The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-04
OXFORD WINS THE BOAT RACE.
Cambridge Three Lengths Behind at
the Finish.

London, April S.--The annual eight-oar-
ed race between the crews Of the Unlver-
stiles of oxford and Cambridge, was row.
ed to-day over the Thames championship
course Of four and one-quarter miles,
from Putney to Mortlake, and was 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, neverthe-
less, began moving towards Putney at an
early hour.
The weather was bitterly cold, but the
water was smooth. It 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 popular an
event this year as 1t has always been
hitherto.
The stone bridge, which leads to the
high road across the river at Putney, close
to the starting point, was thronged 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 he
place at which the boats were launched.
IAQuaAl1 great were ltlt GIpMue VI IOh-
day makers on all parts of the tow-path
along the river side. and upon Hammer
smith bridge, beneath which the boats
passed on their course 10 the winning
post
Great numbers OF coaches and other We
hicles were drawn up wherever roads or
waste ground gave access to the banks,
and all these had full loads of cheering
spectators, SO had innumerable barges,
tugs, RATS and other floating things moor
ed along the banks at various points
Shortly before the race was started all
traffic on the water way was stopped by
the official of the Thames conservancy as
completely as is the traffic of the streets
upon the occasion of q royal procession.
The boats got off at 2.2i o'clock. AT the
London Rowing Clubs boat house oxford
was few feet ahead, but upon reaching
Bishops creek, Cambridge spurted and
drew up level with the DXfords.
1t was an exceptionally good race to
Craven Cottage, a little short of a mile
from the start, Cambridge sticking close
TO the oxford boat, but at Hammersmith
bridge, oxford had drawn away and was
about a length ahead Both crews were
fresh and rowing steadily.
oxford. however, increased her lead and
at Chiswck Eyot. about two and three
quarter miles from the start, had drawn
ahead a length and a half AT Bulls
Head Oxford seemed to be leading by two
lengths and as the boats passed under the
Barnes railway bridge, it was seen that
the dark blues were fully two lengths
ahead, and racing splendidly
ONford's time as officially announced was
10 minutes II As seconds. The same au-
thority states that oxford won by 23s
lengths.
Cambridge struck water first al the start
and led slightly at Dukes Head a short
~. Ist.e
never in the lead thereafter.
The Globe and the Pail Mall Gazette
agree in the statement that the oxford
boat passed Barnes bridge three lengths
ahead and that the race was then virtu-
ally over, although Fernie. the Cambridge
stroke, did not relax his efforts to spur his
men on to possible victory.
There was an American In each boat
De Knoop of New College oxford, rowed
bow for his university. He.is a resident
of Albany. b. IL. Howell, No. in the
Cambridge boat, lives in New York city