The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-04-03
OXFORD AHEAD.
Dark Blue Wins the Great
Race at Henley by
Three Lengths.
cAMBRIDGE's GALLANT sPURT
The Contest Won, However, by the
Middle Of the Course-The
Two College Crews.
GALLANT Squirt
By Cable to the United Press.

eight oar race between the crews OF the
Universities 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.
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 wearing
light or dark blue colors, and the count
less cabmen had the colors of the IA
vorites tied to their whips. Special
trains which were run at frequent in
tervals, were packed with people, though
many of these went to Sydenham, where
the championship game of football be-
tween England and Scotland was to be
played.
At noon there was strong wind from
the west, veering slightly to the south,
which promised fast rate. The Ok
ford men came out in their working
boat and padded about for few min
utes. Then they spurted for minute
and half at a fast stroke. after which
they returned to their quarters.
The weather was bitterly cold, but the
water was smoother. 1t was evident
from the size of the crowd that occupied
every available space along the banks of
the Thames at Putney and throughout
the course that the fixture was as popu-
lar an event this year as it has always
been hitherto. Besides attracting a
great throng of amateurs, the race, as
usual, drew to the the banks of the
Thames thousands of cockneys. to whom
in spite of their ignorance of acquatics,
nj 1a Of
year, and to witness which they brave
the worst kind of weather, and to these
must be added all the friends of the oars
men forming the University crews of this
and many previous years.
The stone bridge which leads the big
road across the river at Putney, close TO
the point from which the boats started,
was thronged with people, and the wide
stretch of shore just below on the right
bank in front of the lighthouses of the
London, Leander and other rowing clubs
was no less densely packed with specta-
tors, this being the place at which the
boats were launched. Equally great were
the crowds of holiday makers on all parts
of the towpath along the riverside and
upon Hammersmith Bridge, beneath
which the boats passed on their course
to the winding post, and Barnes Railway
Bridge had a smaller but not less en-
thusiastic patronage. Great numbers of
coaches and other vehicles were drawn
up wherever roads or waste ground gave
access to the banks, and all these had
full loads of excited and cheering spec
tators. So had innumerable barges, tugs,
Iafts and other floating things moored
along the banks at various points.
Shortly before the race was started all
traffic on the waterway was stopped by
the officials of the Thames Conservancy
as completely as is the traffic of the
streets upon the occasion of royal pro-
cession. Barges were towed out into the
stream and swung across to block the
archedway 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 appoint
ed places. These clumsy craft were al
lotted respectively to guests of the UNI
pires, guests of the Oxford University
Boat Club, guests of the Cambridge Uni
versity Boat Club and representatives of
the press.
A quick movement In front of the boat
house and a double chorus of stand
back, please, from the police, and
Here they come from the people, at
length announced the appearance of the
heroes of the hour. The Cambridge men
as nominal challengers, were first out,
leaving their headquarters, the boathouse
of the Leander Rowing Club, amid the
cheers of their supporters. They carried
the beautiful new Clapper boat to the
landing stage, and were soon afioat. pad
ding with a slow precision to a skiff
moored for them out in the stream, and
taking their place there to await the ar
rival on their opponents, apparently OBJ
livious Of the rounds OF applause which
greeted them on every side
Again the movement on shore and Ok
ford's crew emerged from their quarters,
the London Rowing Clubs boathouse. and
raised their dark blue blades over the
heads of the crowd. AS the carried their
boat to the water they were hailed with
an outburst of enthusiasm exceeding in
volume and fervor that accorded to the
light blues, for the greeting of genuine
Oxonian partisans was added that mis-
cellaneous sympathy which seems invari-
well as actual victors in any contest.
They were soon launched and padded
out amid continuous cheers to their own
moored slSiff.
All preparations having been completed
the umpire Mr.. Frank william, on board
a little steam launch. put to the crews
the customary QuGSllOI. Are you READY.
and almost Immediately afterward gave
the signal to start by firing his pistol.
The oars of both crews fell almost stimuli
taneously into the water and the boats
shot forward on their course At a
prescribed interview the four paddle
wheeled steamers wallowed after the rae
ers, their occupants, with the exception
of the busy reporters on the press boat,
roaring themselves hoarse in encourage
nient Of their respective favorites
The riverside betting at Putney, Just
hcrr fla Sf<l I fr, A TA1-f,l Il
with very few takers. Cambridge won
the toss and chose the Middlesex side OF
the river. Cambridge appeared on the
water first as the challenger and the
men were greeted with hearty cheers.
oxford came out a few minutes later,
and rs each crew padded to their as
signed stations the crowds cheered them
selves hoarse. The boats got off at PA
O. clock exactly. At the London Rowing
ahead but upon reaching Bishops Greek
Cambridge spurted and drew up level
With the Ox0nianS and was rowing well.
1t was an exceptionally good race to
Craven Cottage, q little short of mile
from the start Cambridge sticking close
to the Oxford boat, but at Hammersmith Il
Bridge Oxford had drawn away and was
about a length ahead. Both crews were
fresh and rowing steadily. Oxford how
ever. increased their lead, and at CHS
wick Eyot, about two and three-quartei
a length and half. AT Hull's Head OK
ford seemed to be leading by two
lengths, and as the boats passed under
Barnes Railway Bridge It was seen thai
the Dark Blues were fully two lengths
ahead and racing splendidly.