The San Francisco call., 1897-04-04
Annual Eight-Oar Race Be-
tween Crews of the
Universities.
Cambridge Makes Gallant
Struggle, but Is Clearly
Outrowed.
Never Has T here Been Such Large
Crowd of Spectators on the Banks
of the Thames.

LONOONf ENS.i Ap-bl os-1 hS ohh eoA
eight.oar race between the crews OF the
universities of Oxford and Cam bridge was
rowed to-day over the Thames champion
ship course of four and 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 fore
noon, but the usual crowds began mov-
ing toward Putney at an early hour, most
of them wearing light or blue colors. and
the countless cabmen had colors of their
favorites tied TO their coats. Special trains,
which were run at frequent intervals,
were packed with people, though many OF
those went.to Sydenham, where the cham
pionship game of football between Eng
land and Scotland was to be played.
At noon there was strong wind from
the east, veering slightly TO the south,
which promised fast race. The Oxford
men came out in their working boat and
padded about for few minutes. They
then spurted for a mile and hall at a
fast stroke. after W iich they returned to
theif quarters.
TIE weather was bitterly cold, but the
water was smooth. 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 feature was as popular ALI
event this year as it has always been
hitherto. Besides attracting great throng
of amateurs the race as usual drew to the
banks OF the Thames thousands of cock
news, to whom In spite of their ignorance
of faquatics,. it was 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 many previous years.
The stone bridge which leads to the
high 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
spectators, 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
tine winning-post, and Barnes railway
:. bridge had 3 smaller but not less enthu-
.siastic 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 specta-
tors. So had innumerabie barges, tugs,
RATS. 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 a royal procession.
Barges were 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 passe nger- boats-which con-
= veyed the persons privileged to follow the
racers took up their appointed places.
These clumsy craft were allotted respec-
lively to guests of the empire, guests of
the Oxford University Boat Club, guests
of the Cambridge University 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
Cambridge men as nominal chalIengers
were the first in leaving their headquarters
r amid the cheers of their supporters. They
carried beautiful new clasper boat to the
landing stage and were soon af1oat pad
ding with slow precision to a skiff
moored for them In tbs stream, and tax.
ing their place there to await the arrival
of their opponents, apparently oblivious
of theTounds OF applause which greeted
them on every side.
Again the movement on shore, and the
Oxford crew emerged from their head
quarters and raised their dark blue blades
over the heads OF the crowds. As they
carried their boat to the water they were
greeted with an outburst of enthusiasm
exceeding in volume and fervor that &C.
corded to the light blues, for TO the greet
ings of genuine Oxonian partisans was
added that miscellaneous sympathy
which seems invariably to attach itself to
prospec tive as well as actual victors in
any contest. They were soon launched.
and paddled out amid continuous cheers
TO their own moored skiff.
All preparations having been completed,
the umpire, Frank william, on board a lit.
p tie steam launch, put to the crews the Gus
tomary question. "Are you ready 2" and
almost Instantly afterward gave the signal
to start, by firing his pistol. The oars of both
crews fell almost simultaneously into the
water and the boats shot forward on their
course AT prescribed interval the four
paddle wheel steamers followed the racers,
their occupants, with the exception of the
busy reporters on the press boat, roaring
encouragement to their respective IA
vorites.
The boats got off at 2:24 O'Clock exactly.
At the London Rowing Clubs boathouse
oxford was "a few feet ahead, bu. upon
reaching Bishops Creek Cam bridge
spurted and drew up level with the OK
onians and were rowing well. 1t was an
exceptionally good race to Craven cottage,
{ little short of mile from the start.
Cambridge sticking close to the Oxford
boat, but at Hammersmith bridge OK.
ford had drawn away and was about a
length ahead. Both crews were fresh and
rowing steadily. Oxford. however. in.
creased their lead and at Chiswick Eyot.
about two and three.quarters miles from
the start, had drawn ahead a Length and
half. At Bulls Head Oxford seemed to
De Leading by two lengths, and as the
Doats passed under Barnes Railway bridge
Twas seen that the dark blues were fully
s"o lengths ahead and racing splendidly.