The New York herald., 1876-12-17
ROWING IN ENGLAND.
THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RAcE-cAMBRIDoE rRIAr
EIGHTs.

EIGHTS.
From tho London Daily News Dec FL
This raco, kind OF Middle Park Plate tho great
contest at Easter, took place tho customary
few miles beyond Ely, yesterday afternoon.
The originally fixed for next Saturday, but,
owing TO examinations other evils Intervening IL
was found necessary 10 row It week earlier than had
been previously arranged The object OF the trial
cights is, most rowing know TO ascertain the
capabilities OF the most promising oarsmen tn tho
University with view to the selection OF candidates
to Ill tho places in tho University that may
happen TO be vacant For this reason the event 10
looked upon with more than ordinary interest," mas
much the style of rowing exhibited upon the occa
sion, seldom fails to ioreshadow. at least IN somc
degree, the result OF the important that
looms In tho future Tho trial ciehs originated as
oxford 1885, but It not until four years later,
namely. in 1861 that Cambridge followed the example
OF their opponents For years the Cambridge
was rowed on tho Cam, when, for obvious reasons,
mainly however, in consequence Of tho narrow
OF that river, the venue was very properly
moved to a more congenia spot, the River Ousc,
about two tho north side Of tho city of Ely.
That part OF tho river here moro generally known a.
the .Adeaide Bridge Course,' comprises stretch OF
water three miles In length, perfectly straight OF am
Pile breadth eighs to abreast, and In every
sense admirably suited to the purpose for which II 10
used. The selection oil the TWO crows tS mauo from
the various college clubs by the President OF the UNI
vers,ty Boat Club the time being. whose duty-by
no means an cnviabe one-s to select the best six
men he can lnd and divide them into two crews as
evenly matched as possible. Then, by careful course
"coaching and training he brings the two boats to
as high state OF perfection as tho limited tmo at his
disposal allows. OF the sixteen gentlemen who
tested yesterdays race only one-Mr Hockin-comcs
under the designation OF IN 'old blue" and, strange
to say only of tho others had rowed in the trial
eignts BEFORE although most OF them have obtained
aquatic laurcls in other fields
PuncunIly at two o'clock the two crews accom-
panied by Messrs W. Lewis and G. Gurdon tho Presi-
dent and Secretary OF the U. B. g., arrived tho
well known Windmill which the starting post is
fixed the distance from start 10 finish being exactly
three miles, less 200 yards
No time was lost with nnal preparations and super.
fuous wraps having been discarded, the Two boats
we're soon got into position Mr. Hock,ns boat taking
the right hand Litileport side oi the and
Hoskyns boat the towpatn side In a few seconds tho
word go" was given by Mr.. Lewis and capital start
was effected. For the first hundred yards the nsido
boa, THAT sroked by Hoskyns) just managed TO keep
feet in front OF tho other, but they
level terms again. state Of things which prevailed
tor a quarter OF mile, WHOM tho inside crew once
went TO the front and for tho next mile main
tanned lead OF about quarter OF length, the
two crews all the while rowing about thrty-thrcc
thirty-iour strokes 10 the minute. At place known
the "Iurppke." about hall way, the two boats were
again level and tor the nalf mile neck and neck
race ensued On commencing the last mile signs OF
inside boat and HockIn gradually got the bow his
boat in front Rowing long, sweeping stroke be in
creased this advantage by degrees. and was soon q
length the good. In the last 500 yards HosKyns
cynccd considerable spluck, and by dint OF
gcc spurt he succeeded IN slightly lcssening the DIS
between the two crews His Efforts to win were,
however, IN vain, Hockins crew passing the winning
post a length and quarter III front OF the other, hav
ing rowcd the entire in - minutes 80 20
onds which rs, perhaps, lrle longer than this race
usually occupies Il should not be iorgotten however,
that strong head wind prevailed, while the current
was also more rapid than usual.
During the last or tour years this same
has every occasion very hollow affair, The
successful boat winning each time by several lengths.
but the OF yesterday was most closely contested
almost all the way and u was not until the end OF tho
reached that the resu became certainty.
In point OF form and material the University
scarcely be congratulated. Both crews possessed in
mark cd degree want OF Knowing how 10 get their
hands away at the finish OF the stroke There was
cept icw instances fair amount OF "catch, but
strength not distnguishable feature In either
crew. Mr.. Hockin, the winning stroke, rowod with
considerable judgment throughout, and similar re-
mark also apply TO Mr.. Hoskyns. Tho former gen.
teman however, nai behind nm the stronger crew ai
far goes and It probably Tor that reason
alone that he managed TO obtain the victory With re-
gard to individuals, little can be said Scarcely
oi the hands Is good enough" for Unit
vcrsty crew. vi the more promising men, perhaps,
Allen Williams and Farautarson in the winning boat,
ard Dale in the losing boat deserve speca. mention
Allen rowed in lair form throughout the race, and
what Is perhaps OF more importance. hc seemed TO
hard at the finish he did in tho earlier part o ths
According 10 all accounts the University are likely
be well OF term for II s;id and on pretty good
authority, that only two vacancies In the University
crew are likely TO require nillng up Ine Two nosen
from April's Will DO Rhodes mo y and
Close mo. 81 All the remainder, including Shaito
tstroscl again almost sure TO appear at Putney.
Allen perhaps stand the best chance OF filing tho
vacancies in tho Varsity crew. which, on paper looks
likely TO be unusually strong.
Tho two OF yesterday wore composed as fol-