The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-29
A MOST EXCITING FINISH
Fifty-T Third Boat Race Between
These Universities.
THE OFFICIAL TIME WAS 2o:oI
OF the Fifty-Three Contests Oxford
Has Won 80, the Last 7 in Success
sion, and Cambridge Has
Won %.
Won 22

Won 22.
Putney, England, March 28.-The
Oxford crew to the surprise Of almost
everybody ashore and afoat, won the
ffty-third boat race between the Uni
yersities Of Oxford and Cambridge by
about third Of a length and after
most exciting finish. Thus, Oxford
has won thirty races of the series to
twenty-five won by Cambridge, the
dead heat of 1877 making up the total
number Of races pulled off This is the
| seventh year in succession that Ok
ford has defeated Cambridge.
The official time was 20:01 and the
course was the usual one from Putney
Bridge to the winning post above the
ship Inn, at Mortlake, a distance OF a
bout AZ miles The morning opened
cold and cherries and with prospects
Of a poor attendance. In the early
hours, a heavy downpour of rain
drenched the gathering sight-seers and
caused thousands to decide to remain
at home. This shower was followed at
intervals by other rain-falls, accom-
t1fAhiNN ~ a NO4tAs OltAuR WInu. As tl
result the crowds along the banks of
Old Father Thames were much slim
mer than usual.
Cambridge was a hot favorite at six
to four and few takers at that. In fact
the light blues We're looked upon pre-
vious 70 the start as almost certain
winners, barring accidents"
At the pistol Shot at 1:02 both boats
got away sharply Cambridge pulling
a pretty 56 to OXford's light but more
powerful sweep of "a.
There was little to choose between
them until Claspers boat house was
reached approaching the first half
mile, WHEN the Cambridge hoat's nose
showed slightly in front. The two
crews were pulling with great deter
mination and splashing somewhat on
account Of the rough water. At the
half mile Oxford laid down to it and i'm
fine shape drew up and showed ahead at
Walden's.
At this there was great cheering for
it was apparent that splendid ding
dong race was to be rowed Gold of
Magdalen, the Oxford stroke, evidently
had his men well i'm hand and steady
for some squirting work without any
danger Of the distress signal being dis
played. But Fernie, the Cambridge
stroke, whose training on board the |
Worcester stood him in good stead |
quickly called his crew together and, |
pulling along, powerful clean, telling |
stroke, with the high feather charac- |
teristic Of this years Cambridge crew, |
(iust the stroke for such weather and
waterD rceained the lead at the Crab |
tree wharf
Gold, in the meanwhile was sticking |
to his work most greedily, and calling |
upon the dark blues to hit her up a.
gain, the Oxford boat Tapped up to |
and passed the Cambridge craft at the |
Soap Works amid a storm of terrific |
cheering from both shores.
again Cambridge spurted and got |
the lead.
Cambridge, at Thorhycrofts, had |
lead of about three quarters of a length. |
and both crews were bending down to |
their work in the grandest manner pos /
sibie. From there to the third mile |
post, about half way between Chicwick |
church and Barnes bridge, the race |
was most furnishing, both from the |
pace set and the lumpy water Cam |
bridge succeeded in holding a slight |
lead, and shot under the bridge ahead |
of Oxford, whereupon there was an
other storm OF applause and encourage
ment.
The sight seers thought the race was
over, and that the light blues had ii |
beyond a doubt. cambridge wins.
was the cry. This, however, was with
out reckoning upon the reserve force |
OF Colds gallant men. The cheering |
fItnpya fr O. flI laaagr4ffsYi
effort, and down they went to it as if |
their lives depended upon the result. /
They almost lifted their craft over the
seas and drove her along in a manner
which will long be remembered on the
Thames. The long, slender racing boat
fairly tore through the water and there
was a mighty shout ofadmiration when
it was seen that the increased power
put into the Oxford stroke was steadily
taking the dark blues up to their rivals
Fernie replied with another supreme /
effort and his plucly light blues
backed him up to the utmost. They |
could not however, throw off their
rivals who chung to them fiercely, and
then began to overhaul them steadily, |
slowly, but surely.
Frantic excitement reigned on both
banks of the river. For time, clf
Mortlake church, Cambridge seemed
likely to be able to hold her lead across
the finish line. But this was not to be
the case.
AS the churh was passed Oxford put
its final effort and there was q squirt
from the dark blues which will be re-
corded in the history of rowing. 1T
was simply magnificent. The men pull
ed as if they had just started in the
race, and there was no resisting it.
The dark blues overlook the Cantabs,
for moment or 50 it was nose and