Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-23
OXFORD.
CAMBRIDGE.

On Putuey bridge, before the
race began, serried rows of people
lined the parapet and watched the prep
arations for the start with eager inter
est. Each side OF the river was lined
with tugs, barges, wherries and all man
ner of odd craft accommodating sight
seers. Ashore and afoat there was
CAV show of bunting. Along the course,
balconies were filled with gaily dressed
ladies and the scene was one OF constant
brightness. The start took place from
the stone bridge at Putney.
The appearance of both crews was
the signal for an outburst OF hearty
cheering. Cambridge Won the toss and
selected the Surrey side, the sunny
side of the river. The tide was run
ming strongly and there was slight
wind. The crews having stripped, lit
tie remained to distinguish one crew
from the other except the colors OF
their oar blades. All being In ieadi-
ness, the official starter fired his pistol,
and amid the shouts OF thousands OF
admirers ard the hooting and screeches
of steam whistles the crews shot up
stream to decide their tiftieth contest.
Yells of excitement and shouts OF en-
couragement to both crews arose all
along the course as the boats came in
sight, and as they passed crafts OF every
kind to be seen on the Thames closed
in behind and crowded after.
1t was exactly 4:34 when the pistol
was fired. Cambridge took the water
first and obtained slight lead which,
as Clasper's boat house was reached,
amounted to about three feet Both
crews were pulling thirty-eight strokes
20 the minute. II was very pretty
and close race TO Hammersmith bridge,
a mile and three-Quarters from the
start. Here oxford, who had forged TO
the front, had lead OF
quarter OF q length. The light blues,
however, let themselves out pass
ing the bridge, and their squirt
placed them even with their
opponents. This position they were
unable to maintain and when the lead
mills were reached the Oxonians were
again slowly but surely regaining their
lead. Never afterward were the Cam
bridge crew able to catch up with the
Oxfords. At Chiswick Eyot, the small
island in the reach about two miles and
a half from the start, Cambridge made
another spurt. but their efforts were In
vain. the Oxonians who were then three
feet ahead easily keeping the advantage.
Trouble was anticipated at Barnes
fridge, little more than three and
one-half miles from the starting point,
but both coxswains handled their boats
skiIlfully and the open water beyond
was reached without accident. Oxford
was now a length and quarter ahead.
The light blues struggled manfuily TO
overtake their opponents and passing
through the Osier beds their sturdy
stroke began TO tell little in their
favor. inch by inch they gained.
but the Oxford men with all
their reserve strength brought into play
swung backward and forward, fairly
lifting their she'll from the water. Both
crews struggled desperately for the
mastery. but the oxford crew, despite
the twenty-five pounds heavier weight
In their boat. pulled the more powerful
and telling stroke and passed the finish
ing line two lengths ahead Of Cambridge.
The official time was Is minutes AZ sec
oads. the best time ever made over the
course, the best previous time, made oY
oxford last year, having been 10 min
ules 81 seconds
The scene at the finish was one OF
wtA-Iing hubub aud agitation. The
yiHR,rs were greeted with tumuit OF
{ause, which was answered by coun-