1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879
BOAT RACE 1870 - 1879

Oxford University v Cambridge University

Maps


Map taken from George Drinkwater's "The Boat Race"

27: 1870, Saturday, 6th April

In 1870 CAMBRIDGE WON by 1½ lengths. Time 22 minutes and 4 seconds. Oxford 16, Cambridge 11

Finally the Thames Conservancy -

abolished that intolerable nuisance, the fleet of steamers, which without any regard for decency of order, madly struggles after the eights, often with the destruction of life and always with the discomfiture of those most interested in the struggle.

1870: The boatrace going under the old Hammersmith Bridge. Notice that there are only two steamers in evidence, but so many rowing craft! -

Boatrace at First Hammersmith Bridge, 1870
1870: The boatrace going under the old Hammersmith Bridge
The bridges going from top to bottom are:
Barnes Railway Bridge (with a train steaming to the right)
The old Hammersmith Suspension Bridge
Putney Aqueduct just below the start.

In the above picture at Hammersmith Old Suspension Bridge (the middle bridge in the picture) the inside crew (left) is purposely going wide, looking for the stream, and is forcing the outside crew into a badly taken corner.
Of course for the purposes of the print the course has been very considerably straightened!
See 1874 when the Middlesex (right) boat (Cambridge) also steered too wide, though the Surrey Boat took a more direct line than above. See also 1852 when Cambridge took the inside Surrey Arch and regretted it.


Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey. Both crews started well, Cambridge having the lower rating.

The Cambridge style had reverted to what it was under Tom Egan - before it degenerated in the 1860s - beautifully controlled – clean catch - long draw - above all constant rating - extra speed by greater power not increased rate.

Oxford tried to get ahead but each time Cambridge resisted. Then at Devonshire Meadows, in 30 strokes, still rating lower, Cambridge took clear water.

Oxford tried again in the final reach but Cambridge held on to win, officially by 1½ lengths.



Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1870
R W B Mirehouse, 11. 0
A G P Lewis, 11.2
T S Baker, 12. 9
J E Edwards-Moss,13. 0
F E H Payne, 12.10
S H Woodhouse, 11.4
W D Benson, 11.13
S D Darbishire
F H Hall, 7. 7

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1870
E S L Randolph, 10.11
J H Ridley, 11. 9
J W Dale, 12. 2
E A A Spencer, 12. 4
W H Lowe, 12. 7
E L Phelps, 12. 1
J F Strachan, 11.13
J H D Goldie, 12, 0
H E Gordon, 7.12

Sagittulae, Random Verses, E W Bowling, from Granta Victrix (about the 1870 boat race) -

These men of weight rowed strong and straight,
And led from start to finish;
Their slow and steady thirty-eight
No spurts could e'er diminish:
Till Darbyshire, not given to lose,
Sees Cambridge rowing past him;
And Goldie steps into his shoes;
Long may their leather last him!


Cambridge's first victory since 1860 was also celebrated in song - though I have some doubt about its originators. Catty of Oxford seems a possible pseudonym and the music by A. Christian of Cambridge even more so!

For thrice three years dark blue had won
Hurrah! They're best at last
'Twas said the Cambridge rowing was
A Phantom of the past.
Yet here's a song to celebrate
The 1870 crew
Who turned the tide of victory
In favour of Light Blue!

Our stroke was worth his weight i' gold
And well did Granta's sons
Take up the time they'd given them
By Goldie of St John's
...


Sliding Seats

It was becoming quite clear that efficiency in rowing required the longer stroke. The old watermen's choppy quick stroke got boats off to fast starts - but time after time over a boat race course it was the boat with the slower steadier longer stroke that lasted the course.
But there is a limit to the longer stroke. You can lean right forward at the start (but everybody knows that is not a good way to lift a weight with your back bent), and you can lie right back at the finish, but unless you can somehow move your bottom that is the limit to the inboard travel of an oar.
If only you could use the extension and power of the legs!
And so in 1870 some Yale oarsmen appeared wearing greased leather pants. They locked their feet in place and slid back and forth on smooth wooden planks, incorporating leg power into their rowing stroke and increasing the arc of the oars. And it worked!
So they then developed a sort of tea tray which slid - which must have come as a fundamental relief!
J.C. Babcock described these seats in December, 1870 -

a wooden frame about ten inches square, covered with leather, and grooved at the edges to slide on two brass tracks fastened to the thwart, of sufficient length to allow a slide of from ten inches to a foot, though in rowing the proper length of slide is from four to six inches. The ways to be occasionally lubricated with lard, and I found no stops or fastenings necessary to keep the seat in position.
The slide properly used is a decided advantage and gain of speed, and the only objection to its use is its complication and almost impracticable requirement of skill and unison in a crew, rather than any positive defect in its mechanical theory.

