The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-31
THE GREAT BOAT RACE.
OXFORD WINS BY THREE LENGTHS.
A Graphic Description Of the Struggle
and the Defeat.
THE GREAT BOAT RACE.

crew. The race was SO Srauo auo stIllus al
affair that the particulars will be read every
where with interest.
LONDON TURNs OUT.
| telegram dated London, Friday afternoon
says:
Over one million persons witnessed the erea1
International race between Harvard and Oxford
TODAY. The excitement was unprecedented
London city was almost entirely deserted, and
business was totally neglected. Everybody
talked about the race, and everybody wore
either the Oxford or Harvard colors. From
early in the morning until late in the afternoon
vehicles Of all descriptions, heavily laden with
sweltering people, crowded all the roads lead
ing to the course. The day was hot, and the
crowd was hot. The roads in the vicinity OF
Putney, Hammerspith, Cbiswick, Barnes, Mort
lake, &C.. we're thronged with pedestrians. The
railway companies found themselves almost
unable to provide cars sufficient to carry the
vast numbers in waiting at the depot. Dukes,
costermongers, princes. cordwainers, lords,
fshmongers, earls, and roughs poured to the
river bank in one conglomerated mass. Many
ladies' were present. Rooms commanding
views OF the course we're rented at fabulous
prices. Some brought as high as f1OO.
SCENES ON THE RIVER.
The steamer London Pride was anchored
abreast OF the Thames Conservatory yacht.
The Prince OF Wales, it is affirmed, stood upon
her deck surrounded by several members OF
the royal family. all carried large lorgnettes.
The umpire's boat was but few feet distant
Thomas Hughes, the umpire, was surrounded
by a group Of distinguished gentlemen, among
them MIR. Gladstone, Bulwer Lytton, the Count
de Paris, John Stuart Mil, Charles Reade, and
Others The ARRANGEMENTS being under the
directions Of the Thames Conservators, that
body OF gentlemen exerted themselves to the
utmost to insure 90 fair field and no favor" for
the two crews. The captains OF steamboats,
on the river were served with printed instruc
tions forbidding them to come beyond mark
mapped out by buoys across the river, and the
river police we're active in keeping back and
arresting the progress Of craft that now and
again shot cut beyi nd the prescribed limits.
In fact, the arrangements were as perfect as
mortal man could make them.
CONDITION OF THE CREWS.
The Haryards remained in their quarters
during the greater part OF the day. A great
many American and English gentlemen called
upon them, but few were admitted. 1t was
freely asserted that the American crew were
overtrained. The condition Of Simmons ard
Loring was the subject OF frequent comment:
The former was suffering from diarrhoa, and
the latter was troubled with an angry boil. The
American crew, however. we're quite confident
Blaikle and Josh Ward wore smiling faces,
aud occasionally took the long odds offered on
the English crew. Kelley was cool and calcu-
Iating, and said but little. Some OF the men,
bers OF the American Legation appeared des-
pondent, but with this exception, all seemed
NJ
chance for an American victory.
During the day the Oxfords kept quiet. None
bat favored friends were welcomed 10 ther
Headquarters. few of the English nobility
and half dozen boatingmen and colleglans re-
mained with them until late in the afternoon:
All of their friends were enthusiastic, and
freely offered two to one on their success. i he
crew were in tip-top condition. They based
their hopes Of victory upon their superior bot.
tom. 1t was generally conceded that Ha ward
would take the lead and keep it as far as the
Hammersmith Bridge. "But they can't stay"
said YarborUuRh, 'you may be sure OF IT,"
rbis seemed to be the general opinion Of the
vast masses Of Englishmen that lined the
banks Of the river.
TIE BETTING AND THE SPECTATORS.
The Thames was fringed with yelling spec
tators. Every available boat and housetop was
covered with men and women. The betting
was heavy. The long odds offered on Oxford
was freely taken by the Americans and some
Of the English. Kelly says that over million
pounds sterling were wagered IN London alone.
Many Of the ladies' wore the magenta colors
OF Harvard, and ventured sovereigns on the
skill and endurance Of the Americans.
THE CREWS on THE RIVER.
The Oxford crew glided out of the London
boathouse at quarter of tour. Their appear
ance was the signal for an immense cheer.
which was carried up and down both banks OF
the r1ver for miles. As they padded toward
the Star and Garter their long sweeping body
stroke elicited another cheer, and drew out
thousand exclsmations OF admiration. The
sun was SHINING brightly, and tho water was
uearlv as smooth as mirror. Scarcely
breath OF air was stirring. The oars OF the
sturdy Englishmen rose and fell like the steady
sweep Of an eagles wing. Their bodies were
ing OF at the Star and Garter. they swept
down 10 the startlng-post at Putney Bridge,
where another cheer mounted the air and was
waited up the river. Their stroke was moder-
ate and their faces bore the calm, imperturbed
look peculiar t, English sporting men.
Five minu es elapsed. The Harvards spurted
the vaet multitude, but it lacked the volume OF
its predecessor. Naked to the vast and
bronzed, the shoulder-blades OF the Harval DIS
rolled in their sockets, and their oars took the
water with marvellous precisi n. D1wn toward
the stake. boat they sped with the grace OF q
water fowl. The multitude waved their hand
kerchiefs, and sent tpasmodic cheers IN the
wake Of the gallant crew. The Oxfords spoke
not word as the Ha:vards ranged themselves
at their side. The vast crowd became breath
less with excitement.
''oFF, aENTLEMRN"
The tiny sterns of the spear-like boats were
ranged on q level. The crews held their oars
in readiness. Not even a whisper was heard.
A slight nervousness. however, was observed
IN the movements of Simmons. Loripg set
like q statue, eager-eyed and immovable.
Little Burnham furtlvely glanced at the Oxford
coxswain, and silently awaited the word. The
English crew sat with their bodies bent to the
front and arms extended, stoid, and apparent
ly Indifferent. The Harvard crew had won the
toss for the position. and chose the Middlesex
side, the outside OF the semi circle. 1t was
five O'Clock, fourteen minutes, and Six and a
half seconds. The tide was sluggish, and a
light southwest breeze prevailed, with the wa
ter as smooth as mirror. There was mo-
ment OF dead eilence.
"Of. gentlemen /" said the starter, in q clear
bass voice.
And they were off--off like the wind. The
Judges clicked the springs Of their watches.
At the same moment an anxious spectator
knocked Tom Hughes bat into the water with
mis- elbow. The Harvards we're first to catch
the water and took the lead, gaining rapidly
upon their opponents, making forty-hve
strokes per minute against the Oxfords forty.
THE RACE.
There was f1utter among the vast multi
tude lining the banks as the Harvards sped to