Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29
OXFORD THE WINNER
Her Seventh Consecutive Victory at
Rowing Over Cambridge
GREAT CROWDS. AS u
The Weather Intensely Disagree
nbIe, But This Hns Little or No
Eject ON the Enthr,iasm of Those
witnessing the Race.

LONDON, March 2s.-The annual row.
ing contest between oxford and Cam
bridge University Fights took place to-day
over the course from Putney to Mortiake,
a distance OF four and one-quarter miles
The weather was extremely disagreeable,
but this fact had but very slight de-
terrent effect upon the thousands OF en-
thusasts who lined the banks Of the
Thames and crowded the decks of the
pleasure steamers. and shouted them
selves hoarse In encouragement of the
respective crews.
The usual crowds witnessed the launch
ing Of the boats, and both crews were
heartily cheered as they padded away to
the starting point.
The Cambridge crew were the first to
make their appearance. and the crowd
went wild over them. They were quickly
followed by the oxford men, and the
cheering was renewed. Cambridge won
the toss for position, and took the Sur
rey side. The water was rough, and a
strong head-wind was blowing.
The boats got off at 1:8 +. NJ, and
| had a good start. Cambridge began with
| her best rowing, pulling thirty-eight
strokes the fir. minute, and wien OPP
posite the lighthouses was i'll the lead
more than her fore-canyas. Both crews
| were then rowing at a high rate, Cam
| bridge was leading by quarter OF a
| length, and at the soap-works had in
creased her lead TO half a length. At
| Hammersmith bridge Cambridge still held
| her lead OF half length, and at CHS
i'll ~l,1 v lem 9TH hrQ
Both crews were straining every nerve
| and muscle, but Cambridge seemed to be
| the stronger, and at Thorneycrofts was
| a full length in the lead. Both crews
were pulling hard, and doing some splash
| ing. but Cambridge seemed TO be putting
more power into her strokes, and upon
| approaching Barnes she was nearly two
| lengths in advance Of the oxford boat
Both crews were now showing signs OF
| the tremendous strain upon them, the
severity of the struggle being apparent
| 10 everybody. From this point, however,
| the Oxfords began to gain. and nearing
| the bridge drew rapidly upon the leaders.
| who had lost more than half OF their
| advantage, and were only three quarters
| of length ahead. In shooting the bridge
| Cambridge was hampered by the rough
| water. and failed To maintain her lead
| oxford gradually crept up on the Cam
bridge boat, and the excitement on the
| banks and on board the boats following
| the racers became intense.
| The oxford boat from this point drew
| ahead. and reached the Ship Hotel, al
| Mortlake. the finishing point, a winner by
| A quarter OK a length, adding one more
| 10 Oxfords list of six consecutive victo-
| ries since Cambridge has won Varsity
| race.
The usual deafening cheers and screech-
| ing OF whistles greeted the victorious
/ crew, and the usual scenes In other re-
| spects were enacted, for. except the slight
| differences made by the weather, one
| years show along the Thames champion
| ship course from PutEey 10 Mortlake i;
| exactly like another
/ and l second.