St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-10
and yelled, but in fash the boats were
Almost FIyIng Up Stream.

past them,
Almost Flying Up Stream.
AtClaspere boat house, about three
furlongs from the start, Cambridge was
a quarter of length in the lead, and
this advantage was still retained as they
passed Craven Steps, about three fur
longs further on. Past the Grays wharf.
RoSebank, the crab trees, and the malt
houses the relative positions Of the
boats were unchanged, but as they
neared Hammersmith bridge, one mile
and six furlongs from the start, the
faster and new stronger stroke of the
dark blues began 10 tell, and they drew
up toa level with their opponents.
A few seconds later Oxford assumed
the lead and put gap Of three-fourths
of length between herself and Cam
bridge. Both crews were well III the
center of the river. Now enSued a
splendid bit of racing, but the OXfords
became slightly ragged. Cambridge
was doing better, and this raised the
hopes Of the light blues who thronged
the banks Of the river. The OXfordS,
however. pulled themselves, together
and qulckened their strokes, and a mag
nificent display of rowing followed,
squirt answering squirt, while the spec
tators yelled themselves hoarse in at
temptS to cheer OH their faYoriteS. just
below the oil mills, about two miles
from the acqueduct, Cambridge began to
Fall Further Behind.
When the boats reached Chiswick
Eyot, about two miles and half from
The starting point, they were uncom-
fortably close to the shore. Here the
coxswain of the Oxfords steered rather
badly, but his crew still held their adj
vantage. Cambridge spurted mantully,
but the pace set by Oxford was too
much for them. and they fell to pieces.
At ThorneycrOftS works, just beyond
Chiswick Eyot, the OXfords crossed over
and took the Cantabs' water, giving the
latter the benefit of the clear wash.
The Cambridge crew were soon too
far behind, however, for the wash to
affect them. The race now degenerated
into procession. 1t was observable as
the boats passed the Deyonshire mead
ows, just above ThoFneyeroft'S, that Ok
ford was fully three lengths ahead, and
able 10 take a rest whenever they
pleased. The Cantabs showed increas-
ing signs of distress. Around the long
bend at Barnes bridge, about three
miles five furlongs from the start. Cam
bridge pulled themselves together, and
made desperate endeavors to regain
their lost ground. They were then five
lengths behind, and their efforts were
useless. The Oxfords Slackened their
stroke before reaching Mortlake, short
distance'from the winning line. and al.
lowed their opponents to approach
them. Then ensued
Al Exciting Finish.
The Cantabs, though worn out by the
struggle, braced themselves for final
effort. Sturdily they bowed to their
task, and their long oars bent to the
strain put upon them. Their boat
Jumped forward ben cath the impulse Of
the lustv strokes, but all was OF no
avail. omparatively fresh. the dark
blues played with their opponents, and
crossed the line at the old slip, easy
winners by two lengths and a quarter,
The uproar at the finish was indie
scribable. OXford'S time was 10 minutes
81 seconds, the best ever made over the
present course; the best previous time
was 10 minutes IS seconds, made by the
Cambridge crew when they won i'll 1873
by three-ouarters of length. 1t was
in this race that sliding seats were first
utilized by the university crews. The
slowest time made over the course was
in 1860, when Cambridge won by one
length IN 26 minutes seconds.
In comparing the forms of the men.
the ragged body swings and round
shoulders Of the Cantabs were most
noticeable. The Oxford crew seemed
to have returned to the old traditions of
university orm. They rowed to their
position with the steady movement of
piece of machinery. The race was
thorough example Of the contrast be-
tween university and Thames rowing.
Cambridge pulled like the London
eight, while Oxford rowed in the old
poker-back fashion. Oxford finished i'll
as perfect form as when they began, but