New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12

how there was reeerve OF vitality stored In the
Oxford boat which was lacking In the Cambridge
Both crews quickened their stroke and struggled
desperately: but do what he might. Fernie could
not electrify an exhausted crew with energy,
while Gold in the Oxford boat in his final effort
| succeeded in renvigorating his men. Oxford shot
ahead the winner of one OF the best races ever
seen on the river. Then the GREATNESS
crowds on the banks found their voices, and
deafening arose from multitude which
hardly knew with any degree OF certainty which
crew had won; and this was taken down the
river from Mortlake and Barnes to Hammersmith
and all the way TO Putney. Thousands were
cheering without having any knowledge of the
final result and 1t was not until the press boat
returned on the passage to Putney with the dark
blue over the light blue that the vctors were
identified But it mattered little, except to the
betting men, which crew had won II was
great rnce. we'll rowed and hard fought every
yard Of the distance, and it deserved all the
cheering which 1t received.
AFTER THE RACE.
During the run on the press boat down the
river to Westminster and Temple piers all the
expert talent was employed in explaining how
the crew which had been considered the inferior
one had succeeded in winning the race. LORD
Russell the venerable Lord Chief Justice was on
board masquerading press man. but he did
not attempt to decide complex a question: and
as Cambridge man his opinion might have been
considered prejudiced. Sir Edward Clarke was
also on the boat; but while he was competent 70
protect the interests of fifteen so-called rebels
against the Queen in the jameson trial. he Lacked
the critical acumen required for balancing the
evidence against one crew and In favor OF the
other Nor were the veteran reporters united on
any other proposition than this, namely that it
had been great race in nasty weather.
The Cambridge coxswain was censured for
making too wide sheer before shooting Barnes
Bridge but this was hardly reasonable since inc
steering of each boat was admirable IL the
Cambridge boat got into rougher water than Ox-
ford on the last reach. there was no help Tor It,
1t was ahead Of Cambridge, and the crew had 10
founder through it while racing for the goal
Then. again. the Oxford stroke was criticised as
the shorter and less scientific. although 1t had
been the winning stroke; and here again the
reasoning seemed at fault for. owing to inferior
postion the victors had the longer pull, yet they
had lower average to the minute. Apparently
theirs was the longer as we'll as the more power
full stroke, although their rowing was more
ragged at times than the faultless Cambridge
style
Perhaps the most rational explanation was the
predominance of Eton men in the winning BOAT.
There six of them on the oxford crew and
only two in the Cambridge eight. The superior
training and weight Of the Eton men may nave
turned the scale at the last moment Elton is the
great training school for university oarsman-
ship. When Gold. with the goal three hundred
yards distant ordered the last desperate rally, ne
had the staying power OF the trained men from
Eton in reserve. and it carried Oxford two-iifths
of a length in advance. But whether Eton's pres
tge has been increased or not. Colds remarkable
squirt with a crew which seemed to be hopelessly
beaten will be remembered as one OF the best ira
ditions OF the river AS an exhibition Of English
grit and tenacity OF purpose, II has seldom been
excelled. i. y. +.