New-York tribune., 1909-04-04
4 RACE OF SPURTS.
Stuart, Feteran Stroke Of Cam
bridge, Meets HIS Match.
rBy The Associated Press ]

Putney. April 5 - The sixty-sixth Oxford Cam
bridge eght-oared race won on the Thames
to-day by oxford by three and one-haf lengths.
after contest which for three-quarters Of the
course was one Of the most stirring the
Thames for many years
The time 1s minutes 80 seconds. but had
the Oxonians been pressed at the finish they could
have reduced this by a good many seconds AS
far as Barnes. Bridge it was anybody's FACE. but
this point the greater weight and stamina OF the
Dark Blue told. and with magnificent dash R. 9.
Bourne. the oxford stroke. sent his boat to the
front and passed the post the easiest of winners.
Tens a thousands of people of all classes hurried
70 the banks Of the Thames between Putney and
Mortlake for the race, which shares with the
Derby the undying love OF the British sporting
public When nature grants TO London that rare
boon-a pleasant day in early Apri-the spectacle
along The Thames is one Of the most inspiring in
the world and II CHANGED that this morning
davned clear and sunny. although somewhat cold
Wind absent. however. and conditions were
alike favorable for rowing and sightseeing.
Cambridge the toss and chose the Surrey
side Of the river. but there was wind. the water
was smooth and there was not much advantage to
be gained in the selection OF station. At the
crack Of the pistol the oxford stroke Bourne was
the first to grip the water. and his boat shot 70
the front. the stroke being thirty-nine to the
minute Thirty-eight strokes minute the
stroke set by Stuart for the Cambridge men. The
oxford boat led slightly until Beverley Brook was
reached. There Stuart called for faster stroke.
and under its impetus his shell forged the front
Keeping up the speed. # quarter of
length To the good. Bourne. however, was not to
be outdone. The Oxonans answered squirt with
squirt and reEained the lead.
CAMBRIDGE AGAIN IN LEAD.
Believing that his chance for victory depended
taking and maintaining a commanding lead
early in the Stuart held to the fast stroke in
the hope OF getting It, He well backed UP by
his crew who pulled in splendid rhythm. and
pushed further and further ahead, until the cox
swain Of the Cambridge boat again level
with the oxford bow Then the oxford crew hit
up the stroke again and closed up rapidly, so that
passing the half-rniIe post the two boats
The excitement the banks was tremendous,
and roar Of cheering broke in another
moment the oxford men, gripping the water in
great style passed their opponents and established
4 lead Of half length Harreds. Stuart quick
ened his stroke. and the Cambridge eight again
gradually overhauled their rivals. The two crews
shot under Hammersmth Bridge almost on a dead
level
Here Bournss longer stroke of thirty-fve 20 the
minute against Stuarts thrty-slx began TO tell.
and the Oxonans drew away until a spectators S
boat got IN the way and made swerve 10 one side
necessary. This enabled Cambridge again 10 draw
up 10 terms OF Chiswiok the Oxonisns were
again slightly In the lead. but this advantage was
only rnomentary. as Stuart. by counter spurt
brought the boats together again at Thorneycroft-
oxFoRD's STAMINA WINS
nv this time the excitement on the launches fol-
lowing the boats and along the river banks had
risen to fever pitch and the shouts of encourage
nent were deafening Passing Barnes the boats
were pra cticauy tied. but from this point on the
Oxford crew drew away. and by the time Barnes's
Bridge was reached there was daylight between
them The Cambridge men were beginning TO show
signs of the Homerc struggle, and. although they
stuck galantiy to their work. the issue never
again was In doubt for the Oxonians soon led by
two lengths.
Nearing the finish Stuart made desperate at
tempt to rally his tired crew, but his spurt was
short lived and made no impression on the distance
separating Cambridge from the leaders The fur
ther the oxford crew went the better they seemed
10
The of1cial time of the winning crew at the Vari-
GUS points on the course follows: Craven
Steps minutes seconds Mile Post. minutes
seconds: Hammersmth. minutes seconds; CHS
wick IL minutes 5S seconds; Barnes's Bridge, Is
minutes % seconds and at the finish. is minutes
and so seconds
II 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 crews were boated as follows: