More on the History of Community Rowing in Pelham

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Understanding the history of repeated efforts to construct a world-class rowing course in Pelham Bay and the area between Hunter's Island and the mainland known as the Orchard Beach Lagoon is critically important to understanding the evolution of the area that became today's Orchard Beach and the Orchard Beach parking area.  Today's Historic Pelham Blog article attempts to shed further light on that history.

The lovely Orchard Beach Lagoon formed from the remnants of Le Roy Bay off the shores of Pelham were improved and used as the site of the 1964 Olympics Rowing Trials. See Tue., Apr. 19, 2016:  The 1964 Olympic Rowing Trials Off the Shores of Pelham in The Orchard Beach Lagoon. The Orchard Beach Lagoon, however, was used as a competitive rowing course for many years before the 1964 Olympics Rowing Trials. 

Indeed, during the 1930s, noted North Pelham resident Theodore J. Van Twisk of River Avenue began pressing to convert a portion of the Orchard Beach Lagoon into a one-mile rowing course.  See Fri., Sep. 01, 2017:  Long History of Community Rowing in Pelham.  Van Twisk was widely known as an avid oarsman who eventually served as executive of the New York Rowing Association, a member of the Rowing Association, and a member of the Rowing Committee of the United States Olympic Games Committee. He also served for a number of years as Captain of the New York Athletic Club. 

Theodore J. Van Twisk's efforts did not bear fruit for a number of years. After the construction of Orchard Beach and the Orchard Beach parking lot, the bay that once separated Hunter's Island from the mainland looked more like a quiet, beautiful, still-water lake than a bay. Only the northeastern end of what once was known as Le Roy Bay remained an outlet to the Long Island Sound. The resultant "lagoon" (not a true lagoon) was viewed as a perfect site for a competitive rowing course. 

There was a problem, however. Even as late as 1940 there were remnants of a wooden bridge that once connected Hunter's Island to the mainland in the lagoon. The remnants cut across the Orchard Beach Lagoon. Until these bridge remnants could be removed, any such rowing course would have to be developed on one side of the bridge or the other and, depending on the side chosen, could only be as long as one mile rather than the preferred 2000 meter or 1-1/4 mile length necessary for Olympic tryouts, National rowing races, and Intercollegiate races. Additionally, there was a need to dredge the lagoon which had begun to grow shallow due to the buildup of silt. 

These issues did not stop Theodore J. Van Twisk and his colleagues. In an effort to show the viability of the Orchard Beach Lagoon as a rowing race course, they arranged for the New York Rowing Association, composed of sixteen colleges, athletic clubs, and rowing clubs, to hold a high-visibility regatta in the lagoon on August 18, 1940. The course ran from the remnants of the old Hunter's Island wooden bridge toward the southwest end of the Orchard Beach Lagoon at the shore adjacent to City Island Road -- a distance of one mile. See id.  

The move showed the viability of the Orchard Beach Lagoon as a world-class rowing race course, leading to its successful development and deployment as the site of the 1964 Rowing Trials off the shores of Pelham.  See Tue., Apr. 19, 2016:  The 1964 Olympic Rowing Trials Off the Shores of Pelham in The Orchard Beach Lagoon.

As one might suspect, Theodore J. Van Twisk's efforts to develop the Orchard Beach Lagoon as a premier rowing race course were not the first such efforts.  Even in 1915, more than a century ago, such a planned race course was described by a New York City newspaper as " long anticipated and long projected water course for aquatic sports on Pelham Bay."  

In about 1913, oarsmen throughout the New York City region began efforts to organize a rowing club the membership of which was to be limited to "university graduates" with the purpose of boating "an all-college crew each year that will rank with the Leander Club of England," the best in the world at the time.  Efforts to organize the club, however, foundered due to "lack of a suitable course."

Beginning at the outset of 1915, however, the New York Rowing Association began working with New York City officials to develop a world-class racing course.  The plan that emerged by July of that year was a grandiose and expensive scheme centered on the Orchard Beach Lagoon off the shores of Pelham Manor and Pelham Bay Park.