Illustrated Catalogue and Oarsman's Manual For 1871 -

The sliding seat changed the sport from one of fairly simple upper body power with static leg pressure to one of very complex power application.

The physics of rowing a light weight boat with the much greater weight of the oarsmen travelling up and down the boat, causing the boat to accelerate and decelerate whilst also pitching stern down and then bow down, whilst levering the boat along against a liquid fulcrum is indeed fairly complex!
There are many crews who would (and a good few more who ought to) recognise Babcock's comment that "the objection to the moving slide is its complication and the almost impracticable requirement of skill and unison in a crew".

1885: The Royal River -

It was not till 1837 that the old boats had their sides cut down. About ten years later outriggers came in, and after another ten, keel-less boats. Another ten brought sliding seats from America, and so the skiff and the four and the eight reached their perfect economy of construction, and the quality of beauty they share with their counterpart, the bicycle, on land. Both bicycle and skiff are extensions of the human machine within such limits that they remain as it were mere developed limbs working at every moment as parts of one balancing frame, projections of the person.


28: 1871, Saturday, 1st April

In 1871 CAMBRIDGE WON by 1 length. Time 23 minutes and 8 seconds. Oxford 16, Cambridge 12

Oxford won the toss and, perhaps surprisingly, chose Middlesex. Cambridge led from the start and Oxford never got ahead of them.

The Goldie method, after the first few swift strokes, was to settle into a long, steady powerful but slow rhythm which hardly altered. When a spurt was needed, it was the power and not the rating which went up.

Cambridge led by about ½ length by Craven Cottage and 2 lengths at Hammersmith Bridge. Oxford tried several times but without success. Cambridge just sat there in the lead - it was to become a trademark of Goldie's!
After Barnes Bridge, Oxford made one last effort and narrowed the lead. Goldie, at last raised the Cambridge rating, though it was still lower than Oxford's. Cambridge won by 1 length.

There was some criticism of both coxes' steering. This cannot have been that serious because Oxford used the same cox the following year.
It is of the nature of coxing that only the mistakes are obvious, the perfect courses are taken for granted whilst the spectator concentrates on other matters. At least in the boat race nobody has suggested that coxes might be dispensed with. The task is difficult and occasionally impossible. And then when the boat wins some clot comes along and tells you that all the cox did was sit there ...

Boatrace 1871
Boatrace 1871

Cambridge, nearest us, leading, Oxford having chosen the Middlesex station.


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1871
S H Woodhouse, 11. 6
E Giles, 11.13
T S Baker, 13. 3
E C Malan, 13. 1
J E Edwards-Moss, 12. 8
F E H Payne, 12. 9
J McClintock-Bunbury, 11. 8
R Lesley, 11.10
F H Hall, 7.10

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1871
J S Follett, 11. 6
John B Close, 11. 8
H J Lomax, 12. 8
E A A Spencer, 12. 9
W H Lowe, 12.10
E L Phelps, 12. 1
E S L Randolph, 11.11
J H D Goldie, 12. 6
H E Gordon, 7.13

1872: Boat Racing, Laws of

1872: Boat Racing, Laws of, as settled and approved by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and the principal boat clubs in London, on the 20th March, 1872. As recorded by Charles Dickens (Jr.), in "Dickens's Dictionary of the Thames, 1881"

