The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-03 00:00:00

THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

The public anxiety to see the rowing of the Cambridge
men over the course at Putney was on Saturday gratified.
The crew arrived at noon, and took up their quarters, as
usual, at Mrs. Baker's, the Star and Garter Tavern. Owing
to the absence of Mr. Griffiths, who was unable to leave
his University, with the rest of the crew, they did not go
out until six in the evening. There was a vast concourse
at Putney, the fineness of the weather, coupled with the
anxiety to witness the d,ebtit of the Cantabs there, as well
as to have a look at the Oxonians in their training, and the
desire of others, more or less interested, to see the an-
nounced procession of a great number of the metropolitan
clubs, who had inaugurated their opening of the season on
that day, having drawn together the large assemblage.
The Oxonians went out in the morning, and rowed up
against the tide nearly to Hammersmith bridge, when they
turned and came down at a good pace. It was not a time
trial, but merely practice. In the afternoon they again
went up as far as Chiswick, rowing very steadily and well
at about 36 strokes per minute. _ _ _

The Cantabs went away from Simmond's yard at 6, and
went up the course at once. In our review of their per-
formance let it be borne in mind that this was their first
day over the course after having travelled from Cambridge.
They started very slowly, and their pace up to the point
was 30 strokes per minute. It had been reported generally
that they would be all abroad if the day should be rough
when the race was rowed, and the public were conse-
quently surprised to find that their action was lofty enough
for any reasonable weather. The stroke feathers full high,
and there is much uniformity of action in the crew, though
there is certainly great room for improvement. There is a
jerking motion which makes the boat hang at the end of the
stroke, so that she does not pursue her way steadily, but
it is a very fine crew, and its trial on Saturday leads to the
conclusion that it is a vast improvement upon that of last
year. They rowed from Barnes-bridge, finishing the upper
course with 36 strokes per minute. They then turned and
came down against the tide,practising starts and short spurts
of rowing. They went up to 38 strokes per minute in these
spurts, but they invariably started slowly, although not
badly. They encountered some lumpy water in their way
over from the Crab-tree to Hammersmith-bridge, and went
through it very well. They did not exhibit the power which
is now so apparent in the Oxford boat, but we must repeat
that they were rowing under the disadvantage of fatigue.
The general impression created by the work of the crew
was favourable. They are very fine men, who look as
though there was enough in them to stand the wear and
tear of the next week's hard training, which will be watched
with much interest. Betting is 5t04 on Oxford.

Subjoined are the crews, with their weights :
OXFORD st lb
1. Mr. R. T. Raikes, Merton 11 1
2. Mr. P. Senhouse, Christ Church 11 2
• 3. Mr. E. F. Henley, Oriel 12 13
4. Mr. G. G. Coventry, Pembroke... 11 12
5. Mr. A. Morrison, 8a11i01... 12 6
6. Mr. T. Wood, Pembroke 12 2
7. Mr. H. Schneider, Trinity
11 11
8. Mr. M. Brown, Trinity ... ••• 11 4
C. E. W. Tottenham, Ch. Ch (cox.) • 713
st lb
CAMBRIDGE.
1. Mr. H. Watney, St. John's... 11 2
2. Mr. M. H. Beebee, St. John's 0
3. Mr. E. V. Piggott, Corpus ..• .. 12 0
4. Mr. R. A. Kinglake, Trinity ... 12 9
5. Mr. D. F. Steavenson, Trinity h all ... 12 6
6. Mr. G. H. Borthwick, Trinity ... ••• 2
1 2
7. Mr. W. R. Griffiths, Trinity 11 11
8. Mr. C. B. Lawns, Trinity 11 10
Mr. F. IL Archer, Corpus Christi (cox.) 7 3
There were 15 of the metropolitan clubs who appeared at
the opening of the season, and they were led by the 12-
oared boat of the London Rowing Club, manned by the
captains of the 12 principal clubs, and followed by a ten
and several eight and four-oared boats, there being above
20 of the latter. There were the usual number of flags and
a vast number of spectator; but from the instructions
either being misunderstood or disobeyed there was much
disorder and entanglement, though fortunately no accident
occurred.

[ADVERTISEMENTS.]
Nov ready, price 2s. 6d., by post 2s. Bd., "BAILY's Tun.?
GUIDE." Spring edition, 1865. London :A. H. Baily,
Cornhill.

G. R. OLEXIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught-terrace,
Hyde-park, supplies the Latest Edition of " TILE Sus"
ound the Royal Oak and Notting-hill by eight o'clock.
Baily's Spring Turf Guide, this day, 2s. 6d. post free.—
Commissions executed.