The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-09

Inc terrace OF houses stAnus back rom the river,
and beautiful lawns and gardens intervene. These
are crowded with well dressed ladies' and gentle
men, who glance down from the top Of their wall
upon the struggling crowd below. From Barnes,
Bridge to the winning post not foot OF ground Is
unoccupied. Even the roofs OF the houses are black
with people. Having thus completed. our prclimi.
nary tour Of inspection we must hurry back to the
starting point, which, the time draws near, Is
scene OF seething excitement.
GETTING READY.
A cheer from the London and Leander lighthouses
announces that preparations are being made to
launch the boats.
THE STEAMERS.
The knot OF special steamers Is gathered into DO
sition, painting and pufing as though eager for the
nun. In accordance with usual custom only four
steamers are allowed to accompany the University
boats, viz: for the umpire one for each uniyer-
sty and the other for the press. All these steam
ers were, OF course, crowded to excess. On the
umpirc's boat admission is eagerly sought, and hun
dreds OF applications are Of necessity refused 1t
would take Great Eastern to accommodate all.
Each OF the members Of the crews is allowed
two tickets, the umpire has few at his
disposal, and admission Is also granted to
limited number OF personascs OF distinction in the
political, religious, university and rowing worlds,
and 1t Is invariably the case that this steamer is
crowded to an uncomfortable degree and that many
Of its passengers find 1t very difficult to obtain .
glimpse Of the competing crews.
THE PRESS BOAT
On the press boat matters arranged very dif-
ferently. In former years the number allowed on
board was limited to sixty. This year, with view
to make 1t stll more comfortable only ifty tickets
were issued, and every this boat was enabled
to see the entire race from start to finish without
suffering the slightest inconvenience. The follow
ing distinguished varsity" oars were on the press
boat:-J II. u. Goldic, Cambridge; the oxford four
that rowed Harvard, namelys-s u. -Darbcshirc. J.
O. Time, A. G. Marlborough and +. william; w. b.
woodgate. Oxford; J. G. Chambery, Cambridge;
James b. Close, Cambridge; John b. Close, Cam
bridge; c. s. Reed, Cambridge; Il. w. Lesley, OK
ford and r. Lewis Lloyd, oxford.
THE CkEWS
All eyes are now directed toward the quarter
from which the crews must approach, and presently
on all sides is heard the shout,
THERE THEY AREi
Field glasses are brought to bear upon the heroes
Of the moment, who are walking down leisurely by
twos and threes and surrounded by crowd Of eager
well wlshers.
THE TOSS.
And now the question is, "who's won the toss ~
the answer to which is generally, II wonder whoy
But now mighty shout rends the air, as the crews
are seen padding down toward the barges moored to
the Putney Aqueduct We now see that oxford has
the for choice Of position, and has selected
the Niddlesex side as the more favorable.
THE TIDE AND WATER.
The tide was about the middle OF the mood, and
was running IKE mlllrace when the boats started
The water throughout was perfectly smooth. while
light following breeze materally aided the speed OF
the craft.
THE LAUNCH.
Both crews launch their boats at twelve minutes
to two p. NJ, and row down TO the starting place.
Putney. The finish Is the same distance above the
famed inn the Ship, at Mortlake. The boats are got
into their position At three minutes to woP.M.
r. Tnh s'ArH
Oxford rowed In tho ncwsseas ~. h...,s
for her by Casper, the Oxford boat builder, while
Cambridge occupied the new boat built for them by
swatldle L winshp, OF Newcsste-on-Tyne, 1t having
developed better qualities than their Searle boat
THE START.
The boats back up to the barges. The next mo-
ment the crews strip down to their boating Jerseys
and the starter, Mr.. Edward scare, hands the dis
carted clothes up to the umpIre's boat man in
each barge holds on to the stern OF each boat
moment OF suspense follows, during which every
man In that vast throng draws his watch as a man
in danger OF his life draws his revolver, waiting
for Mr. searie, the starter, to give the word. A
thousand nccks are craned to see the first catclr
and double the number OF listen for the signal
The clear voice OF the starter breaks upon the air
Gentlemen, are you readyT Like machines the
crews get forward" Amoment Of absolute silence.
Then
The oars grip the water. The race has begun.
Time 2h. I'm. It's. p. NJ.
THEY'RE orr 70
Both crews caught the water at the same mo-
ment, Cambridge getting on q little quicker than
their antagonists. The form Of both crews was ad-
mirablc. oxford rowing ss strokes TO the minute.
Mr.. EdwardcsMoss the stroke Of the Oxford crew,
showed signs Of nervousness when after the first
quarter Of mile, he saw his antagonist drawing
slightly ahead. oxford Immediately quickened their
stroke from IS to 20, but without any psrceptblc
gain OF speed
OXFORD BADLY srEERED.
From this point to Hammcrsmith oxford was
badly steered and they were thrown further out by