The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-20
CAMBRIDGE AND OXFORD.

THE GREAT AQUATIC CONTEST ON THE THAMES
To-DAY-FoBMATIoN AND WORK OF THE
CREws-sKETcHEs OF PREVIOUS RACES.
The great aquatic event OF the year in England,
that OF the race between the universities OF Cam
bridge and Oxford, comes on thus morning on the
Thames, from Putney to MortlaSe. This is the
thirty-second renewal OF the contest and though
Cambridge has been victorious for the past fye
years the score still stands IN favor OF oxford,
who has crossed the winning line sixteen
times against fifteen for ner opponent.
The first or these contests took place at Henley IN
1929, OXFORD winning very easily. Seven years
then intervened without struggle. when repre-
sentative crews again met on the course rom
Westminster 10 Putney, Cambridge carrying or
the honors. Another gap OF three years followed,
when IN 1889 Cambridge repeated her victory, and
still again In 1910 and 1871 sne added renewed
lustre TO her rowing renown by beating her for
mldabe opponents. The next year Qs42l oxford
went to the front, finishing the race thirteen Sec
onds quicker than Cambridge. when there was
cessation OF rivalry until Is45. The spring or that
year they met for the first time over the present
course, Putney to Mortlake, Cambridge winning
by thirty seconds. The latter repeated her
success in the next two races, rowed
respectively In 1915 and 1S4a Oxford
then turned the tables and came in
first In the three succeeding contests occur
ring In 1885, 1852 and 1854. Another change took
place in 1885, the year OF the thirteenth race ana
tnen the universities won alternately until 1861,
when Oxford commenced series OF brilliant VIC
tories, extending to 1870. In this year Cambridge
went TO the front, Winning the race BY one and
quarter lengths. This victory seemed to work
great Generalization among the Oxonians. for
she has been successful ever since, though there
are hopes with her friends that the dark blues
will change the tide OF AFFAIRS to-day and victory
perch upon ner banners.
THE CAMBRIDGE CREW.
Not Tor many years have there been so many
changes In the respective crews due to prellml-
obtain the rIiht men Ior the several positions IN
the boats, and even at the latest dates received
by mail thus essential matter had not been def.
the eight were composed OF the lollo wing :-Bris.
coe, Catnerine's; Michel, First Trinity PEABODY,
First Trlnlty; Stewart, Lady Margareps; Pnlllips,
Jesus; AyiIner, First TRINITY; Decker, FIRST Trim
NY; Rhodes tstrokel. Jesus: After day or TWO
Briscoe lett The Doar. ana !. W. Lewis, OF Caius,
and Donaldson, OF Third Trlnity, were severally
tried IN ms place az DOW, alter whicn Donaldson
at the bow tnwart. Then Fowle, OF First Trinity
was put in Stewards place. at No. 4, but the
aiier couple OF DAYS Stewart was reinstated III
MS old seat. Dlcker was transferred TO No. s..
Phillips went to No. 8, and Peaoody-one OF the
winning crew OF 1873, though he did not row last
year-was tried at DOW. day or two later Stew
art elected from the boat and Michel was
= u
Third Trinity, formerly one OF the EtOn eight,
taking No. 2. Thus constituted the crew rowed
together Tor the best part OF week.
and liant hopes were entertained that the task OF
selection hau been denim ely accomplished and
practice would commence IN earnest on the
Saturday, however, the work OF reconstruction
was commenced anew. HILBERT OF Lady Mar
garets, last years DOW, MADE his appearance ON
The scene and took his old seat, cjce Donaldson,
who retired, 1t was said, under medica! advice.
Sham, OF First Trinity, was substituted Tor
Charesworth. and Decker and Philips changed
seats. The new arrangement owever, did not last
long. On the saturday OF the same week w. b.
Close, tue winner OIL the Colquhoun Souls, and
younger brother OF the two Cambridge Oarsmen
Of that name, was introduced into tine boat as .
substitute tor onann, but ne had scarcely r0wed
more than day or two Wncn Benson last
years No. Z, suddenly became avallaDie, and was
forthwith established at his old place, and Pea
body, VINO had previously been rowing on the
bow slue went to No. In the room OF Close, VINO
retired IRON the boat. The acquisition OF Benson
was undoubtedly o great gain to the crew, as the
weak place mad hitherto been No. I. and the Cam
bridge University Boat CuD authorities naturally
congratulated themselves en- their good fortune 10
securing the services OF tried Oarsman AT that
important thwalt. THUS constituted the crew
continued their practice with one days cessa-
ti0n Tor upward OF another week; but on the 27th
ult. q iurtuer alteration was decided upon, the
services or Mr.. w. b. Close being again called into
requisltiOn In place OF MIR. Peabody. The crew,
therefore, the latest 0dVlceS ~ follows -