The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-04 00:00:00

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SUN OFT ICE, Six o'Clocl

THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.
(This Day.)

Notwithstanding the early hour fixed for the
race, and the unpropitious state of the weather, an
immense number of spectators assembled at Putney
this morning to witness the great struggle for
aquatic fame between the two universities, an event
which is always regarded with great interest by a:1
classes of rowing men. •

Twelve steam-boats were chartered to accompany
the race, (the M6ssrs. Serle, to accommodate their
numerous patrons, having two), all were very well
filb3d, and gave •their passengers as good a view of
the race as could be expected consUering their num-
ber. The boat conveying the umpire WAS moored
to Putney-bridge, immediately behind the compe-
titors, and the others took various positions above
the bridge, not getting under weigh until the match
passed them, when: they formed a line abreast of
each other extendin'g nearly across the river.
The following are the names and weights of the respec
tive crews.:— • • '

olronD. St lb
1 R. W. Risley, Exon
2P. Gurdon, University ll 0
3 T. Arkell-, Pembroke., • lO 1221
4 R. Martin, Corpus 44-; l2 li
,
b W.. 11. Wood, -University...,.. • ll 13
6 E. Warre, Baliol
7A. P. lemsdale...l3aliol , , .12 0
8 J. T. Thorley, Wadham
F. W. Biers, Trinity (coxswain) 9 2
1 ~. ' CAMBAIDGV, st. lb.
1 A. P. Holme, Trinity

.
2A. Benne Emmanuel' . , 11 7
3 W. H. liolley,Trini:tY Hall ' ll 9
4A. L Smith, Trinity ' ' ll 7
5 J. J. Sargeantson Trinity
6R. L. Lloyd, Magdalene ' l2 2
7 P. Pearson, St, John's . • ll 9
8 H. Snow, St. John's • • U 8
R. Wharton, Magdalene (coxswain)..
ThiriuE—J. W. Chitty, Esq., Exeter College.

Besides the 'number conveyed by the steam-boats,
there were, as usual, a great many on horseback on
the towing-path, ailjd vehicles of all description on
the road to Barnes and Mortlake, Hammersmith-
-bridge, and every point where a glimpse of .t river
could be obtained. . .

On arriving at Pkitney about eight or ten days
ago, the- Oxford party took up their quarters at the
White Lion; and (Cambridge,their old quarters at
Mrs. Heaths, the Star and Garter ; since then,
each craw has:beeu in daily p*tice over the course,
their various trials being anxiously watched by
their respective friends, and parties desirous to
speculate on the result::

The Oxford party for the last few days has been
the favourite-L—hetting-np to•starting being 5 and 6
to 4 on; Oxford. , . . . .

At about 10 miunte3 to 11 they proceeded to
their station l, Oxford 'having the Middlesex side.
Soon after a very even 'Start was effected, both boats
rowing 'in beautftil style, and keeping well together
for aboht a quart& of mile; when Oxford began
to draw ahead, and wore clear of their opponents
off the Vice-Chan€el!or's. At the Crab Tree they
were about two lengths- ahead ; at Hammersmith
three lengths ; and #om thence to *the finish they
gradually increased their lead, coming in winners at
Mortlake abiut 10 lengths ahead. The Cambridge
crew rowed a stern wager most manfully, never for
a moment relaxink their exertions to the last.
The timed the race' was; as nearly as possible,
to take it, from the start to:Hamtnersmith-bridge,
9 minutes ;-Barzies-bridge, •19 minutes, and the
whole distalibe about 22 minutes.

The winners rciwed •in a boat built by M. Taylor;
of Shields, and the Cambridge crew in one by T.
Salter, of Wandsworth.

'ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

The great University, contest on the Thames
came off to-dayy in the midst of a real ortho-
dox April showtr. .Prom, .the first the weather
was ihauspiciouS, but people -who had deter-
mined on going to the' race went in spite
of wind and
ocweatker, and there was pretty
nearly, as gOOd a'inuster as:there:would have been
on the finest day in the Middle Of May.
It was originally intended that the race should be
run from Mortlake to rutn67, and Friday, April 3d,
Was the day named. Both courses were altered ;
and the race instead 9:! coming off yesterday, took
place to-day, and the, men .pulled up from Eu.tney.
to Mortlake instead of down from Mortlake to
Putney.

Eleven o'clock.was th'e time named for the com-
mencement of business, and for an hour or two
previous to that time sporting.men were eagerly
engaged iu making bets in anticipation of
the result of the .race. During this time
the Cambridge men were the favourites, and
from five.. to six
~to four were hazarded in
their- favour. When they came, however,
to the starting point, and were placed iu
juxtaposition with their opponents, their hold upon
.popular favouritism rapidly declined. It was at
once seen that the men were too heavy, and that their
style-wax, .as compared with former years, somewhat
unskilful... But for
.all that it was a splendid crew.
Another circumstance which altered the betting
to the disadvantage of Cambridge, was that the
Oxford Men drew, by lot; the claim to the Middle-
sex side of. the river.. . .

Everything 'being. in • • readiness, both crews
started on their way At four minutes and a quarter
paste 11,—the 'colours being, -Oxford dark blue,
Cambridge light blue. It was a fair start,
but it was a bad one. By a tremen-
dous impulse, of .which no one who did not
witness it can foirii a conception, Oxford shot
a-head, and the CaMbridge mon seemed for
a moment paralysed. lnspirited by their
first success the Oxford men worked with
extraordinary vigour, • while the Cam-
bridge men never recovered from their preli-
minary difficulty. There were no variations of luck
or skill to.be descrilied—hothing to tell as on former
occasions of Oxfordbeirigfirst now, Cambridge then,
of vigorous contests.:at the "Crabtree" and Ham-
mersmith, of one crew Manfully pulling up at one
corner of the river to the:disadvantage and apparent
defeat of the other;-:.--it was Oxford at starting,—
it was Oxford all along, and it was Oxford at Mort-
lake—where all'was•over, • and where Oxford was
seven lengths ahead.
The race occupied less than 22 minutes.