The herald., 1896-03-29
FROM PUTNEY 70 M0RTLAKE
EN0LAND'S GREAT COLLEGE BOAT RACE
WON BY THE OXFORD CREW
The wlnd Blew Half Gale and the Water Was
Lumpy, But nagnificent Race Was
Rowed In Past Time-Bay District Races
Sporting Notes.
Associated Press Special Wire.


PUTNEY. England, March 2S.-The Ok
ford crew, to the surprise of almost every
body, on the fifty-third boat race between
the universities of Oxford and Cambridge,
by about third of a length, after a most
exciting finish. Thus Oxford has won
thirty races of the series to twenty-five won
by Cambridge, the dead heat OF 1877 maxi
ing up the total number. This is the
seventh year in succession that Oxford has
beaten Cambridge. The time was 20 IA.
The course was the usual one from Put
ney bridge to the winning post above the
Ship Inn, in Mortlake, distance of about
four and one-fourth miles.
In the early hours a heavy downpour of
rain drenched the gathering sightseers and
caused thousands to remain at home.
Cambridge was hot favorite at 9 to 4,
and few takers. Cambridge embarked first,
won the toss and chose the Surrey side of
the river, q decided advantage, as a half
gale was blowing from shore, or about
southwest. raising lumpy water every
The crews embarked at 1858 PIN. At
the pistol shot at l :O2 both boats got away
sharply, Combridge pulling pretty 36 to
Oxford's slightly more powerful sweep of
"a. There was little to choose between
them until Clasper's house was reached,
approaching the first half mile, when the
Cambridge boats nose showed slightly in
front. The two crews were pulling with
great determination, splashing somewhat
on account of the rough water. At the
half-mile Oxford drew up, and showed
ahead at Waldens.
At this there was great cheering, for it
was apparent a ding-dong race was to he
had his men we'll in hand and ready for
something in squirting work without any
danger of the distress signal being dis
played. But Fernie, the Cambridge stroke,
quickly called his crew together. and pull
ing long, powerful, clean, telling stroke,
with the high feather characteristic of this
years. Cambridge crew, just the stroke for
such weather and water, regained the lead
At Crabtree wharf, nearing the one and
one-half mile post. Gold meanwhile was
sticking to his work most greedily and
calling upon the dark blues to hit her up
passed the Cambridge craft at the soap
works, amid terrific cheering from both
shores. After passing the soap works,
Oxford kept up the race and led by
nearly a length at one time. Fernie
called upon the light blues for a squirt.
They responded with such vim that the
Cambridge. boat shot under Hammer:
smith bridge short length ahead of
Oxford, and, according to tradition,
should have won the race. Gold, how
ever, was tit as . fiddle and game to the
backbone. At the lead mills, OH the upper
side of Hammersmith bridge, the crews
we're powerful at thirty.two, and prophets
who declared Oxford would go to pieces
after the first two miles looked glum and
uncomfortable, for there wers no signs Of
collapse among Colds sturdy youngsters.
The Cambridge crew were equal to the
emergency, and responding with beauti-
fully sustained effort, drew away again.
Cambridge, at Thornycrofts, had the
lead by about three-quarters of q length
and both crews were bending down to work
in the grandest manner possible. From
there to the three-mile post, about half
way between Chiswick church and
Barnes bridge, the race was most punish
lumpy water. Cambridge succeeded in
holding slight lead and shot under the
bridge ahead of Oxford. "Cambridge
wins rang from Barnes to Putney. This,
however, was not reckoning upon the re-
serve force of Colds gallant men. Their
slender racing boat fairly tore through the
water, and there was mighty shout Of
admiration when it was seen the increased
power put into Oxford stroke was steadily
taking the dark blues up to their rivals.
Bernie replied with another supreme effort,
and the light blues backed him up to the
utmost. They could not, however, throw
off their rivals. who began to overhaul
them steadily. Frantic excitement reigned
on both banks. The shouting was almost
deafening.
For a time, off Mortlake church, Cam
bridge seemed likely to be able to hold the
lead across the finish line. AS the church
was passed there was squirt by the dark
blues, which will be recorded in the history
of rowing. 1t was simply magnificent.
The men pulled as If they had just started
in the race. The dark blues overlook Cam
bridge, and for moment it was nose and
nose, with the winning post in sight.
Then, putting still more steam into their
stroke, the dark blues passed the Cam
bridge boat and finished winners by a
short three-quarters of length in 2O:O:4,
splendid time when the weather and rough
water are taken into consideration. In
Decd the time has only been beaten over
this course upon three previous occasions.
Cambridge in 1873 did the trick in 10
minutes and 35 seconds; Oxford in 1892
in 10 mi lutes and 81 seconds, and Oxford
in 1888 in 1S minutes and AT seconds.
Last year Oxford won IN 20 minutes and
90 seconds.
PUTNEY, Eng, March 2S.-The event
Vas pronounced to be the best ever seen
on the Thames course.
Oxford won simply because her repre-.