OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE BOAT-RACE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 42, 16 May 1891, Page 7

OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE BOAT-RACE.

The Sporting Standard has the following, which being by far the best account we have seen we beg to copy: —Your readers will have already heard by cable the result of this all-important race, but as there are doubtless many who still would wish to follow the course from start to finish —more especially those in your country who have been or are in any way connected with University life —additional particulars are given. While in Australia you were enjoying the balmiest of summers, we here were experiencing the severest of winters, and the morning of March 21 brought with it a keen biting wind, accompanied with blinding sleet and snow. Notwithstanding this, thousands were congregated at Putney, Hammersmith, Barnes, Mortlake, and at various other points along the banks where good views could be obtained of the race, while the river itself was as usual alive with all sorts of craft, barges, tugs, and boats of every shape and kind, making up a motley collection not to be seen in any other part of the world. For weeks previous the Oxford had by virtue of time test been established the favourites, 3 to 1 being the odds people were prepared to lay on their chance, and when it was found they had won the choice of stations a point more was given. The start was made from staked boats about 90 yards above the Stone Bridge—Oxford, of course, selecting the advantageous Middlesex side. When the pistol was fired the Oxonians, having a firmer grip of the water, struck more in unison, and were consequently the first to show in front, putting in 19 for the opening 3osec., and 36 for the minute, to the Cantabs’ 20 and 38. Up to the London Rowing Club the difference was merely a matter of a couple of feet, but opposite Clasper’s boat building works Oxford had increased their advantage to a quarter of a length, passing Bishop’s Creek in rmin i6sec. Off Craven Steps (2inin 4isec) there was just half a length between the boats ; but here, meeting with rough water and head wind, Oxford, sheltered by the high bank, while the Cantabs were out in the open, looked like drawing right away; but at Mile Tree (4min 47sec) still half a length was between the boats. From this point the conditions were equally bad for both, and excitement grew intense when it was found the Cantabs were gradually improving their position, until at the Crab Tree (6min ssec) they were only a third of a length to the bad, and shortly after passing the Soap Works drew up dead level. Both crews now made the pace warm for Hammersmith Bridge, which was first passed by Cambridge in Bmin sbsec, a yard or so to the good. Opposite the Sailing Club the Oxonians held premier position, but were again passed by the Cantabs, who at the foot of Chiswick Eyot were a quarter of a length ahead. By the time Chiswick Church was reached (i3min 38860} the light blues had gained another quarter, after passing which the Oxonians commenced to draw up, and at the end of the Lyric Club grounds the crews were again level. _ Pulling then stroke for stroke neither could claim an advantage, until shaping for Barnes Bridge, when the Cantab’s cox. steered rather erratically, allowing the Oxonians to shoot the centre arch three-quarters of a length to the good, in iBmin losec. Favoured by the bend, Oxford all but drew clear; out again spurting in splendid fashion, the Cantabs closed up foot

by foot, and finishing with a burst of 40 to the minute, they were only defeated by a short half length, the time taken in covering the course of four miles and a quarter being zimin 48sec. The dimensions of the boats were as follow : —Oxford: Length, breadth of beam, depth amidships, height forward, ’/in.; aft, 6in.; length of slide, i6fin. Cambridge: Length, 6ift.; breadth of beam, 23m.; depth amidships, Bfin.; height forward, 6£ip.; aft, sf-in.; length of slide, i6£in. The oars for Oxford were 12ft. sin. in length, with a leverage of 3ft. iiin.; and those for Cambridge 12ft. 3in. in length, with a leverage of 3ft. ioin., the blades being of barrel pattern, and fitted with the patent unbreakable button.