1. All boat races shall be started in the following manner: The starter, on being satisfied that the competitors are ready, shall give the signal to start.
2. If the starter considers the start false, he shall at once recall the boats to their stations; and any boat refusing to start again shall be disqualified.
3. Any boat not at its post at the time specified shall be liable to be disqualified by the umpire.
4. The umpire may act as starter, as he thinks fit; where he does not so act, the starter shall be subject to the control of the umpire.
5. Each boat shall keep its own water throughout the race, and any boat departing from its own water will do so at its peril.
6. A boat's own water is its straight course, parallel with those of the other competing boats, from the station assigned to it at starting to the finish.
7. The umpire shall be sole judge of a boat's own water and proper course during the race.
8. No fouling whatever shall be allowed; the boat committing a foul shall be disqualified.
9. It shall be considered a foul when, after the race has commenced, any competitor, by his oar, boat, or person, comes in contact with the oar, boat, or person of another competitor; unless, in the opinion of the umpire, such contact is so slight as not to influence the race.
10. The umpire may, during the race, caution any competitor when in danger of committing a foul.
11. The umpire, when appealed to, shall decide all questions as to a foul.
12. A claim of foul must be made to the judge or the umpire by the competitor himself before getting out of his boat.
13. In case of a foul the umpire shall have the power:
(a) To place the boats - except the boat committing the fool, which is disqualified - in the order in which they come in;
(b) to order the boats engaged in the race, other than the boat committing the foul, to race over again on the same or another day;
(c) to restart the qualified boats from the place where the foul was committed.
14. Every boat shall abide by its accidents.
15. No boat shall be allowed to accompany a competitor for the purpose of directing his course or affording him other assistance. The boat receiving such direction or assistance shall be disqualified at the discretion of the umpire.
16. The jurisdiction of the umpire extends over the race and all matters connected with it, from the time the race is specified to start until its final termination, and his decision in all cases shall be final and without appeal.
17. Any competitor refusing to abide by the decision, or to follow the directions of the umpire, shall be disqualified.
18. The umpire, if he thinks proper, may reserve his decision provided that in every case such decision be given on the day of the race.


29: 1872, Saturday, 23rd March

In 1872 CAMBRIDGE WON by 2 lengths. Time 21 minutes and 15 seconds. Oxford 16, Cambridge 13

Cambridge were a powerful technically excellent crew stroked by G H D Goldie. Oxford had problems in training and had to replace No 2 only four days before the race 'with an untrained oarsman'. He can't have been that bad because he rowed in the same seat the following year.

The weather was very cold with a near gale-force east-north-east wind blowing and frequent stinging snow showers. Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex to get some little shelter from the weather at the start.


1872: THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE BOATRACE, THE START (Rowed in a snow storm)

It was a rather flurried start with Oxford possibly not being entirely ready for the ‘Go’ and from it Cambridge pulled into a ½ length lead -

settling down to their work in good style and rowing beautifully

But then the Cambridge cox made two or three incomprehensible moves towards Surrey.
Was he trying to find the stream having decided that this was more important than shelter?
Whatever the case it allowed Oxford back into contention.
Cambridge pulled themselves together and Oxford showed no sign of being able to draw level. Oxford were all the time rowing at a higher rate (up to 5 above Cambridge) and, for a while, it kept them in touch.


1872: UNDER HAMERSMITH BRIDGE - SKETCH FROM THE PRESS BOAT

Cambridge leading and Oxford just hanging on, the Cambridge cox pushing over towards Surrey, placing his puddles just where they will do the most good, right under the blades of the Oxford crew. A modern umpire would have been shouting himself hoarse - but Roberts knew what he was doing and trusted his crew to keep him out of trouble.

for a while Goldie took his rate up to 40 and Cambridge took a length lead at Barnes Bridge.
Oxford raised their rate again and were just overlapping. But Cambridge won by 2 lengths.

A bolt on Goldie’s rigger had broken early in the race and after that all he could do was go through the motions, setting the rating at a light pressure.


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1872
J A Ornsby, 10.13
C C Knollys, 10.12
F E H Payne, 12.12
A W Nicholson, 12. 2
E C Malan, 13. 5
R S Mitchison, 12. 2
R Lesley, 11.11
T H A Houblon, 10. 4
F H Hall, 8, 0

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1872
James B Close, 11. 3
C W Benson, 11. 4
G M Robinson, 11.12
E A A Spencer, 12. 8
C S Read, 12. 8
John B Close, 11.10
E S L Randolph, 11.11
J H D Goldie, 12. 4
C H Roberts, 6. 6

1872: The Oxford Boatrace Crew, Practising on the Isis during the floods -

1872: Oxford boatrace crew in floods
1872: The Oxford Boat Race Crew, Practising on the Isis during the floods