The plan was to create a perfectly calm and well-regulated racing course by building massive causeways at both ends to completely enclose the lagoon.  Each of the causeways was to have swinging locks that could be opened or closed.  Engineers planned to open the locks twice a month at high tide to flood the lagoon and ensure that the water would be kept at the highest possible level at all times.  One news report put it this way:

"In order to insure perfect water at all times the engineers contemplate the novel plan of completely locking the water in by means of causeways, extending from Rodman's Neck to Hunter's Island and from Hunter's Island to the mainland, just south of Travers Island.  Each of these causeways will contain swinging locks, and it is part of the plan of the engineers to flood the course at high water twice a month and to keep it at all times at high water level."

There was a problem, however.  In order to construct the rowing race course within such an enclosed lagoon, the decrepit wooden bridge between Hunter's Island and the mainland had to be removed.  By that time (mid-1915), the wooden bridge had been condemned by park authorities.  The same news report said:

"The construction of this land-locked course will make necessary the removal of the wooden bridge between Hunter's Island and the mainland.  This bridge has been condemned by the park authorities in The Bronx, and $60,000 has been appropriated for construction of a new one.  By using this money -- and the scheme has the approval of the city officials -- to build the causeway at the northern end of Hunter's Island the cost of the entire project will be greatly reduced.  In all about 1,800 feet of causeway will be necessary -- 600 at the north end of the island and 1,200 at the south end."

Local oarsmen were overjoyed.  Talks of creating the new club of university oarsmen began anew.  A sense of optimism pervaded local rowing clubs.  Several announced they would build boathouses on Pelham Bay as soon as construction began on the causeways with swinging locks.

Construction never began.  Indeed, it was another two decades before Theodore J. Van Twisk's efforts to develop the Orchard Beach Lagoon began to bear fruit.  With the construction of today's Orchard Beach and the Orchard Beach parking area that connected Hunter's Island with the mainland and closed off one end of the "lagoon," Van Twisk's efforts took on added urgency.

1966 Map Showing the "ROWING BASIN" Between Orchard

Beach and the Mainland Extending from an Area Near Orchard

Beach Road in Pelham Bay Park to Shore Park in the Village

of Pelham Manor. Map from the Author's Collection.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"GREAT AQUATIC COURSE PLANNED FOR NEW YORK
-----
Land-Locked Waterway To Be Located in Pelham Bay Park.
-----
EXPENSE TO CITY WILL BE SMALL
-----
University Rowing Club Project Has Been Revived -- Would Rival Leander.

New York's long anticipated and long projected water course for aquatic sports on Pelham Bay seems at last to be close to realization.  It is confidently believed by those who are furthing the plans that actual construction work will be started in a few months and that the project will be carried through to a speedy completion.

The New York Rowing Association, in conjunction with the city officials, has been pushing the scheme for the last six months, with the result that plans have been drawn and specifications outlined.  All that remains is to obtain the consent of the Board of Estimate and the appropriation of less than $100,000, which, it is believed, will be sufficient to carry the project far enough along to make it nearly ideal for canoeing, rowing and long distance swimming sports.

Coincident with authoritative statements that the Pelham Bay course will be ready in a short time, there has also come to light the projected formation of a rowing club, whose membership is to be restricted to university graduates, and whose purpose will be to boat an all-college crew each year that will rank with the Leander Club of England.  

All that has retarded the organization of this club in the last two years has been the lack of a suitable course. With the completion of the Pelham Bay course in sight the originators of the plan for a university club are going ahead with their plans and expect to have their organization complete early in the fall.

The projected water course is in the extreme northeast corner of Pelham Bay Park and taken in the stretch of water beginning at Travers Island and running south between Hunter's Island and the mainland to Rodman's Neck.  There is ample room for a mile and 1/2 straight away.

Perfect Water Assured.

In order to insure perfect water at all times the engineers contemplate the novel plan of completely locking the water in by means of causeways, extending from Rodman's Neck to Hunter's Island and from Hunter's Island to the mainland, just south of Travers Island.

Each of these causeways will contain swinging locks, and it is part of the plan of the engineers to flood the course at high water twice a month and to keep it at all times at high water level.

