Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-03
OXFORD Wins VARSITY
Cambridge Beaten in Stirring
Thames Boat Race.
LOSING CREW FAvORITES
Contest a Close One Until Baines
Bridge Was Passed.
FINE WEATHER FAvORS SPORT
Immense Crowd Witnesses Historic
English Event-Finish Three and
a Half Lengths Apart.
RECORD FOR TEN YEARS.

l0Oo SamOr1ORe. -IS.lB
PUTNEY. England. April 3.-The sixty.
sixth Oxford bridge eight-oared var
sity rowing race was won on the Thames
today by Oxford by three and half
lengths after tussle which for three
quarters of the course was one of the most
stirring contests seen on the Thames for
many years. The time was 10 minutes
and 30 seconds but had the Oxonians
been pressed at the finish they could
have reduced this by good many sec
onds. AS far as Barnes bridge il was
anyb ybody's race. but at this point the
greater weight and stamina OF the dark
blues told and with a magnificent dash
r. c. Bourne. the Oxford stroke. sent
his boat to the front and passed the post
the easiest of winners.
Tens of thousands hurried to the banks
of the Thames between Putney and Mort
lake to witness the race, an event which
shares with the Derby the undying en-
thusiasm of the British sporting public.
When there occurs that rare boon.
pleasant day here in early April. then
the spectacle along the Thames is one
Of the rarest sights of the world, and IL
chanced that this morning dawned clear
and sunny. although somewhat cold
With an absence of wind, however. con-
ditions were favorable for rowing as well
as for the comfort of the spectators.
Cambridge the Favorite.
1t was an animated scene as the throng
| hurried from city and country. coming by
train. trans, motor cars and carts.
| Hundreds of brightly decorated small
craft elbowed one another as they made
their way toward the course from miles
up and down the river. The contest be-
tween the two universities is historic as
a pageant, as well as a contest of oars
manship
proclaim the crews of 1909 as inferior TO
those of the sos, the enthusiasts today
were worked up to high pitch of ex-
citement over the result Cambridge, un-
doubtedly was the favorite,
The Race in Detail.
Cambridge won the toss and chose the
Surrey side of the river, but in the alb
sence of any wind the water was smooth
and there was not much advantage I'm the
selection of a station. At the crack of the
pistol the Oxford stroke, Bourne. was the
first to grip the water, and for the first
minute his oar moved at the rate of thir-
ty-nine strokes to thrty-eight strokes
minute set by ID. c. r. Stuart, the Cam
bridge stroke. In the beginning the nose
of the Oxford boat showed slightly In the
lead. Calling to his men at Beveley
took the leaders and forged to the front.
Soon he was a quarter of a length to the
good. Bourne. however, was not to be
outdone. The Oxonians answered squirt
with squirt, and 1t soon became evident
that the race of 1909 would be memorable.
Aware that his chances of victory rested
in securing a commanding lead early In the
race. Stuart held to swift stroke. He
was well backed up by his crew. who
pulled in splendid rhythm. and pushed
farther and farther ahead. until the cox
swain of the Cambridge boat was on
level with the Oxford bow. Then the OK
ford crew came on again and closed up
rapidly, until passing the half-mile post
the two boats were level
Oxford Forges Ahead.
The excitement on the banks was tre-
mendous, and a roar of cheering broke
out as the Oxford men. gripping the water
in great style. passed their opponents and
established lead of half a length at
Harrods.
Stuart, however, was not to be denied.
He auickened his stroke and the Cam
bridge eight. rowing with splendid dash.
gradually overhauled its rival, and
the two crews shot under Hammersmith
bridge almost on a dead level.
Here Bournes longer stroke OF 35 to the
minute as against Stuart's 36 to the min
ute began to tell and the Oxonians drew
away until a spectators boat got In the
way and made swerve to one SIDE nee
essary. This enabled Cambridge again to
draw up on a level OF Chiswick the
Oxonians were again slightly in the lead.
but this advantage was only momentary.
and Stuart. by a counter squirt. brought
the boats together again at Thorneycroft
By this time the excitement on board
the launches following the boats and along
the river banks had risen to fever pitch.
and the shouts of encouragement were
deafening.
Daylight Shows Between.
Passing Barnes the boats were practic-
ally level. but from this point on the Ok
ford crew drew away, and by the time
Barnes bridge was reached there was
daylight between them. The Cambridge
men were beginning to show signs of the
Homeric struggle. and although they stuck
gaIlantly to their work the issue never
again was in doubt. The Oxonians came
right away and soon led by two lengths.
Nearing the finish. Stuart. the Cam
bridge stroke. made a desperate attempt
to rally his tired crew, but his squirt was
short-lived, and could make no impression
on the leaders The farther the oxford
crew went the better it seemed to row.
The official time of the winning crew n
the various points on the course was as
follows:
Craven steps, = minutes seconds: mile
post. minutes ) seconds: Hammersmith.
minutes seconds; Chiswick. II minutes
IS seconds; Barnes bridge III minutes 20
seconds. and at the finish. 10 minutes 80
seconds.
1t is not customary in England to take
the time of the vanquished crew. The
Cambridge men slowed down as soon as
the Oxford boat passed the finish post.
The female suffragists took advantage
OF the gathering for advertising purposes
They are sending up balloons emblazoneA
with the words, Vote for Women"