The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-04

London, April 3.-The annual eight
oar race between the crews of the uni
versities of oxford and Cambridge was
rowed today over the Thames cham
pionship course of Az miles from Put
ney to Mortlake and won by Oxford
by three lengths.
The weather was raw and damp and
the wind blew in gusts throughout the
forenoon, but the usual crowds, never
theless, began moving towards Putney
at an early hour, most of them wear
ing light or dark blue colors, and the
countless cabmen had colors of their
favorites tied 10 their coats. Special
trains were packed with people.
At noon there was a strong wind
frcm the east. veering slightly to the
south, which promised fast race.
The Oxford men came out in their
working boat and padded about for a
few minutes. They then spurted for
minute and a half at a fast stroke.
after which they returned to their
quarters.
The weather was bitterly cold. but
the water was smooth. 1t was evident
from the size of the crowd that occu-
pied every available space along the
hanks of the Thames at Putney and
was as popular an event this year as
Il has always been hitherto. Besides
attracting a great throng of amateurs
the race. as usual, drew TO the banks of
the Thames thousands of cockneys to
whom, in spite of their ignorance of
aquat tics, it is one of the great events
Of the year, and to witness which they
brave the worst kind of weather, and
to these must be added all the friends
of the oarsmen forming the university
crews Of this and previous years.
THRONGS OF PEOPLE.
The stone bridge which leads to the
nigh road across the river at Putney,
close to the point from which the boats
started, was thrcnged with people, and
the wide stretch of shore just below
on the right bank, in front of the boat
houses of the London. Leander and
other rowing clubs, was no less densely
packed with spectators, this being the
place at which the boats were
launched. Equally great were the
crowds of holiday makers on all parts
of the tow path along the river side,
and upon Hammersmith bridge. be-
meath which the boats passed on their
course to the winning post. and Barnes
railway bridge had a smaller, but no
less enthusiastic patronage. Great
numbers of coaches and other vehicles
V ere drawn up wherever roads or waste
ground gave access to the banks, and
all these had full loads of excited and
cheering spectators. So had innumer-
able barges. tugs. RATS and other float
ing things moored along the banks at
various points.
Shortly before the race was started,
al traffic on the water way was stop
ped by the officials of the Thames con-
servancy, as completely as the traffic
of the streets would be upon
, the occasion of a royal pro-
oession. Barges We towed out
into the stream and swung across
to block the arched way under Putney
bridge. and in front of this barrier the
four steamers-ordinary paddle wheel
passenger boats-Which conveyed the
persons privileged to follow the racers.
took up their appointed places. These
clumsy craft were allotted respectively
to guests of the umpire, guests of the
Oxford university boat club. guests of
the Cambridge university club, and
representatives of the press.