The construction of this land-locked course will make necessary the removal of the wooden bridge between Hunter's Island and the mainland.  This bridge has been condemned by the park authorities in The Bronx, and $60,000 has been appropriated for construction of a new one.  By using this money -- and the scheme has the approval of the city officials -- to build the causeway at the northern end of Hunter's Island the cost of the entire project will be greatly reduced.  In all about 1,800 feet of causeway will be necessary -- 600 at the north end of the island and 1,200 at the south end.

Even in its present condition at high water the course offers few obstructions and practically no shallow water, so that a minimum amount of dredging will have to be done.  The course is 500 feet wide at its narrowest point, and the shore on both sides is high and rocky, affording a natural grandstand from end to end.  

It is not the intention of the city authorities to restrict the course exclusively to rowing, although the rowing clubs of the city have been the most active in having the plan advanced.  Sites for rowing and canoe clubs will be granted by the city at the southern end of the course, where a small creek will be dredged out to afford a waterway to and from the course.  

One of the features of the course is that a boulevard is to encircle it completely.  In the event of regattas being held on the course, the boulevard will afford a means of following the races from start to finish.

Rowing Clubs Interested.

When completed the course will be the only one within the metropolitan district where rowing may be enjoyed in safety and without interference from currents and river traffic, as is the case on the Harlem and the Hudson.  It will be possible, too, the rowing men assert, to hold regattas of national importance on the course.  New York has not had the national regatta since 1900, because of lack of facilities.

What the project would mean for rowing in New York can only be conjectured.  Already the Atalanta, Friendship, and Lone Star clubs have agreed to build at Pelham Bay as soon as the course is ready.  Although the course will not be as accessible as the Harlem, it is not more than fifty minutes from the Battery by way of the subway to West Farms, and thence on the Harlem River Railroad to City Island station.  The proposed site of the boathouse is not more than three minutes' walk from that station.

The proposed club of university rowing men will be organized, it is said, as soon as work is begun on the Pelham Bay course.  The plan for such a club was proposed by a group of Columbia, Harvard and Yale rowing men last summer, and the project was dropped temporarily after several discussions because no course was available for practice.  The broaching of the Pelham Bay plan has revived the scheme, however.

Letters have been addressed already to Anson Phelps Stokes, secretary of Yale University; Dr. J. Duncan Spaeth, of Princeton; Thomas Reath, of the University of Pennsylvania, former steward of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association; Public Service Commissioner Frank Irvine, former dean of the Cornell University Law School and an intercollegiate steward; William A. Shanklin, president of Wesleyan University, and officers or old rowing men of all other colleges, inviting them to submit ideas and the names of former oarsmen from their universities who are in New York.  It is estimated that more than three hundred former college oarsmen live in the metropolitan district.

It is planned to interest these men first of all and to have them form the nucleus of the club, afterward recruiting the membership from university men in general.  There will be a combination of rowing for pleasure and in competition.  Primarily all men using the boats will be considered pleasure oarsmen, but the best of these will be grouped in shells, from which will eventually be chosen crews which will be sent into competition.

These crews will be coached by one of the college coaches during the summer months, and it is the plan to be represented in the Henley regatta in England at least every other year, if not every year, and also to invite the best of the English crews to visit this country."

Source:  GREAT AQUATIC COURSE PLANNED FOR NEW YORK -- Land-Locked Waterway To Be Located in Pelham Bay Park -- EXPENSE TO CITY WILL BE SMALL -- University Rowing Club Project Has Been Revived -- Would Rival Leander, N.Y. Tribune, Jul. 18, 1915, p. 6, col. 1.

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Long History of Community Rowing in Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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When the Pelham Community Rowing Association held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its beautiful new boathouse on Glen Island on October 27, 2009, Pelhamites were continuing nearly a 120-year tradition of supporting the sport of rowing in the waters off the shores of Pelham.

Among the first structures built on Travers Island by the New York Athletic Club when it opened its summer home in Pelham Manor in 1888 was a series of boat houses used to store, among other things, rowing shells used for training, racing, and recreation.  Ever since, rowers have been seen at nearly all times in the waters off Pelham shores.

