The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-14
0XFORD'S VICTORY.
The Crew from the Isis
Wins Easily.
BRIGHT SKIES AND SMOOTH WATER
A Great Crowd Along the
Rivers Bank.
TIME, % MINUTES y SECONDS.
BRIGHT SKIES AND SMOOTH WATER
TIME, % MINUTES y SECONDS.
lBY CABLE TO THE HERALD.

hotly contested as were the first ten url0ngs, after
Hammersmith Bridge the event changed into a
chase, in which the men from the FOX ana
Hounds" left the .Cedars" far behind. In many
respects the race resembled that OF 1s76-with the
vital difference that the relative positions OF the
two crews were changed. Best OF ali, the dlsnp-
pointmcnt OF last year is not repeated-the race
has not been barren OF result. The postponement
OF the event until to-day, three weeks later than
usual, secured good weather and large attend
ance.
MEMORABLE AS FATE.
"Tide waits for no man." not even for the
starter OF an Oxford-Cambridge race. Therefore,
the hour at which the contest must begin is arbi-
trarily fixed by old Father Thames. As the race is
rowed up stream, an effort Is made to secure the
last OF the Hood tide, beng taken to wait
long enough for slack water or ebb tide at the nm
ish According to the theory OF the watermen OF
Putney and Hammcrsmith the tide should be run
ming Hood just strong enough to last the two
to the Ship Tavern, and no more. Fortunately the
hour thus appointed was not as early last spring.
1t gave ample time to enjoy ones breakfast before
hurrying of to Putney.
UP THE RIVER.
Boarding the steamboat which was to convey
the newspaper representatives over the course at
Charing Cross, were soon steaming rapidly
Putney-ward. Now threading our way amid the
numberless small boats on the tide, again avoiding
drifting lighters by the closest shave, we held our
course. Reaching the Aqueduct bridge very ami.
mated scene presented itseii, on the Surrey side.
Around the Leander, the London Rowing Clubs
and Simmonds' lighthouses thousands Of people had
already gathered. continuous stream OF all
kinds Of vehicles was crossing the old
wooden bridge at Putney, but the people who
came In drags and carriages did not stop
here They push ed along the road, across Barnes
common coming out on the rivers bank at the
BULBS Head Tavern, on Barnes Terrace. Thence
they made their way under the raway bridge to
the neighborhood OF the finishing line. Mortlake.
Thousands OF slghtseers were pouring into Ham.
mersmith, Putney ana Mortlake by tram 1t Is
generally conceded, however, that the crowd was
not as large as thar which witnessed the contest
last year, the interest being greatly diminished
by the general belief that the oxford crew would
win easily.
THE DAY OF THOUSAND
The morning had opened hazy and overcast yet
calm and mild. The sun, however, now shown out
warm and pleasant, and everything gave promise
OF a beautiful day. The water was smooth, and al
though q slight wind sprang up Just before the
start It was not sufficient to give the men
In the boats any serious trouble. Both crews were
In perfect health and the sky was blue as the Nag
that ioarcd over the Fox and Hounds tavern,
where lived the men from Isis stream 1t was to
be day OF days Tor "the Dark Ceruleanw
BETTING IN FAVOR on 1.-THE pARg.r
The betting on shore was reported to be strongly
In Oxford's favor. Odds OF to l and TO on the
Dark Blue were freely offered, but there were few
takers Cambridge men seemed to have lost heart
and to nave conceded the before 1t was rowed.
The clever bookmaker was Oh hand who was
anxious to wager the traditional guinea TO a hun
dred that the history OF last years race would be
repeated. 1t Is probable that far less money
changed hands on the result than usual.
THE START.
The hour mad come. The captains OF the two
crews tossed for position, and Captain Hockin
winning chose the Middlesex side OF the river,
leaving the surrey position TO oxford. The men
then got ready to enter their boats At seven
minutes TO ten O'Clock the oxford crew emerged
from the London Rowing Gu BIS boathouse, and
getting into their new Sw addlc and WiLship shell
padded slowly down to the Aqueduct There they
swung round and round few quick strokes up
past the barges to the small SKIN IN which was
their starter The swing OF the men was excel
stream to the starting point. tho banks rang with
cheers
THE cANrABs ARE COMING.
The reception OF the Light Blue crew was no less
hearty. At i've minutes " ten the Cambridge
men stepped out OF the Lcandcr boat house and
embarked In their Swadde and Winship boat--tle
In which they defeated oxford In 1876 easily
they were to be In turn vanquished to-day.
They rowed gently up-river TO the DUKES Head
Inn where a defect was discovered in one Of the
oars This necessitated return TO the boat house
In order to procure new one, causing several
minutes delay The oxford men lay on their
oars--anxious and silent Having replaced the
sprung oar by new one. the Cambridge crew
came up to their position abreast OF their rivals.
Only few seconds we're required to complete their
arrangements For moment the members OF the
two crews smiled welcomes to each other. then
each man resumed his position IN the boat, looked
straight ahead clutched his oar and set his teeth
Tor the word. Those who have stood near an
s1-ton gun as 1t Is about To be discharged may
have experienced this trying ordeal In every
sense the moment OF suspense At ION. lin.
the tension was broken, AS Mr.. Edward scarc
shoutcd-"Gor'
CHASING THE BOATS.
The steamers for the umpire and the represent
t,tivcs of oxford and Cambridge had been
Ing line. but the press boat was considerably
astern, having been ordered to make
last to the Aqueduct bridge The. young
men OF oxford and Cambridge seemed
to think that the Thames belonged
to them. The saloon steamer Victoria, having the
Prince OF Wales and suite on board, was also
astcrn. Behind MS, looking toward London, were
steamers and small boats innumerabe. No
sooner were the crews started than all lines were
cast or and all the steamers started Ia
mad rush alter the two shell boats
For few minutes 1t was pandemonium on earth.
Every steam whistle was blowing ana every mouth
was opened wide. Mr.. j. W. Chitty, OF Builiol Col.
lege. oxford, stroke oar In the crews Of 81,
acted as umpire, as usual; Mr. IL. d. Fairrie, OF
Trinity Hail, Cambridge, No. In the crews OF
1s55-5o, acted as judge.
THE RACE BEGIN.
fair start was made Contrary TO custom
Cambridge was the FIRST to catch the water, and
hon wi "A ruor