Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-13
OXFORD DEFEATS
CAMBRIDGE IN
CLASSIC RACE .
Wins Thames Event Fifth Sue
CeSSive -SuffragetteS
Make Threats.

UTNEY, ENGLAND, March 1S.-Yn
one of the most spectacular inter
university boat races ever rowed over
the classic Thames course, Oxford de-
teated Cambridge this afternoon. Cam
bridge led nearly all the way, but the
dark blue with a remarkable burst of
speed at the end passed the hight blue,
and shot over the mark the winner
! by three-fourths of a boat length.
amid the ringing plaudits of the great
concourse Of people who lined the river
banks.
The official time was % minutes So
seconds
Cambridge set the pace all the way,
although at Hammersmith Oxford had
crawled up to within half boat length
of Cambridge.
The spectacle was q thrilling one
from the beginning to end. 1t was a
grim struggle all the way. Cambridge
got away first and forged ahead with
such a sturdy stroke that It looked
though the light blue would surely fin
ish the winner.
Along the Thames the course, where
for four and half miles every inch of
space was massed with humanity.
cheers for Cambridge and for oxford
broke forth
One accident marred the race. At
Hammersmith, just after the boats had
passed. the ratings of the river banks
gave away and scores of persons were
plunged into the Thames river.
1t was the closest race on record
and the most exciting. oxford won at
the post, nosing ahead of Cambridge at
the last minute.
Oxford creeps Up.
At Harrods oxford had begun TO
decrease Cambridge's lead. but tho
light blue, with a mighty squirt. forced
ahead again. At the Mall Cambridge
led by length, but the oxford men
were bending to their oars with strain
ing backs and were apparently gaining.
At this point, however, Cambridge
spurted up her stroke and again
crawled away from oxford.
At Barnes Bridge Cambridge was
leading by length and half and the
supporters Of the light blue were wild
with delight.
|
it was nip and tuck, each crew rowing
its hardest.
Both boats were thanked by launches
filled with police to prevent any In
corruption of the race by sWffragettes
Taken together with the excitement
of the close contest and the dangers
attending from the militant suffragettes.
this contest afforded an aquatic event
which will go down in English rowing
history as unique.
This was the fifth consecutive time
Oxford has won the contest. Cam
bridge won the toss and chose the Sur
rey side, the water being calmer.
Guards Against Women.
The unusual feature of today's event
arose from the elaborate precautions
which had been taken to prevent inter
ruption of the contest. owing to the
threats which militant suffragettes
had made to break up this long and
honorable struggle for aquatic SUI
premacy between the two great seats
Of learning. These threats came as
shock to the British people, who have
come to regard this traditional rowing
| event as q nallOWeQ institution.
The Thames was guarded on both
banks by soldiers, police and private
guards all night. and no woman, how
ever plausible her explanation, was al
lowed to approach the lighthouses.
Patrol launches, filled with police
steamed up and down the river, for it
had been suspected that the women
might attempt to plant mines in the
river bed-not for the purpose of tax
ing human life. but to disturb the sur
face of the water and make the race
impossible. Despite the danger OF in
terruption, which, after all. added to
the tingle of excitement, the crowd
which gathered along the course was
fully as large as ever before. The
weather was fair, with a light wind
The Prince of Wales, who is an ar
dent follower Of aquatic sports. came
down from London to see the race. The
launch Mariana was set aside for his
use. and the oxford coach, Harcourt
Gold, was an invited guest on board.
Both crews were astir early In the
morning and took practice spins, their
shells being flanked on both sides by
police patrol boats.