"Boat Houses, Travers Island."

Source:  "Forty-Sixth Games of the New York Athletic

Club" [Program], Jun. 13, 1891 (NY, NY:  New York

Athletic Club, 1891).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

As I have written before, the lovely Orchard Beach Lagoon formed from the remnants of Le Roy Bay off the shores of Pelham were improved and used as the site of the 1964 Olympics Rowing Trials.  See Tue., Apr. 19, 2016:  The 1964 Olympic Rowing Trials Off the Shores of Pelham in The Orchard Beach Lagoon.  

Few are aware, however, that the Orchard Beach Lagoon was used as a competitive rowing course for many years before the 1964 Olympics Rowing Trials.  Today's Historic Pelham article will document these circumstances.

During the 1930s, noted North Pelham resident Theodore J. Van Twisk of River Avenue began pressing to convert a portion of the Orchard Beach Lagoon into a one-mile rowing course.  Van Twisk was widely known as an avid oarsman who eventually served as executive of the New York Rowing Association, a member of the Rowing Association, and a member of the Rowing Committee of the United States Olympic Games Committee.  He also served for a number of years as Captain of the New York Athletic Club, then the fifth ranking officer in the organization.  

Theodore J. Van Twisk's efforts did not bear fruit for a number of years.  After the construction of Orchard Beach and the Orchard Beach parking lot, the bay that once separated Hunter's Island from the mainland looked more like a quiet, beautiful, still-water lake than a bay.  Only the northeastern end of what once was known as Le Roy Bay remained an outlet to the Long Island Sound.  The resultant "lagoon" (not a true lagoon) was viewed as a perfect site for a competitive rowing course.

There was a problem, however.  Even as late as 1940 there were remnants of a wooden bridge that once connected Hunter's Island to the mainland in the lagoon.  The remnants cut across the Orchard Beach Lagoon.  Until these bridge remnants could be removed, any such rowing course would have to be developed on one side of the bridge or the other and, depending on the side chosen, could only be as long as one mile rather than the preferred 2000 meter or 1-1/4 mile length necessary for Olympic tryouts, National rowing races, and Intercollegiate races.  Additionally, there was a need to dredge the lagoon which had begun to grow shallow due to the buildup of silt.  

These issues did not stop Theodore J. Van Twisk and his colleagues.  In an effort to show the viability of the Orchard Beach Lagoon as a rowing race course, they arranged for the New York Rowing Association, composed of sixteen colleges, athletic clubs, and rowing clubs, to hold a high-visibility regatta in the lagoon on August 18, 1940.  The course ran from the remnants of the old Hunter's Island wooden bridge toward the southwest end of the Orchard Beach Lagoon at the shore adjacent to City Island Road -- a distance of one mile.

Fifty-five crews entered in nineteen events in the regatta.  The events began at 10:00 a.m. and continued until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 1940.  Several hundred spectators lined the shores of the Orchard Beach Lagoon.  According to one account, although "Nearby Long Island Sound waters have been used for practice by oarsmen for many years . . . this was the first time that competition had been conducted under the rules of an organized rowing association."  

Two entries had scratched before the competition began, so 53 entries from eight clubs of the rowing association competed.  When the nineteen events ended, the Nereid Boat Club took first place in points.  The Nassau Boat Club finished second.  The New Rochelle Rowing Club finished third.

The sport of rowing was continuing to grow in popularity.  It would not be until 1964, however, until a regulation Olympic Trial course could be laid out after the remnants of the wooden Hunter's Island bridge were removed and the lagoon was dredged.  

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"IN THEIR FINE NEW BOAT-HOUSE.
-----
THE HANDSOME ISLAND HOME OF THE NEW-YORK ATHLETIC CLUB.

The members of the New-York Athletic Club have just taken possession of their handsome new boat-house, at Travers Island. Having sold all the buildings they formerly occupied at One-hundred-and-fiftieth-st. to the Young Men's Christian Association, they purchased thirty acres at Travers Island and during the last few months have been beautifying these new grounds. The situation is an admirable one; is easy of access, and yet sufficiently isolated to insure privacy. The island is connected with Glen Island by ferry-boats; and yesterday to a Tribune reporter approaching the boat-house from that direction a gala appearance was presented. Hundreds of the club members were bathing, boating or sitting on the broad verandas which surround the building.

