The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-25
Magnificent Contest Between The Light
and Dark Blue on the Thames.
VICTORY LOST BY AN ACCIDENT.
Oxford Breaks Her Bow Oar anc
Narrowly Escapes Defeat.
SCENES ON THE RIVER AND SHORE.
my CABLE TO THE HERALD.

Whtle all lazy ana IuSurlOus ionuoncrs "ero
taking breakfast This morning a boat race, wholly
unparalleled in the history OF aquatics, was rowed.
The crews OF Oxford and Cambridge met for the
thirtyfour time and neither gained . victory.
the result was dead heat. As race. however. IL
must long endure in the memory Of every witness
as one OF the magnificent exhibitions OF physi
cal endurance which rowing has ever developed;
Titanic struggle which began near the old Aqueduct
Bridge at Putney and never for one single instant
tagged until the long watery road to the Ship
Tavern, Mortlake, had been travelled. For four
miles and two furongs never for moment
were the TWO boats free from each other. No open
water, no silver streak, no walk over for than
half the race as in last year, but long, agonizing
interval OF desperation, alike derangng to the ner-
vous systems of spectators and oarsmen. This is
the first instance since 1920 in which the race has
been without result.
roo EARLY FOR PLEASURE.
The race this year was fixed az an unusually
early hour, in consequence OF the tidal arrange
ments Of old Father Thames, to the great distress
OF some hundreds OF shop and inn Keepers who
dwell upon the banks of the course, and to the no
small inconvenience of the many thousands OF
pleasure seekers who every year hold high carnival
on this rcd-lettered day Of the metropolitan caen-
dar Eight O'Clock was too early an hour, as all
London realized to-day Neither the people nor
the fog had risen.
GOING TO THE RACE.
At Six O'Clock this morning London looked
wretched enough. heavy rain which had been
falling during most OF the night had just dropped or
into driZzlng mist, which chung to the houses,
found its way around all angles, crept along the
window pancs, hung transnxcd upon the sharp
corners Of the stone sis until ready to drop to
convenient shutters below, sought out small open
tngs at the tops OF bedroom windows, gained admit
lance, expanded like the gent in Arabian tale until
1t possessed the room, attacked the sumberer,
first choked MIN, then caused him to turn over only
to find that the place in MS pillow was moist,
awoke him in order that he might say, as every
Londoner does, IA damned bad day ..
woRK-EARNEsr WORK.
With such prospect overhead we prepared for
our task with silent mutterngs at the obstinacy OF
the tide and no less obstinate committee in ,hps
spelling in advance an anticipated pleasure. At
seven o'cock-seven O'Clock We gods and awake
till three-the streets we're thronged the skies
had taken on more friendly hue, a little less
leaden, and our bad humor had some what worn of.
Although the rain had ceased 1t was wet under
foot The sun came ont, cautiously and hesitat-
ingy but the river banks were found cold and DESC
late when our cab turned from Norfolk street into the
Embankment en- route for the Charng Cross pier,
where the press boat was to call, thence to bear all
the intellect and Bohemianism Of Fleet street to
Putney ard over the course in the wake of the swift
moving oarslnen. We stood, ustercd and Chilled
on the deck, and surveyed the dimly defined objects
on the banks. The chilly river presented wocfnlly
deserted appearance compared with the scenes Of
former years What contrast to the bright spring
noon.day in which the OF last year was started
But, then, we had William Black on board that day.
and he was on hand this morning, likewise. There
is no poetry in the Thames at early morning.
MAKING READY.
Arrived at Patney we found preparations all
made for an early start. The two heavy bargcs
from which the start was to be made were moored
opposite the end of Putney Terrace. The sky had
cleared by this time, and a strong breeze was
blowing almost down stream. The crowd OF spec
tators on the Thames banks in the neIghborhood OF
the river, but the stream full Of small row.
boats bound up stream on the Hood tide. Corney
Reach, Off Chiswick Eyot, was crowded with
these small craft that great energy was requisite
clear route for The race. Before the press
boat reached Putncy the Cambridge men had
walked over from the Cedars to the Lcander Boat.
house, and now saw the oxford men coming
and Hounds tavern. The sun shone brightly at
eight O'Clock, but the wind still blew hard across
the river. diagonally from the London Rowing
Clubs boathousc 10 the Fuham end OF the bridge.
Notwithstanding the large number of "old bluesr in
the Cambridge boat the odds were still in favor Of
oxford at j 10 !.
THE EvENTFCL HOUR.
The moment had come. The tide was strong
Hood The water was slightly rough. The captains
OF the Light ana the Dark tossed for position, and,
oxford winning, as she did last March, chose the
Mldlcscx side, additionally the best for the advan.
tage which 1t gives on the first bend OF the river.
Cambridge seemed well contcntcd to take the
Surrey side--for had not six OF her on 1t ?
Meanwhile, from the end OF each Of the two great
coal barges a small boat had been moorcd. In the
stcrns Of these two whcrrics sat watermen, to
whom hal been assigned the task OF "holdingr the
ruddcrs OF the cight.oarcd shes--holdipg them
eight O'Clock the oxford crew embarked in their