The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-28
HARVARD-oX OR D.
Graphic Account of the Great Inter
University Boat Race-Disadvan-
tages Encountered by the Har-
ward Crew-How the Eng
hshmen Gained the
Lead.
Oxford Challenged to Another Race
Within a Week-Prospect Of its
.Acceptance-The Excitement
in London.

The following special dispatches graphically
describe the great International Race on the
Thames, and fOreshadOw another contest OF the
same nature between the two University crews:-
LONDON, Aug. 27.-The international boat race has
been won by the OXfords by clear three lengths
The race is conceded universally TO have been per-
fectly fair and honorable on both sides. The time
occupied by oxford was twenty-five minutes and
fOrty-one seConds-mOre than they took over the
course few days ago. The Ilarvards the right
to choose the Shore and of course chose the Middle
sex side.
The race started at quarter past at the word 'sgo
pronounced by Mr.. Baikle the stroke of &C. ana the
coach of the Harvard four oxford twice answered
no, while Harvard seemed more anxious to start, as
the tide was beginning to run out.
The boat used by Harvard was the American boat
built by Elliot The distance rOwed is a little less
than four miles and three furlongs The day was
fair but the tide unfavorable. For the first mile of
the race Harvard was ahead 10y more than length,
rowing forty-two strokes per minute to OXford's
Harvards rowing was most brilliant, and many
believe that the race might have been gained had
the coXsWaln made better effort to take OXford's
water, AS Hammersmth Bridge was passed, the
advantage was still with the Harvards; but it was
perceived that the pace at which they started could
not be maintained.
AS Harvard sank from forty-two to forty and
lower oxford rose to forty strokes per minute and
maintained it without alteration to the end A little
before Chiswick was reached about half-way) Ok
ford by splendid manmuvre of the COXswain took
Haryards water, and all of Mr. Burnhams efforts
to escape OXfOrds wash were in vain.
AS Chiswick Church was passed Harvard was vsi-
bly, distressed and Mr.. Bunham began throwing
labor and the sutriness told heavily. 1t was now
perceived that the race was lost by the Harvard,
though one more heroic effort was made to gain OK
When the gun sounded the Harvard crew, after
moments rest, drew up by the side of the oxford
boat, and applauded their vicors by clappng their
hands. The OXOnisns acknowledged this by taking
of their hats. The greatest enthusiasm was mani
tested, and from the Englishmen on the umpire's
boat and the boat for the pressthe only two accom-
yard.
Having paid their respects to their opponents. the
Harvard crew embarked a steamer. The OK
ford crew, which seemed but little fatigued rowed
back to Putney attended by the press steamer Sun
flower, which announced their victory to the
crowded shores by raising the Oxford above the
The ovation they received was prolonged cheer
passing from Mortlake to London. 1t is believed
the Thames. Among the flags many were Amer-
can, and two of the largest Of these were waved by
the victorious crew. On return the feeling between
the adherents of the two sides was very friendly
account of the extraordinary taken by all that
the Harvard should have nothing to complain of.
There are various theories of the cause of Har-
Yards failure. 1t is rumOred that their diet has
been lately vegetarian, but it is not true Lorng is
criticised for not having English coaching; Burnham
for bad steering but many good Judges declare that
the race was almost repetition of the race between
the English universities, and Harvard failed because
its style is that of Cambridge.
Among the Americans who witnessed the race
were Consuls Dudley and Morse, the Hon. S. S. Cox,
Messrs Welker, Morgan, Sturgis ana Wilkes The
American press was largely represented, and num-
Der of English literary men were present.
when oxford was behind. The largest loss heard
Of by an American was four hundred pounds.
An effort was made to foul oxford. 1t will be in
ber of a famous rowing club, and lad was in his
boat No one suppOses IL other than an attempt to
win bet. The relative crews are very kindly to
night; thoy dine together at Mr.. Phillips residence
at Mortlake. Tomorrow the Harvard crew viii
dine with Morgan Baker, and on Monday both crews
win be at the London Rowing Club banquet
Immediately after that the Harvard crew will dis
perse. Mr.. Simmons goes to Heidelberg to pursue
his studies. He has gained much admiration for his
beautiful rowing, as has Loring for his science.
Thomas Hughes visited the crews just before the
race. He has dined with the Harvard crew. Hall,
the oxford coXswan, who looks like boy of twelve
years, receives much praise for his tact WOrmall,
editor OF Belts Lite attributes much to Williams four
years experience of the course with the Cambridge
races.
Kelly, the coach, declares the lack of scientific
rowing and bad steering lost the On the press
boat there were only fifty persons, TO which the
number was limited by the Thames ConservanCy
Among those on 1t representing American journals
were Dicey, Chickson, Krwan, Smalley, and one
Wilkes was on the umpres' boat No question was
raised before the umpires, who were Galston, Cap
tain of the London Rowing Club, for the Harvard
crew. and Chitty, for the oxford crew, Hughes being
the referee
Fay, of the Harvard crew, made desperate efforts
to alter the tide of AFFAIRS and although the CoXswan
threw water over his men and reused them to fresh
eXertons every minute, they gradually fell astern.
Then they put on another spurt, and rapidly drew
up to their competitors; but it died out and oxford
preserved the lead, although their boat was nearly
overturned by some parties whom the Thames
police would have done well TO look after The
OXonans won by three boat lengths, but with great
effort
The American crew thus gave better account of
themselves than was expected, and such magnifl-
cent race it may never be my lot to witness. /
omitted to state that the Harvard won the toss
and took the MiddeseX side but bad steering rem
dered it worse than useless
MoNCURE D. CONWAY.