Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-30
A Close and Exciting Race
from Putney to MortIake.
Light Blues Were the Favorltes But
Dark Blues Lead at Finish.
"cantabs" Lead on But 0aords Rally
Struggle from Start 10 Finish.


Thus far Oxford has won 30 races of the
,Aries to % won by Cambridge, the dead
heat OF 1877 making up the total number
Of races pulled. This is the seventh year
IN succession that Oxford has defeated
Cambridge. Tle time was 20:04 and the
sOurse was the usual one from Putney
bridge to the winning post above the Ship
Inn at Mortlake, distance about ~ miles.
The morning opened cold and cherries
and with prospects of poor attendance.
In the early hours heavy downpour of
rain drenched the gathering sightseers and
caused thousands to decide to remain at
home. This shower was followed at inter
vals by other rainfalls, accompanied by a
cold, biting wind. AS Il result the crowds
along the banks of Old Father Thames
we're much simmer than usual.
Cambridge was u hot favorite at 8 to 4,
and few takers at that. In fact the Light
Blues were looked upon. previous to the
start as almost certain winners, "barring
AccIdents'' .f
Cambridge embarked first, won the toss,
and chose the Surrey side of the river.
which was n decided advantage, as half
gale OF wind was blowing from that shore
Or about southwest. raising lumpy water
tySry where and quite little sea at the
bad places.
The crews embarked at II: IS p. m, and
were cheered as warmly as possible under
the circumstances. At the pistol shot at
Loo both boats got away sharply, Cam
bridge pulling pretty 80 to Oxfords
slightly more powerful sweep AT 81
There was little to choose between them
until Claspers boathouse was reached, APP
preaching the first half mile, when the
Cam bridge boats nose showed slightly
in front. The two crews We're pulling
with great determination, and splashing
somewhat on account of the rough water
At the half mile Oxford laid down TO it in
fine shape, drew up and showed ahead at
Wedens
Splendid Race Assured.
At this there was great cheering, for it
was apparent that u splendid ding-dong
race was to be rowed. Gold, of Magdalen.
the Oxford stroke. evidently had his men
well in hand, and it was easily to lie seen
he could cali on them for some good squirt
Ing work without any danger of the dis
tress signal being displayed. But, ternie,
the Cambridge stroke, whose training ON
board the Worcester stood him in good
stead quickly called his crew together,
and. pulling long, powerful, clean tell
ing stroke with the high feather charac-
teristic of this years Cambridge crew,
0ust the stroke for such weather and
water), regained the lead at the Crabtree
wharf, nearing the 4 mile post, which is
at the Soap works, a little higher up the
river
Gold. in the meanwhile, was sticking to
Iic work mast .r,pnIily and callipp 1Dpp
the dark blues to hit her up again, the Ok
ford boat Tapped up to and passed the Cam
bridge craft at the soap works amid IL
storm of terrific cheering from both shores
Up to that point the race had been as
pretty one rs ever was pulled. 1t was
nip and tuck little or nothing to chose be-
tween the two crews both laying down to
1t in grand style, and with plenty of re-
serve force in either boat.
After passing the soap works Oxford
kept up the pace and led by nearly u
length at one time. Fernie. thereupon
called on the light blues for Il squirt and
they responded with such vim that the
Cambridge boat shot under Hammer
smith bridge short length ahead of Ok
ford, and according to tradition should
have won the race.
Gold, however, was as fit rs Il fiddle and
game to the backbone. Down the dark
blues laid to it, and the manner in which
they drove their boat through the water
soon hushed the jubilant cheering Of the
partisnns of Cambridge. who then looked
upon the light blues rs certain winners.
Slowly, but perceptibly the dark blues
gained, in spite OF the magnificent work
of the Cambridge men.
At the Lead Mills
on the upper side of Hammersmith bridge,
both crews We're pulling powerful :2,
and the prophets who declared that Ok
ford would go TO pieces after the first two
miles looked glum AMI uncomfortable.
for there were no signs of collapse among
Colds sturdy youngsters. who only
grpped the water more powerfully as
they sped by The Doves. In fact the
strength of the Oxford men seemed to in
crease instead of diminish as the struggle
wore on, and there was as much dash IN
their stroke ut the two miles as there wa.
at the start.
Under the influence of this telling worl;
the dark blues cut out great work for the
Cambridge crew, but the latter were quite
equal to the emergency, and. responding
with beautifully sustained effort, they
drew away again, causing II hurricane OF
luore exciting race could hardly be i'm
agined and the enthusiasm was intense.
Cambridge, at Thornycrofts, had Il leat
of about three-quarters of II length, ant
both crews We're bending to their work il
the grandest manner possible. From
there to the three mile post, about hal
way between Chiswick church and Barn
bridge, the race was most Furnishing, boil
from the pace set and the lumpy water.
Cambridge succeeded in holding IA Sigh
lead and shot under the bridge ahead o
Oxiord, whereupon there was another
storm of applause and encouragement
The sightseers thought the race was over
ana that the light blues had it beyond
doubt Cambridge wins'' was the CT,
which rang from Barnes to Putney Thi,
however was without reckoning upon TN
reserve force OF Colds gallant men. Tn
cheering only nerved Them to still anothe
beautiful effort, and down they went Ia ,
AN sslf their lives depended upon the result
lhey almost lifted their craft over TN
seas, aud drove her along in IA ,naune
which will long be remembered on tb
Thames. The long slender racing hon
laArly tore through the water and ther,
vac mighty shout when il was seen tina
IA - al