New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-04
CAMBRIDGE.
OXFORD.
AN AMERICAN IN EACH BOAT.

1t was expected that there would be an I'M
usual amount Of interest In to-day's race
throughout the United States, as It the first
time since the beginning Of the series OF con-
tests, in 1929, that an American has rowed in
each boat. J. J. De Knoop, Of New College,
Oxford. and Albany, N. Y, rowed bow for his
university, the Dark Blues, and s. H. Howell,
OF Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and NewYork City,
was No. in the boat of the Light Bites.
The start was fixed for 2:15 p. m an hour
and quarter before high water. and at p. m.
the wind had freshened and was piercing cold,
promising to beat the back Of the crews the
whole way and making 1t possible that the rec
ord time might be beaten.
H. Gold, the Oxford stroke. and w. J. Fernie
the Cambridge stroke, in interviews just before
the race, expressed confidence that both crews
were in the most fit condition for the contest.
The Cambridge men were the first to embark,
having won the toss, and chose the Middlesex
side Of the river.
The start was made at 2:24 p. m, and was
admirable. Ferne. Cambridge, got Off the
mark sharper than Gold, oxford, and at the
Dukes Head, Cambridge minute after the
start had the nose of their boat in front The
Light Blues were pulling thrty-six to the min
ute, while oxford was striking thirty-four. with
the long. clear pull characteristic Of the 1897
oxford crew. 1t soon began to tell, and at
Claspers oxford was a quarter Of a length
ahead. coming away and was soon half a
length In the lead, which was never decreased.
At Welden's the oxford men were rowing
well within their strength, and pulling In the
most admirable form. They passed the Crab
Tree wharf three-quarters Of a length to the
good. Abreast Of Harrod's Uhe Soap Works.
Ferne Cambridge. who well supported.
spurted. and succeeded in slightly reducing the
Dark Blue lead. though oxford rowing in
the most perfect form, which could not be said
Of Cambridge
oxford shot Hammersmth Bridge length
ahead amid uproarious cheers from the Dark
Blue partisans on both banks. There Cambridge
began TO feel the effect Of the Oxford wash. and
at the Lead Mills. the other side of Hammer
smith Bridge, and one mile six furlongs and
fifty yards from the start, the race was practi-
cally over Gold was coming away and eav-
ing the Cambridge boat II 1t were standing
still
At the Doves, one mile. seven furlongs and
sixty yards from the start. Oxford was rowing
thirty-three and Cambridge was striking thirty
two, with the Dark Blues increasing their lead
to three lengths at Barnes Bridge. where Oxford
was still In perfect form. and 1t was obvious
that CAMBRIDGE had enough Of It, Some Of the
Light Blues were palpaby distressed.
OXFORD WINS EASILY.
At Barnes Bridge Fernie called for a final
effort, and, for time, the Cambridge crew
gained on their oxford rivals. The latter. how
ever, without unduly squirting, passed the
judges boat easy winners by bare two lengths
and In the second best time, 10 min. IL. Sec, in
which the race has been rowed over, this course.
The best time made in 1893, when oxford
won by length and four feet in IS min AZ
sec. This years Dark Blue by less
than third Of length last year in 20, min. 4
sec. Cambridge finished eleven seconds behind
Oxford.
The time of the Dark Blues at the Crab Tree
was 3 min 50 Sec; at Hammersmith Bridge. 7
min 20 sec; at Chiswick Church. II mn 3 sec
and at Barnes Bridge, 16 min.
The following table shows the winners OF the
race in previous years:
THE RECORD.