New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-10
OXFORD WINS THE RACE.
DEFEATING CAMBRIDGE on TIE THAMES By
TWO AND \ QUARTER LENGTHS.

THE WHINING CRLW , I4Nb ~ NHNOANo AM
81 sncoSDs-THE DAY PERFECT AND THE
CONTEST WITNESSED BY GREAT CROWDS.
London. April 9-For the twenty sixth time
since the foundation of the OXford-Cambrldge boat
race the crew of the oxford University Boat
Club to-day passed the winning line ahead OF
their opponents Altogether iorty-nine races have
been rowed one Of which, that of 1871, terminated
in dead heat.
The Cambridge crew were the first 10 enter ther
boat They pulled TO the stakeboat, belne re-
ceived with loud cheering. Three minutes later
The Oxfords followed them, and there a repe,i-
lion of the enthusiasm as they padded 10 the
starting point The excitement was intense. Both
crews were In fine form, and everybody expected
q keen struggle Many thought that there would
be q repetition Of last years battle, when the
Oyfords won after the finest race ever seen on
the Thames
Brawny-armed and sturdy, the rested on
their oars at the starting lire, just above the
aqueduct adjoining Putney Bridge. and at en-
actly II :lG the starting signal, the firing OF a
pistol. was given. The Cambridge crew took the
water first pulling thirty-eght strokes to the
minute. and their boat jumped to the front. OK
ford started with thrty-nlne strokes with the per
feet rhythm of a machine the oars flashed III ana
out of the water, but oxford could not close the
with excitement but the cheers and cries fell on
deaf ears. Bending 10 their oars, the Cambridge
crew saw nothing but their opponents behind them,
and the steady stroke that kept them ahead was
continued without flaw. The Cambridge crowd
on the Putney Pier, in front OF the Star ana
Garter and Dukes Head inns, and along the con
crete wall the opposite side oil the HNer'
cheered and yelled but in a flash the boats were
past them, almost flying upstream. AZ CASPER
boathouse about three fUrlongs from the start
Cambridge was quarter of length IN the leah'
and this advantage retained as the TWO poa'S
passed Craven Steps about three furlOngs further
on. Past the Grass Wharf, Roscbank the OTaD
Trees. and the Malt Houses the relative positions
of tho boats were unchanged: but az they nearcd
Hammersmith Bridge, one mile and siN iurohes
from the start, the fastT and now stronger stroke
of the Dark Blues began 10 tell, and they Ore" up
TO a level with their opponents
A few seconds later oxford had taken the iead.
and had put a gap Of three-quarters OF leng'h De
tween herself and Cambridge. Both crews were wen
I'm the centre of tire river Then was seen sp eHul
bit of racing, but the OXfoIds Iecame slsh'lS
ragged. Cambridge was doing better, and this
raised the hopes of the Light Blue who tlronsed
the banks Of the river The OXfords, however
pulled themselves together, and quickcncI iheIr
stroke Squirt answered squirt, while TIE spcc'"-
tors yelled themselves hOarsc in attempts TO cheer
on their favoritcs. Just below the Oil Mills, about
two miles from the Aqueduct. Cambridge began
TO fall further behind. When the boats reached
Chiswick Fyot about two miles and half from
the starting point, they were uncomlorably close
10 the shore. Here the coNswain of the Oxforls
steered rather badly, but his still held their
advantage.
The heavily laden steamers had fallen far be
hind. The Cambridge crew spurted maniully,
but the pace set by Oxford was too much for
them. and they went TO pieces. At ThoIney-
crofts Works, just beyond Chswick Fyot the
OXfords crossed over and took the Cantabs wafer.
The Cambridge soon TOO far behind.
however, for the wash 10 affect them. The race
now became procession. As the boats passed
the Devcnshirc Meadows, just above Thorncy-
crofts oxford fully three lengths ahead
The Cantabs showed increasing signs Of
distress. Around Tie long bend at Barnes
Bridge, about three miles and five furlongs from
the start, the Cambridge men made desperate en-
deavors to regain their lost ground. They were
then five lengths behind, and their efforts were
useless The OXfOrds slackened their stroke be-
fore reaching Mortake, short distance from the
winning line, and allowed their opponents 10 dp-
proach them. Then ensued an exciting Enlsn.
The Cantabs worn out by their struggle, braced
themselves for a final effort Their boat Jumped
forward beneath the Impulse OF the lusty strokeo'
Comparatively fresh, the Dark Blues played
with their opponents. and their boat crossed the
line 1T the Old Ship Inn on easy winner by
two lengths and a quarter The uproar at the
finish was indescribabic. OXford's time was 10
minutes, 81 seconds. The time is the best ever
mace over the present course The best previous
time was 10 minutes. 80 seconds; made by the
Cambridge crew when they won the race III 1873,
by three and one-fourth lengths. 1t was in this
race that tsliding seats were first used by the
University crews The sowest time made over
the course was in 1860, when Cambridge won by
one length in 90 minutes. seconds.
The crews were follows:
OXFORD.
St. y;
r. b. Cotton. M,gdslcn dow .................. II