The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-31
OXFORD THE WINNER.
Fifty-seventh Annual Boat Race
Of English Colleges.
GREAT THRoNG ON THE THAMES.
The Favorftes Took tho Lead NJ the
Start, Increased 1t, and Won by
Good Distance.

Putney, England. March sa-oxscrd won
the fifty-seyenth boat race today be-
tween crews representing the universities
Of Oxford and Cambridge, crossing the
line two lengths ahead OF Cambridge.
The morning was gloomy and cold. but
this did not prevent the crowds going
10 Putney 10 watch the final practice OF
the crews. During the morning both the
Oxford and Cambridge boats practiced
starting about q quarter OF an hour
Rain fell q, intervals throughout the
morning and a strong southwest wind
was blowing, but the banks OF the river
Thames were crowded az ar early hour
st 3 p. m the Cambridge coxswain went
over the course again IN a steam launch.
The wind moderated greatly during the
afternoon. and at 3:s0. IL was very light
and the water almost smooth. The press
and umplre's boats took up their posi-
lions when the hour for the race ap-
preached, and were shortly followed by
the crews oxford won the toss, and
chose the Surrey side OF the river. The
scene on the Thames was as animated
as usual, and until the course was clear
ed the river was alive with craft OF all
kinds. The boat houses OF the crews
were besieged by admirers early IN the
day, and both oxford and Cambridge
were loudly cheered as they launched
their boats. Betting just before the start
was unchanged from lHal OF last ntgGI,
when the odds were 10 2 on oxford.
The crews started at 4.0s .. m, and
Oxford soon had a lead OF half length.
At Claspar's boat house oxford held the
lead but at Craven's Cottage, less than
three-cuarers OF a mile from the start.
oxford was only quarter OF length
ahead. and at Waldon's the dark blue
boat had not increased this lead. At
Hammersmith bridge. a little over one
rta mil ha az ~
Oxford had increased the lead TO one
half a length and was widening the gap.
At Thorneycroft's about three miles from
the start oxford was a length and a
quarter ahead. and at Devonshire Mead
ows the dark blues were leading two
lengths. oxford, at Barnes bridge.
slightly over three and a half miles from
the start. had lead OF two lengths, and
eventually won by that distance.
oxford started at forty strokes 70 the
minute the Cambridge stroke contenting
himself with thirty-eight. The dark blues
throughout the race pulled steadily like
cleckwork. Opposite the lead mills Cam
bridge drew up little but the hope of
the chief admirers of the light blue soon
faded away and oxford increased her
lead as she liked. Opposite Doves. about
two miles from the start, Oxford was
pulling thirty-nine and Cambridge thirty
eight strokes 10 a minute.
Shortly after passing Doves Cambridge
again spurted and reduced Oxford's lead
a trife, but the dark blues had increased
their lead to two lengths at Devonshire
Meadows, and this lead Cambridge
ucould not cut down TO any great extent.
When Oxfords boat shot past Barnes
the dark blues were rowing we'll within
their strength and in perfect form. Cam
bridge rowed CALAMITY throughout and
did better than expected, but they evil
IDENTIFY had enough of II at the finish. Ac-
cording 10 the judges decision Oxford
won by q length and half.
The race was over the usual course. OBJ
liquely opposite the Star and Garter inn,
at Putney, to the finish line 10 yards above
Ship inn. at Mart lake The exact
length was four miles one furlong 80
yards.