The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-03-27 00:00:00

THE BOAT RACE DESCRIBED. -

The following is an extract from an interesting article in
the Daily News describing the Boat Race :
As noon approached, the throng on the banks
swelled with great rapidity. A steady stream of
humanity flowed continttously down Putney High-
street; another was setting in without intermission
across Putney Bridge. Omnibuses followed drags;
private carriages,rdensely-packed waggons, smart dog.
carts, neat waggonettes sped onward by the road lead-
ing up the river. The garden parties gathered on the
lawns by the water-side, and places were taken at
windows and upon stands. It was understood thit the
start was to take place as soon as possible after 12.40 ;
and a few minutes before that time the Cambridge
crew came down Putney High-street from the house
in which they had been residing, escorted and fol-
lowed by an immense concourse, cheering lustily.
Without a halt they made straight for their boat-
house, where they were presently conspicuous to
those on the river, as they stood in their light
blue jerseys in one corner of the balcony. The
Oxford crew found their way from the "Fox and
Hounds" by more?sequestered paths, and were in their
boathouse as soon as the Cambridge crew reached the
river side. Soon after half-past twelve a skiff, from
the stern of which the Royal standard was flying,
crossed the river from the Fulham side to the umpire's
steamboat, which was then lying close under the "Star
and Garter." In the stern sheets of the skiff sat the •
Prince of Wales steering, and his Royal Highness,
who was attended by General Probyn and Colonel
Kingscote, was immediately recognised, and greeted
with a burst of cheering of a more than ordinarily
fervent character. The Prince witnessed the race
•
from the forepart of the umpire's boat, on which was a
somewhat large company, consisting for the most part
of old rowing men. Mr. Chitty, as usual, fulfilled the
functions of umpire, but the office was in fact a
sinecure,

, The choice of positions fell to Cambridge,- and this
fortune was regarded as a good omen:— Cambridge
chose the Mi4dlesex side, but the advaniageotpoilition
was infinitesimal, since the tide was very dead and the
counter-wind very strong. The Oxford crew were first
afloat; and as they came down the along the Surrey
shore towards the starting place, rowing along, steady,
swinging stroke, every one was fain to admit that a
crew finer in phyaiqua and betterin style of rowing had
not often represented the Dark Blue interests. The
general remark was that they looked very fresh; but
then the east wind was keen enough to make a mummy
look fresh. A slight cheer greeted the crew as they
rounded to just before, the .44.quildu9t. and .where
they drifted Mr—a Short- time before pulling up
into position. A few minutes later the Cambridge
crew embarked, and the ringing cheers from the
bank as they sped clown toward the commence-
ment of the course to'd unmistakeably with which
side was the popular sympathy. By this time the
banks had become densely lined as far as the eye could
reach; roofs, windows, balconies, and lawns were alike
crowded. The Cambridge boat at first moved very
slowly, but presently the pace was quickened, and it

was almost at racing pace that the crew broughlTher
down to the starting point. Thus early were the
critics severe on the form shown by Cambridge, yet
the fitness of the crew was undeniable in point of
physique, although the style of .rowing was not equal
to that with which in former years Cambridge had
achieved snhcess.
The excitement grew very intense as the boats took
up their stations, the crews pulling off their jerseys,
and waiting in eager yet subdued ieadiness for the word
to go. Mr. Searle, as usual, effected the start from a
skiff rowed into position midway between the boats.
Only once had he to ask the question, "Are you
ready ?" and receiving no reply .followed with the
momentous "Go !" The banks echoed with a
great shout "They're off ! " while the privileged
steamers got• swiftly under weigh, and followed
the competitors. Cambridge had backed her luck
of winning the toss by making the quicker start of
it. Within the first hundred yards the Light Blue
boat was quite half a length ahead, and within
another hundred yards had drawn almost clear.
"Well done, Cambridge!" resounded from both
banks. But it was only the quickness of the start and
the rapidity of the stroke which gave Cambridge this
seeming superiority at the out-set. Oxford was row-
ing in undeniable form, with a long steady stroke that
was bound to tell. Rounding the point, the boats en-
.
countered a rough chopping water and quite a boo-
te cons wind, and while Oxford held on as if these
aisadvantages had not been, they contributed not
a little to discencert the Cambridge rowing.
Oxford began to retrieve the ground which Cambridge
had gained over it; at first gradually, but soon with
greater swiftness. As the boats sped on, there rose
from the crowded banks the roar of the thundering
cheers. "Cambridge, oh Cambridge !" was the cry.
But it was of no use to shout. The dark blue oars
were flashing inexorably through the water, and the
nose of the Oxford boat was creeping in front.
It was all over and done with before the dense
masses on Hammersmith Bridge, the very chains ot
which were clustered thick with dangling people,
looked down upon the boats as they shot the bridge.
Oxford had already acquired a lead of nearly two
lengths, and was rapidly increasing its advantage.
Still Cambridge, with true British perseverance,
rowed on with dogged stroke, hopeless stern chase as
it was. The Light Blues knew they were beaten, but
it was not for them while as yet the end was not, to
own to it. "Cambridge, oh Cambridge ! " came to
their ears from the banks with some, as it seemed,
between a wail and a sob; but to men who are doing
their best already of what avail is the most urgent ex-
hortation? At Barnes Bridge Oxford was through
the arch and round the bend out of sight, while
as yet Cambridge had not passed the bridge. The
Daik Blue crew then slackened their efforts, and
continued with a slower stroke and rowing quite
within themselves, merely to hold the lead which they
had won. When the pistol was fired as the Oxford
boat passed the winning post, opposite the " Ship " at
Mortlake, there were at least ten lengths between the
boats, and the distance might have been considerably
greater had Oxford cared to increase it. In fine, never
has there been so hollow a victory; and, indeed, the
interest of the race, regarded simply as a race was
over • within the first mile. The time, as marked by
Benson's chronograph, was as follows :—The start
took place at lh. 13m. 235.; the arrival was at
112. 35m. 255., the duration of the race being 22m. 2s.
The time last year was 22m. 355.