New-York tribune., 1874-03-30
THE ENGLISH BOAT-RACE.

SUCCESS OF THE CAMBRIDGE CREW
THE RACE WON IN TwENTY-rHREE MINUTES, IhiRii
FIVE sECoNDs-HOw THE RIVAL CREWS CON
nucrrp THEMsEIyEs-soME ERRATIC PROCEED
N''' LONDON, Saturday. March 2s' 1874
Tho animal race between the oxford and Cam
bridge boat crews came off this morning over the
usual course on the Thames from Putney 10 MOTT
lake. distance four miles aud two furlongs' ana, as
has been the case in the past four years resulted IN
a victory for the Cambridge boat, which came In
Con, lengths ahead of its rival. The weather was
beautiful aud more proptious day Tor the contest
could not have been selected. The crowd that as
sembled 20 witness the race was unprecedented. On
tbe Surrey side of the river from Puney to Mortake
there was one compact mass of people $50 feet wide
and Mt the latter place carriages five deep stood In
long rows.
The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edin-
burgh. who were expected to be among the specta-
tors were absent.
tlpon the toss for choice of positions Cam bridge
wen. and selected the Middlesex or northern side.
The Oxford crew rowed iuto the stream at 110l
O'Clock Five minutes later the Cambridge boat ap
peared and was received with immense cheering by
its friends. The betting at this time was five to
two in favor Of Cambridge. All things being
in readiness, at 1l:14 o'clock the signal
20 start was gwen. Immediately upon
receiving the word to start both boats
took the water together but after few pulls at the
oars, Cambridge was one-quarter of length In adj
vance of Oxford, aud at Bishops Creek. three fur
longs ON the AQueduct Bridge tthe starting ponV
were nearly clear of their opponents. Here the
steering OF both boats eccentric, and the time
was bad Between Craven Point and Hammer
smith Bridge the coxswain of the Oxford boat
stcered wildly OFF the Crab Tree, seven fuIlongs
from Bishops Creek Oxford decreased the lead of
Cambridge by a plucky spurt, and at the Soap
Works about one mile and four furlOngs from the
Aauoduct Bridge was only one length behind the
Cautabs. At Hammersmith Bridge, about two fur
longs aud half from the Soap Works, Cambridge
lost half length by bad steering but Oft the Doves,
two furlongs further on again went ahead fast
The Dark Blues made another spurt and drew up
nearly level with the Cantabs, and off Chiswiek
Church succeeded in getting one.quarter of length
In advance. The excitement then became intense,
aud cheer upon cheer from Oxfords supporters gang
out nom both sides of the river.
In Convey Reach, about two miles and q half from
the Aoueduct Bridge, Cambridge took the lead
again, and passed Barnes Bridge, about seven fur
longs beyond COney Reach, length and half
ahead of Oxford
Here Oxford rowed wildly, and Cambridge kept
the lead to the end reaching the sakeboat at Mort
LAKE four lengths in advance of their opponents,
amid the deafening cheers of their friends on the
shore.
Cambridge rOwed at the rate of 81 strokes per
minute arriving at the stakeboat at 81 minutes and
Bj seconds past IL o'clock, winning the race in %
minutes and S5 seconds. The water, though not so
smooth as might have been desired, was fairly calm.
Both crews were very much exhausted when the
race terminated but Oxford appeared to be the most
distressed. This evening the victors and their
opponents dine together at the Criterion Restaurant
The members of the Oxford crew having declined
the invitation of Lord Mayor Lusk to both crews to
dinner in the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House.