The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-29
4 GOOD START AND GALLANT STRUGGLE.
Cambridge The Winner by -Four Lengths
Time, eS Minutes AID s. Seconds.
SQUEEZING THE ICED MAYOR.
History Of Past Events Between the Uni
versities' Crews.
MLeGsAM 70 the grW yoaE HERALD.


bridge uoversitles' boals' crows came or this
mOtaing over tae usual cOuise on the Thames
From PuJney to MOrtlakc, q distance OF four miles
and TWO Iurlongs, ana, Us has been the case n
the past four years, resulted in a victory for the
Cambridge boat when came in four lengths ahead
OIL Its rival
FINE WEATHER.
The weather was beaunmi, and more propl
hous day for the contest Co uld not have been Sc
lected.
THE PEOPLE OUT IN UNUSUAL FORCE.
The crowd that had assembled TO witness the race
was Unprecedented. On the Surrey side OF the
river from Putney to Mortlake there was
compact mass OF people $50 feet WIDE, ana at the
latter place carriages five deep stood in long
rows.
The Princess OF Wales and the Duchess OF Edln
hrrgh, who were expected to be among the spec.
tators. were absent.
CONDITION OF THE WATER.
The water, though not so smooth as would have
been desired, was fairly calm.
TAKING POSITION.
Upon the TOSS for the choice Of positions Cam
bridge won ana selected the Middlesex, or north.
cru, side.
The Oxford crew rowed into the stream at one
minnie past eleven O'Clock.
Five minutes later the Cambridge boat appeared,
ana 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 fourteen minutes
Past eleven O'Clock the signal TO start was gwen,
and the boats got away instantaneo usly after It's
reception.
Both boats took the water together, but after a
few pulls at the oars Cambridge was one quarter
d a length in advance oxford. and at Bishops
Greek, three iurlonQs IRON the Aqueduct ridge,
the starting point the Cambridge men we're
nearly clear OF their opponents.
Here the steering OF both boats was eccentric
AID the time was bad. Between Craven Point and
Hammersmth Bridge the coxswain OF the OK ord
boat steered wildly.
OF Crab Tree, seven furlongs from Bishops
Creek, oxford decreased the lead OF Cambridge by
Apucky squirt; aud at the soap works, about one
mile and four furongs from the Aqueduct Bridge
was only one length behind the Cantabs
AT Hammersmith Bridge about two furlongs and
hall from the soap works, Cambridge lost hall a
length by bad steering; but or the Doves, two fur
longs further on, again went ahead fast.
The dark blues made another squirt and drew
up nearly level with the CantaDs and of Cheswick
church succeeded in getting one-quarter OF
length IN advance.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
The excitement then became intense, and cheer
from both sides of the river.
FINAL STRUGGLE.
In COrney Reach. about two miles and half
nom the Aqueduct Bridge, Cambridge took the
lead again and passed Barnes Bridge, about
seven iurongs beyond Corney Reach, length
and hall ahead Of oxford.
Here OXFORD rowed wildly and Cambridge kept
the lead to the end, reaching the stake boat at
Aortlake four lengths in advance of their oppo-
nents, amid the dealening cheers Of their friends
ON the shore.
E,rE OF STROKE AND STYLE OF ROWING.
Cambridge had the advantage from the first.
rowing ut the rate Of thirty-seven STROKES per
minute; but both crews pulled steadily.
TIME.
After an exciting contest Cambridge reached
the ship at Mortlake at II hours 81 minutes 80
seconds.
Cambridge won the race In 23m. $751;
PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE MEN,
Both crews were very much exhausted when the
race terminated, but oxford appeared to be the
most distressed.
THE OxFORDs AVOID THE MANSION HOUSE
This evening the victOrs and their opponents
dine together ut the Criterion Restaurant the |
members of the oxford crew having declined the
invitation given by Lord Mayor Lusk of London to |
both crews to dinner in the Egyptian Hall of the
Mansion House.
Formation and Work Of the Crews-A
sketch OF the Previous Rnces-Namcs |
and Weights of The Oxford and CAM
bridge Men.
Inc aquatic DERBY which was pulled yesterday on |
the Thames, rom Putney 30 Mortlake resulted In |
another VICTORY Tor Cambridge, and leaves the
score oxford SIXTEEN Cambridge fifteen. There
IL, perhaps, no sporting event in England that
attracts more general interest," and in fact 1t has
become such a national event that this wear the
Lord Mayor invited both crews to a state dinner at
the Mansion House. The invitation was declined
on behalf OF the oxford crew by Mr.. Darbisb,re
who said In his refusal, ~ should like, before
closing this letter, to set forth the chief reason
for our declining the Invitation. or late |
years many have regretted the increasing
publicity OF the boat and OF everything |
connected with it, state banquet at