approached the river bank, the stepped in the slippery mud an fell into the river, thus christenin their ships. Bcause the landing area wa so small, contestants were ir formed they had to paddle ul stream in order to make room fo the other christenings. The sailor were wearing themselves out jus preventing themselves fror . starting prematurely. The Queen Mary of the rafts wa a mammoth construction of som 20 inner tubes, which more closel resembled a barge. The luxuriou vessel accomodated eigh passengers and even had separate inner tube which housed full-sized trashcan full of ice an beer. The 3.5 mile race originate from the WIS radio station near th Saluda River and conclude sza Night Draft Night ii .:::: ::::::: .......... . ICK I ST. estern Look at evy's pparel & boots yr most anything kVy's & Assembly age One shortly beyond the rapids acros t from Interstate 26. 1 Approximately 200 peopl gathered on the rocks to watch th seafarers negotiate th treacherous rapids. First to cross the finish line ani totally outclassing all competitioi were Clayton Dahlen and Mik, Tarlton. They won two kegs o beer for their efforts in over powering the course in a time of 6 minutes. Second place was captured b, Richard Ewing, Steve Phillips Van Horton, Mark Drenner ani Ron Hurden, piloting theii "Chemical barrel" over the cours4 in 82 minutes. Third place overall and first ii the independent division went ti Jack Hutchins, Erick Drumm Craig Ellis, Robert Kelly, Garl Morris, Blake Forbes, Bruc4 Hough and Richard Carter, The only all-woman raft place( fourth, a tribute to Carolyn How( and Vicki Harvey. Coming into the rapids they were in a commanding third position, but wer( sidetracked by the disagreeabl( currents and lost valuable time The raft that had the easiest timf shooting the rapids was apparently the "Queen Mary," By the tim( they reached the ticklish obstach everyone was so drunk they nc longer cared about their finishing time. f * Ii Some USC students take advantage of the w in front of the Russell House basking in the sickles. Some don't. Somehow, sitting in the r beer sounds a little strange, but at least it's ref Courtney Dicely. a* fAWXHON5 BY DAV ISONS 6~2&O4CA I arm weather by sitting sun, munching on pop flection pool sipping a reshing. Staff Photo by O67