Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-10
Oxford Victorious in the Uni
versity Boat Race.
Cambridge Could Not Keep Up
the Hot Pace.
The Time Was the Fastest Ever
Made Over the Course.
Thousands of Enthusiastic Spectators
Lined the Banks Of the Thames
to witness the Great
Event.
Associated Press Dispatches.

| Associated freSS DlepdtCues.
LONDON, April 9.-For the twenty
sixth time since the Inauguration of the
Oxford Cambridge boat races, the Ok
ford university boat club have passed
the winning line ahead of their oppo.
nents.
The dark blue of Oxford was again
carried to victory today by the strong
arms of its wearers, and laundering
cheers greeted the oarsmen as they
rested on their oars after we'll fought
battle for success. Altogether forty-five
races have been rowed, one of which,
that of 1877, terminated in dead heat.
The crowd began to assemble at 8
o'clock, the early comers seeking the
| best point of vantage to witness the con-
test. The wind was from the south
west, the water was perfectly smooth,
and all in all in excellent condition for
racing. The tide was on the flood.
Before the time for racing, the crowds
besieged the boathouse to get glimpse
of the crews. At noon, the time fixed
| for the race, the oarsmen appeared, and
this was the signal for laundering
cheers that swept up and down the
river again and again. Those at the
starting point, though they could not
see the proceedings, eagerly gazed in
the direction of the officers as the coin
was tossed up for the choice of positions.
Oxford won the toss, and when this
was learned by the supporters of the
club it was taken as a happy augury.
Oxford chose the Middlesex side OF the
river, which was protected from the east
wind and the water was therefore
smooth, and if there was any advantage
to be derived from the flood tide, they
would get it.
Cambridge had the Surrey side, with
choppy water. Both crews were in fine
condition and were received with great
enthusiasm.
The crews took their positions at the
starting line just above the aque duct
adjoining Putney bridge, and at exactly
u :l6 the start signal was given.
Cambridge, pulling thirty-eight
strokes, took the lead. Oxford started
at thirty-nine strokes, but were unable
to close the gap. About three furlongs
from the start Cambridge led by half
length, which they still retained three
turlongs further on; but as the crews
neared Hammersmith bridge, one mile
anu Ci<A lul llOll IHc sGdTt, tuG IOuX
stroke of the Oxford crew began to tell,
and they drew up level with their
| opponents, and shortly gap Of three
fourths of length in favor of Oxford
was noticed.
Then ensued great struggle. Spurt
followed squirt, while the spectators
yelled themselves hoarse, cheering their
favorites.
Two miles from the aqueduct Cam
bridge fell further behind. Then fol-
lowed some bad steering on the part of
the coxswains, but the crews quickly
righted themselves and Cambridge
spurted wonderfully, but Oxford's pace
was too fast for them and they went to
pieces. Oxford took Cambridge's water.
giving the latter the benefit of the wash,
but Cambridge was too far behind TO be
affected by it.
The race degenerated into a process.
sion, Oxford fully three lengths ahead
and going as they pleased, Cambridge
showing increasing signs of distress.
Three miles and five furlongs from the
start Cambridge made desperate effort
to regain the lost ground, being then
five lengths, but it was useless. The
Oxfords slackened at Mortlake, short
distance from the winning line, and al
lowed their opponents to approach.
Then ensued an exciting finish. Cam
bridge braced themselves for the final
finish, but all to no avail, Oxford cross
ing the line an easy winner by two
lengths and quarter. Time, 10 min
utes and 81 seconds, the best on record
over the present course. Oxford won
on it's merits.
The best previous time was 20 min
utes, seconds, made by the Cambridge
crew when they won in 1867 by three
quarters of length. The slowest time
made over the course was in 1880, when
Cambridge won by one length in 26 min
utes, seconds.