Spectators 1872
Spectators 1872

Fewer than two thousand university students each attended Oxford and Cambridge in that era, but many more than one hundred thousand Londoners, both poor and wealthy, cheered a major national event, the annual Oxford/Cambridge boat race on the Thames. They watched from bridges, piers, and other boats — an assemblage that evoked frantic cries and shouts,
“Bravo Oxford! Give it ‘em Cambridge!”
It is on the day of the boat-race that the boys of London are seen in all their glory, dangling from the arches, swinging from the frailest boughs of trees, wading amid the rushes.
Later at the post-race dinner one might encounter a full representation of the gentlemen of England. Grouped about the chair are elders of the Universities, fighting their old battles over again, and bathing heartily in the flush and glow of the combatants of to-day.


30: 1873, Saturday, 29th March

In 1873 CAMBRIDGE WON by 3 lengths. Time 19 minutes and 35 seconds. Oxford 16, Cambridge 14

This was the first boat race to use sliding seats.See above. To those who have known nothing else it is strange that slides could be adopted without there being any abrupt change in style. The answer is that the length of slide was at first only 4 or 6 inches. And also there was some impact on style - but it facilitated the movement that had been going on anyway - the lengthening of the stroke. Cambridge took to it 'like a duck to water', Oxford found it more problematic. But then in the cyclic rise and fall of boat race fortunes Cambridge were at that time in the ascendant.
The Oxford comment on this was:
Sliding seats were first used, but it was many years before it was discovered how to get the full benefit out of them. In the early days, as we find recommended in the president's book, the object of the coach was to get the men to forget they had a slide, and to swing naturally as if on a fixed seat.

Cambridge were favourites.

The weather was better than in 1872!

That bitter wind which 12 months ago blew spitefully over the pool above the Aqueduct and chilled us to the bones:
or that blinding storm of snow that fell upon us as we steamed off in pursuit of the crews and washed away our very notes as we wrote them down:
or that frowning sky which beat the strongest tendency to hopefulness or of the desire to make the best of it:
where were they all on Saturday?
They came up now and again merely as a memory that cast a faint shadow on the brightness and gladness of one of the most glorious afternoons on which a popular out-of-door spectacle, dear to the great heart of London, could have been enjoyed.

We could think of them often along with such a sun as that which flung its golden wealth with profuse hand on the ample bosom of the Thames:
with that vast stretch of blue overhead that has hardly a speck of white cloud to hide any portion of the tint so fully in harmony with the location:
with that soft breeze which brought cooling on its wing, but was hardly strong enough to raise a ripple on the water.

Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey. But Cambridge at a lower rating moved into the lead. Oxford whilst attempting to catch up had a problem with a pleasure boat which cannot have helped. At Hammersmith Bridge Cambridge were still a length up and Oxford rowed themelves out in the attempt to compete.
Cambridge won by three lengths in 19 minutes 35 seconds (the first time under 20 minutes was achieved).


Cambridge winning by three lengths in 1873


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1873
C C Knollys, 10.11
J B Little, 10.11
M G Farrer, 11.13
A W Nicholson, 12. 5
R S Mitchison, 12. 2
W E Sherwood, 11. 1
J A Ornsby, 11. 3
F T Dowding, 11. 0
G Frewer, 7.10

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE
James B Close, 11. 3
E Hoskyns, 11. 2
J E Peabody, 11. 7
W C Lecky-Browne, 12. 1
T S Turnbull, 12.12
C S Read, 12.13
C W Benson, 11. 5
H E Rhodes, 11. 1
C H Candy, 7. 5

Oxford Crew 1873
Oxford Crew 1873

Cambridge Crew 1873
Cambridge Crew 1873

31: 1874, Saturday, 28th March

In 1874 CAMBRIDGE WON by 3½ lengths. Time 22 minutes and 35 seconds. Oxford 16, Cambridge 15

Cambridge preparations went well; Oxford less well.

The weather was good and the tide slack. Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex. At the start Cambridge took a lead. Oxford were not steering well and went rather wide.
At the Mile Tree, Cambridge was almost a length up, but then Oxford steadied and came up closer.

