OXFORD'S RECORD ROW.

Evening Star, Issue 14574, 24 May 1911, Page 2

OXFORD'S RECORD ROW.

“ Not much of a race, but a very fine procession,” was the verdict of a good many people who witnessed the annual intervarsity boat race from Putney to Aloitlake last Saturday. There was a certain amount of injustice to Cambridge in this comment, for the. Light Blues never once acted up to the procession idea. They were always trying to win, and right up to the bitter end rowed as though they had a chance of doing so. Oxford won decisively, and maybe comfortably, in record time, but Cambridge was beaten less than three lengths, and also beat the previous best time lor the coarse. From first to last Cambridge were always behind, yot they never lost their form, and at the finish were, if anything, the fresher crew of the two. Though the conditions, tidal and atmospheric, were favorable, Oxford’s performance in winning so decisively, and completing tho course h> 18min 29sec —18scc belter than tho previous best—was something of a surprise. Oxford were expected to win, but only after a niightly tussle. Cambridge were looked upon as certaih to give the Dark Blues a lot of trouble in the earlier stages of the race, but after the first half-mile it was apparent (o everyone that, bar accidents, Oxford must win. Rowing with great power at 52 per minute, the Oxonians rapidly drew clear, -and by the lime they shot Hammersmith Bridge in 7min liseo they were leading by quite throe lengths. Just beyond the bridge a spurt at 55 enabled Cambridge to somewhat reduce their rivals’ load, but us they drew up the Oxford stroke put in an answering spurt which quickly nullified the efforts of the Light Blues. From this point tho Cantabs put in a series of spurts, sometimes striking at tho rate of 56 to the minute, but they were only efforts, and tho Oxford stroke, keeping his men at 52, easily hold them at bay. After passing under Barnes Bridge the Dark Blues quickened up to 54, and in response the Cantabs again spurted gamely, and perceptibly gained on their rivals. But in the last minute the Oxonians quickened up to 36, and though Cambridge raised their rate to 37 they gained no more, passing the post just under three lengths ahead.

In many ways it was a remarkable race, but the fact most to bo noted was that for the first time in history it was followed by a flying machine—a 50 H. p. Bristol biplane navigated by Mr 1). 0. Gilmour. Several other aviators also appeared over the river during the progress of the contest, but Mr GUmoiir was the only one to follow the race from beginning to end. flow rapidly events move nowadays may be gathered from the fact that a year ago tho apparition of an aeroplane over the river on boat race day would have been regarded as little lees than a miracle. A year ago Mr Grahame-VVhite was unknown to fame, and nearly a month was to elapse before he made the famous flight towards Manchester, the race in which Paulhan beat him. But on Saturday there seemed nothing particularly remarkable in seeing, not one, hut several, aeroplanes flying over the course. Five started from Hendon and one from Brookiands, and four passed over Barnes Bridge almost simultaneously. The first went clattering and spluttering over Putney soon after two o’clock. It was a biplane with a passenger, and the pilot was Mr GrahameVVhite. One biplane and then another came up from the direction of Hammersmith, and having gracefully circled over Putney Bridge, went off down tho course, disappearing in the mist. Shortly before the rate started a monoplane came very rapidly from the same direction, and as rapidly returned. Then came tho biplane driven by Mr Gilmour, which, flying in great circles over tho river, so as not to outpace the boats, kept in attendance on tho race throughout. It was the most effective demonstration of tho possibilities of the aeroplane that we have yet seen in the neighborhood of London.—Our London correspondent, April 7.