The boat-house is probably the largest in the country, and is certainly one of the most complete. On the first floor are the boats, which include everything in that line from a single shell to a seven oared barge. The members expect in a short time to have a full complement of sailing vessels; and one man intends to add a small schooner to the collection. On the second floor are bath-rooms and long rows of lockers, each provided with a combination lock. On this floor also is a large veranda, from which can be obtained a splendid view of all the neighboring islands. A little to the left of the boat-house is the cafe, which was formerly a cottage, and which in its present use is only a temporary arrangement. About four hundred feet northeast of this a large club building with a frontage of seventy-five feet will be erected in a short time. The dining-room will occupy the whole of the first floor; and, in the upper floors there will be about fifty rooms for those who desire to live on the island.

The building will cost about $40,000, including the furnishing expenses. There are a number of smaller buildings, and of all them and a small stable in the rear are painted a dark red; and, surrounded by beautiful groves, and lawns on which are a number of tennis courts, they present a beautiful appearance. About ten acres of the property of the club is marsh-land, which it is their intention to fill up and raise to the level of the surrounding grounds. Between the cafe and the site of the proposed new club-building is a fifth of a mile cinder track. The governing board of the club at present consists of twenty-one directors, who have the power to appoint all sub-committees."

Source:  In Their Fine New Boat-House, New-York Tribune, Aug. 12, 1888, p. 16, col. 2.

"Oarsmen Plan Own Regatta
-----
Pelham Bay Lake To Be Used As Course
-----

After many years of patient waiting, what bids fair to develop into the finest and most picturesque rowing course in the country will be given a trial by New York's oarsmen.  On Sunday, Aug. 18, starting at noon, the New York Rowing Association, composed of 16 colleges, athletic and rowing clubs, will hold a regatta on that beautiful stretch of lake like water between the Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park, by the golf links, and the driveway and parking space which backs up Orchard Beach.  Here lies a mile course, starting from the City Island Road to the old Hunter's Island Bridge, which is second to none.  All that needs to be done to make the course adaptable for holding Olympic tryout, National and Intercollegiate races is some dredging and the removal of what still remains of the old wooden bridge, which formerly connected what was Hunter's Island to the mainland.

This would permit the free passage of the shells to the 2000-meter or 1 1/4 - mile marks, still within the city limits.  The entire stretch is admirably protected and with the only outlet east of Hunter's Island, it gives every appearance of a park lake which, in reality, is just what it is."

Source:  Oarsmen Plan Own Regatta -- Pelham Bay Lake To Be Used As Course, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 1, 1940, p. Sports 14, col. 7.  

"Rowing Association To Stage Regatta On New Pelham Bay Course Aug. 18
-----
Orchard Beach Improvement Has Made Possible One Mile Rowing Course Between Hunter's Island and Mainland.
-----

The dream of many local rowing enthusiasts will be realized with the first regatta on the new Pelham Bay Park lagoon on Sunday afternoon, August 18.  Several years ago in The Pelham Sun, Theodore J. Van Twisk of North Pelham, executive of national oarsman's organization, urged the institution of a rowing and canoe course in the vicinity of Hunter's Island, in Long Island Sound.  The Orchard Beach improvement of the New York City Department has made possible what Mr. Van Twisk recommended.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, starting at noon, the New York Rowing Association, composed of 16 colleges, athletic and rowing clubs, will hold the first regatta on the lagoon paralleling the shore road between the mainland and Orchard beach, extending one mile from the City Island road to the old Hunter's Island bridge.

All that needs to be done to make the course adaptable for holding Olympic Tryout, National and Intercollegiate races is some dredging and the removal of what remains of the old wooden bridge which formerly connected Hunter's Island with the mainland.  

This would permit free passage of the shells to the 2000 meter of 1 1/2 mile marks.  The entire stretch is admirably protected and with the only outlet east of Hunter's Island, it gives the appearance of a lake.  The location is convenient to the Travers Island rowing house of the New York Athletic Club.  Not very far away is the New Rochelle Rowing Club.  Oarsmen of both these groups now use the unprotected waters of Long Island Sound for their training."

