The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-10
The Sturdy Young Men in Dark
Blue Score Their Twenty
sixth Victory.
They Achieve Additional Glory
by Breaking the Record for
the Course
Tho Conditions for q Race Fxcellent--Tha
Cambridge Crew Not In II at
Any Time.

time since the Inauguration Of the Oxford
Cambridge boat races the crew Of the Or
ford university boat club havs passed the
winning line ahead Of their opponent. Tho
dark blue OF Oxford was aRain carried to
victory by the strong arms OF its wearsrs.
and laundering cheers grssted the onrsmen
as thsy rested on oars after their we'll
fought battle for success. Altogether forty
nve races have been rowed. one of which,
that Of 1877, terminated in dead heat.
Tho crowd began TO assemble at nine
O'Clock, the early comers seeking the best
points Of vantage from which to view tho
contest. The wind was from the southwest.
the water perfectly smooth, and all condi-
tlons for racing were perfect. The tide was
on the flood before the time Of racing. The
crowds beaieQed the boathouss to get
glimpse Of this 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 al
the starting point, though they could not
see the proceedings, eagerly gazed in the
direction Of the officers as tho coin was
tossed for choice Of position. Oxford won
the toss, and when this was known il was
taken by the supporters Of the crew as q
happy auEury of victory. Oxford chose the
Mlddlsssx side OF the river, as, if there
was any advantage to be derived from the
food tide they would get it. The crews
took their position at the starting line. Just
above the aqueduct adjoining Putney
bridge, and at exactly 1915 the starting
signal was given.
nvFord tor T. ha ~,oAn. R.nA .~I
boat jumped to tho front. Cambridge was
quick to follow, and then the struggle be-
gan. With the perfect rhythm Of ma
chino the oars dashed in and out OF the
water, but strain and struggle as they
would, Cambridge could not close tho gap
between themselves and Oxford. The dark
blues on shore were wild with oxcitsmsnt
and yelled encouraging words to their IA
vorites. But the cheers and the cries fell
on deaf cars. RendinR to their oars the
Oxford crew saw nothing but their oppo-
nsnts behind them, and the muscles of thsir
arms and backs rose and fell 40 the steady
stroke that kept them ahead was continued
without flaw.
When Hammsrsmith bridge, ono mile
and six furlongs from the start, waa reached
Oxford was still in front. There was
hardly any change in the relative position
of the boats when the lead mills, one mile
and seven furlonas from the start, we're
passed. Oxford was then quarter OF q
length in front Both crews were pulling
at the rate of thirty-six strokes minute.
Cambridge was pulling steadily, but their
strokes did not seem to have the power of
those OF their opponents, and they dropped
slowly but surely behind.
At Chiswick mall, about two miles md q
half from the start, Oxford had increased
the load. and whom Thorny- Croft works,
IAAn -.
they were two lengths in front. This lead
they maintained to Devonahire meadows.
just beyond Thorny- Croft works, whom.
though pulling no faster more strength
seemed to be put in their strokes. and their
boat forged farther ahead. Az Rainbridge.
the start. they were two and quarter
lengths in the lead. In passing Bainbridee.
Cambridge spurted and gained little on
Oxford. but the latter bent steadily to their
oars, and pulling powerful, telling stroke,
fairly lifted their boat out OF the water.
Past the osisr beds four miles from the
star. . boats span was the advantage on
the side of Oxford. Cambridge did not
lose heart in the least. and did their utmost
to,close the gap. Their efforts were fruitlsss,
however, and they dropped astsrn. Amid
an uproar that was dsafening Oxford
crossed the line At the old ship a good
winner. It was at first announced that
thoy had won by length and half, but
official announcement of the judges put
the distance at two and quarter lengths.
Oxford's time was nineteen minutes, TWEEN
~ one seconds. The time ID the best ever
made over the pressnt course. The best
previous time is twenty minutes. five sec-
ondf. made by tho Cambridge crew wueu
hey won in 1867 by three quarters OF a
ength. The slowest time made over the
,ourse Was in 1880. whom Cambridge won
~ one length in twentysix minutes. fvo
lAGonHa