It is said that 'Steering for the second arch of the Hammersmith Bridge' Candy, the Cambridge cox steered rather wide and this enabled Oxford to reduce the gap between the boats. There were only three arches to the old Hammersmith Suspension Bridge, and, to my mind, the only conceivable course was through the central arch which both boats should have taken as a matter of course(!)
[In 1852 Cambridge actually used the small Surrey arch and regretted it.] The small Surrey arch was by this time probably not viable as it would have been blocked by spectators' boats.
If the tide was actually slack and the weather good then both boats should have taken a racing line as near to the Surrey bank as the other boat allowed.
However maybe Cambridge thought that the flood tide was still flowing, and in that case their correct line would have been a wider turn keeping in the stream, and this was maybe where the mistake lay. Oxford in cutting the corner were assuming slack water and obviously it turned out to be the right thing to do.
See the 1870 picture of the boat race with boats going under Hammersmith Bridge. As it happens in that picture you can see the Middlesex (right) boat going wide as Cambridge did, though the Surrey boat is going much wider than Oxford is reported to have done in 1874.


Oxford took a more direct line towards the Surrey side of the second arch, gaining on Cambridge. Then Oxford had the best of the water beyond the bridge.
The rising wind and moored boats now began to play a part in the race. The boats full of spectators caused Oxford to move further out into rougher water, but at the same time offered some shelter from the wind. Cambridge further out in the stream, had water coming over the boat and almost stopped in some of the gusts.
As a result Oxford went into a ½ length lead. But once Cambridge reached the Middlesex bank after the crossing they had a clear advantage because numerous steamers were moored along this bank and provided smoother water for the inside crew, which was now Cambridge. Oxford were looking ragged and Cambridge, looking cleaner and sharper, came past them. Despite Oxford's efforts the Cambridge lead continued to increase and they won by 3½ lengths.



Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1874
H W Benson, 11. 0
J S Sinclair, 11. 5½
W E Sherwood, 11. 8
A R Harding 11. 1½
J Williams, 13. 0½
A W Nicholson, 12.10
H J Stayner, 11.10½
J P Way, 10. 9
W F A Lambert, 7. 2

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1874
P J Hibbert, 11. 1½
G F Armytage, 11. 8
James B Close, 11. 0½
A S Estcourt, 11.10½
W C Lecky-Browne, 12. 5
J A Aylmer, 12.11
C S Read, 12.11½
H E Rhodes, 11. 7
C H Candy, 7. 5

Swivel Rowlock

1875: U.S. professional oarsman Michael Davis patented the swivel oarlock -

The swivel rowlock caught on quickly in North America, but was slower to find a following in England. It wasn't until 1905, after the Belgians carried off a number of Henley pots while using swivels, did the British fully accept the device. Still, the fixed-pin rowlocks continued to be used in England where Leander Club won the Grand Challenge Cup in 1949 with fixed-pin rowlocks.


32: 1875, Saturday, 20th March

In 1875 OXFORD WON by 10 lengths. Time 22 minutes and 2 seconds. Oxford 17, Cambridge 15

In the cycle of changes in style it was Oxford's turn to produce the better, steadier, lower rating crew.
The weather was bitterly cold with a really unpleasant north-west wind kicking up a nasty slop along the Putney Reach against quite a reasonable tide. Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex. As befitted the higher rating crew they took an immediate lead. But Oxford slowly got into their stride and gradually overhauled Cambridge, coming level with them by shortly after the Crabtree.
From here on Oxford took charge of the race and it became a procession. At no stage did Oxford look out of control with their steady long style and it did not seem likely that Cambridge would produce a problem for them.


1875: OXFORD LEADING ALONG CORNEY REACH - A SKETCH FROM THE PRESS BOAT

The only real difficulty for Oxford came along Corney Reach and as they approached Barnes Bridge for a group of barges and a steamer carrying spectators obstructed their path badly and both crews had to take evasive action in order to get round them.
Oxford won by 10 lengths.

A Cambridge slide may have been damaged before Hammersmith Bridge.