Source:  Rowing Association To Stage Regatta On New Pelham Bay Course Aug. 18 --
 Orchard Beach Improvement Has Made Possible One Mile Rowing Course Between Hunter's Island and Mainland, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 2, 1940, p. 9, cols. 7-8.

"Oarsmen Stage Regatta Aug. 18

NEW YORK -- What appears to be one of the finest rowing courses in the country will be given a trial August 18 when the New York Rowing association, composed of 16 colleges, athletic and rowing clubs, will hold a regatta on a stretch of lake like water between the Shore road in Pelham Bay park and the driveway and parking space which backs up Orchard Beach.

Here lies a mile course, starting from the City Island road to the old Hunters Island Bridge which is second to none."

Source:  Oarsmen Stage Regatta Aug. 18, Times Union [Albany, NY], Aug. 9, 1940, p. 14, col. 3.  

"55 CREWS ENTER ROWING EVENTS
-----
First Regatta Will be Staged on Sunday at New Pelham Bay Park Rowing Course.
-----

With an entry of 55 crews in 19 events, the first regatta will be staged in the new Pelham Bay Park rowing course on Sunday.  Among the clubs interested in the program are the New York Athletic Club and outstanding oarsmen's groups.  The establishment of the rowing course comes as the result of agitation for such sports facilities by Theodore J. Van Twisk of North Pelham, who is Captain of the New York Athletic Club, and a past president of the New York Rowing Association.

A series of one mile races will be held on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m.  The races will start at the old Hunter Island bridge and finish near Orchard Beach."

Source:  55 CREWS ENTER ROWING EVENTS -- First Regatta Will be Staged on Sunday at New Pelham Bay Park Rowing Course, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 16, 1940, p. 7, col. 6.

"REGATTA DRAWS MANY SPORTSMEN
-----
First Events on New Rowing Course in Pelham Bay Park Prove Popular With Rowing Enthusiasts
-----

Several hundred sports enthusiasts enjoyed a program new to this vicinity on Sunday in the first Summer regatta of the New York Rowing Association held on the new Pelham Bay Park course between Orchard Beach and the mainland.  Nearby Long Island Sound waters have been used for practice by oarsmen for many years, but this was the first time that competition had been conducted under rules of an organized rowing association.  Many spectators lined the shores of the rowing course extending from the old Hunter Island bridge to the City Island road.

The regatta was the result of long agitation for a rowing course in this vicinity, by prominent oarsmen, including Theodore J. Van Twisk, of North Pelham, who is a past president of the New York Rowing Association.  

Eight clubs of the rowing association were represented in the 53 entries in competition.  The Nereid Boat Club topped the group in point scoring.  The Nassau Boat Club was second and the New Rochelle Rowing Club third."

Source:   REGATTA DRAWS MANY SPORTSMEN -- First Events on New Rowing Course in Pelham Bay Park Prove Popular With Rowing Enthusiasts, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 23, 1940, p. 7, col. 3.  

"Silvia Scores In Shell Race
-----
Joe Angyal Triumphs in Single Man Event
-----

New York Rowing Association officials who looked with some trepidation on the selection of the Orchard Beach lagoon in Pelham Bay Park as the site for their annual regatta packed up their equipment today firmly convinced that they will be back again next year.

The 15-event program, highlighted by Joe Angyal's triumph in the single shell event, was hailed as a brilliant success.  Angyal, who conquered Joe Burke in 1938, won by three boat lengths over his closest competitor in the three-quarters of a mile race.

The New York Athletic Club senior double shell combination of Frank Silvia, who lives in the Bronx and works in Mount Vernon, and Ed Simpson defeated Angyal and his clubmate, Joe Nicastri, by a close margin in the final event of the program.  The Nereid Boat Club won the team title, finishing with 38 points."

Source:  Silvia Scores In Shell Race -- Joe Angyal Triumphs in Single Man Event, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 19, 1940, p. Sports 10, col. 1.  

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