The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-26
University Boat Race.

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Mortlske, distance OF four miles and
two furlongs. Of the Cambridge eight
six participated in the last years contest,
while of the Oxford crew four were
ancient mariners, but the coxswain was
a novice on the Thames.
Cantabo rowed in a new Swaddle
Winship boat and tie Oxfords in a Lew
Clssper boat. The whole number of
spectators for the University race was
comparatively small, but there was
enough to make what would be an i'm
mense gathering elsewhere. The weather
| was favorable both for the contestants and
spectators, yet rather cloudy stmos.
phere kept the sun and London.
ers away. The start was made
at 1927 A. M.Iand the Oxfords took the
water first, and were eight feet ahead in
halt a dozen strokes. This lead they
held to Dukes Head, where Cambridge
drew up, and were on even terms half
way between the Head and Simmons
Yard. OF this Yard, Cambridge got the
lead of about four feet, which positions
were maintained at the Londen boat
house. At this period in the race, Cam
bridge rowed in better form. At Chaven
College, six turlongs from the starting
point, the boats were about on level.
Oxford now forged ahead, and when
about mile had been rowed, led by
about one.third of length. At Crab
tree, Oxford led by only a few ieet
At the distillery, somewhat over
mile and four furlongs. from
the starting point, Cambridge once more
showed in front some two or three feet.
At the Oil Wells, two miles and slightly
over furlong from the starting boat
Oxford drew up alongside. At the bot
tom of ChiswicK Eyot, Oxford was again
in front, being better together than Cam
bridge, who seemed much troubled by the
rough water. At Chiswick Church, three
miles having been rowed, Oxford had
increased their advantage TO two-thirds
of length, and the race was apparently
no longer in doubt Rounding the bend
into Horseshoe Reach the water became
smoother, and Cambridge gained upon
Oxford, but the latter drew away and
were nearly length ahead of the
bathing place, nine furlongs from
the winning spoint. The Cambridge
made another effort, but only reduced
the Oxford lead to two-thirds OF length.
No further change occurred up to Barnes
bridge, five furloughs further, on through
which Oxford passed nearly a length
ahead, and of White Hart, four furlougs
from the goal, was a length and some
feet in advance. At LINES the Cam
bridge spurted, and reduced the lead of
the Oxford, which all at once got all
abroad, as their bowman was seen to
be in difficulties and unable
to use his oar properly. The Cambridge
how was within third of length of
being on even terms with the Oxfords
and a most exciting struggle followed
from the ship to the winning post STA
toned some distance above the ship. The
Cambridge would not be denied, and
gradually but surely creeping upon the
two crews went past the Judges level
amid a scene Of the widest excitement
ashore and afloat The time was "a min
utes and 10 seconds. Thejudge declared
the race to be dead heat. Mr.. Chilly
was umpire. The Oxfords No. l broke
his row locks, but was still able to row.
At a meeting of the representatives OF
tie two crews the judge stated that he
never wavered from his decision, that
the race was dead heat. The race is pro-
nounced the grandest ever rowed.
Another reporter gives the following
preliminary particulars: The betting at
Putney before the race, was five to four
on Oxford. Although the rain fell for
some hours during the night the morning
broke fine, with strong wind from the
north of west, keeping off the fog and
clearing away the ram. There were not
half MS many steam vessels and lounches
on the river rs usual. BY half past
o'clock nearly all of them had passed up
wards from Putney, but the reach was
crowded with large number OF row.
boats, some of which were with difficulty
taken ou, of the course. The Cambridge
men arrived at the Leander boat house AT
7:3O. and the Oxford men nearly half an
hour later. About quarter before eight,
the sun sbone brightly, but the wind
blew hard from the northwest by north,
and disgonally across the river from the
Iondon boat house to Fulham Church.
The Oxford crew entered their boat at
eight. won the toss for position, and took
the Middlesex station. Cambridge did
not launch their boat till nearly ten min
utes later, and while they were coming
to the post, Oxford took a preliminary
row as far as the Star and Gar
ter. The starting boats were moor.
cd opposite the lower end OF
Putney terrace, and at a quarter past $
o'clock the two crews prepared Tor the
start. The signal was delayed by the
breaking away of the press boat from IL
moorinCs. but at twenty minutes pastth
hour fixed all WAS ready, and the start
WAS made at 1927. The water man OF
the Western Associated Press thus de-
scribes the last two miles OF the race:
Off the Doves, two miles from Putney,
the Oxford, though on the outside, gam
ed slightly, and at OIL Mills, iIttIe
above furlong from the Doves, got
even with the Cambridge, The two crews
at one time being very close together
and in Imminent danger OF collision,
rowboat full of people pulling across
their DOWs. just UcIO" bh''ADNs va WV
wick yot Oxford was again rowing last
er. and at the bottom OF the Island WAS
again IN front, beng better together tnan
Cambridge, who seemed much troubled
by the rough waters. About the middle
of the Eyot oxford had increased their
lead to half length, rs the row.
ing in the Cambridge boat became
short, aid at Cheswlck Church, three
miles having been rowed, they mad IN.
creased their advantage to two-thirds OF
the length, aud here the race seemed re-
moved from the realm o: doubt.
Rounding the bend into Horseshoe
Reach. the water become smoother, and
the Cambridge, rowing better, gained on
the Oxford, but the latter here made an
effort and were nearly lesngth ahead
of the bathing place. a fur
long further on in Duke G.-5S IcTSn, .;Sds
sbires meadows, the Cambridge
made another effort, reducing the
lead of the Oxford TO two.thlrds oi
the length. No change took place TO