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1875
H McD Courtney, 10.12
H P Marriott, 11.12
J E Bankes, 11.11
A M Mitchison, 12.12
H J Stayner, 12. 2
J M Boustead, 12. 4
T C Edwards-Moss, 12. 5
J P Way, 10.11
E O Hopwood, 8. 3

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1875
P J Hibbert, 11. 3
W B Close, 11.10
G C Dicker, 11. 8
W G Michell, 11.11
E A Phillips, 12. 4
J A Aylmer, 12.10
C W Benson, 11. 3
H E Rhodes, 11. 7
G L Davis, 6.10


1870s: THE FOUL - A COXSWAIN'S NIGHTMARE ON THE EVE OF THE UNIVERSITY BOATRACE
"For whatsoever we perpetrate we do but row, we're steered by fate" Hudibras
[ The above comes from the 1870s and I have placed it here because I think I can read "1876" on the stern of the barge. See also boatrace 2003 ]

33: 1876, Saturday, 8th April

In 1876 CAMBRIDGE WON by 5 lengths. Time 20 minutes and 20 seconds. Oxford 17, Cambridge 16

Oxford had six of the winning 1875 crew available, and made a mess of it. They stroked their boat from bow side with a stroke who would have made a great 7 but was not much of a stroke! Meanwhile at 7 (on stroke side) rowed one of their best strokes (who was to stroke them in 1877, 1878 and 1879! He rowed 2 in 1875
It is fascinating how some coaches get hold of a mantra and persevere with it despite all common sense and evidence to the contrary. (Sometimes of course they are right!)

Cambridge had to start afresh - but it went well.

The weather was bright and sunny with a good tide, slackening by the start of the race. The wind was a moderate south-west. Oxford won the toss and chose Middlesex.

There is a comment that the Surrey stake boat was full in the tide and that Middlesex were in the slack water under the Fulham Wall. It might have explained the start ...
Cambridge started well but Oxford hesitated and Cambridge went into the lead never to lose it again.

Cambridge had a slower steadier and longer stroke, but Oxford were reported as 'irregular'. At Hammersmith Bridge Cambridge led by a good 1½ lengths. At Chiswick Eyot the lead was three lengths and more at Barnes Bridge.

The finish is recorded in one of the contemporary newspapers:

A last despairing effort from the dark blues died out before they breasted the White Hart, whence they merely paddled in, hopelessly beaten and eased off at the Ship, their coxswain having seemingly forgotten that the actual winning post was stationed some 150 yd. further up, to compensate for the difference between the aqueduct and the starting place.
Cambridge on seeing the others stop, also eased up, quite eight lengths ahead, and drifted past the flag post thereby giving the time-keepers some trouble; but according to our estimate, which was taken from the report of the gun, the whole distance was accomplished in 20 minutes 19 seconds [20 seconds in the official record]

Cambridge won Easily.


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1876
H McD Courtney, 10.12
F R Mercer, 11. 6
W H Hobart, 11.11
A M Mitchison, 13. 0
J M Boustead, 12. 6
H J Stayner, 12. 2
H P Marriott, 11. 9
T C Edwards-Moss, 12. 3
W D Craven, 7. 6

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1876
P W Brancker, 11. 3
T W Lewis, 11. 8
W B Close, 11.10
C Gurdon, 12. 9
L G Pike, 12. 9
T E Hockin, 11.13
H E Rhodes, 11.13
C D Shafto, 11. 9
G L Davis, 6.13

34: 1877, Saturday, 24th March

In 1877 DEAD HEAT. Time 24 minutes and 8 seconds. Oxford 17, Cambridge 16

Cambridge were initially favourites, though their boat stability was suspect in a wind. Oxford were thought not to have mastered the sliding seat as well, but had the better rhythm and timing.


Oxford in practice on the Isis, 1877


Cambridge in practice at Putney, 1877

Boat race at Putney Aqueduct 1877
Boat race at Putney Aqueduct 1877

The wind was west-north-west which produces very rough water in the Putney Reach and with this in mind Cambridge fitted a false keel which delayed the start and lost the best of the tide.

Oxford won the toss and led at first.


1877 at the boat houses

Then Cambridge came back and were just ahead at Hammersmith Bridge.


1877 at Hammersmith Bridge


1877 at Hammersmith Bridge


1877: Danger Ahead!

Cambridge did not cope well with the rough water in Chiswick Reach and Oxford took back the lead and were just clear at Barnes Bridge.


1877 at Barnes Bridge

But then in very rough water the Oxford bow caught the top of a wave and his blade was badly damaged. Cambridge now came up on Oxford at a steady rate and, according to the record, were level with their rivals as they crossed the finish.

However 'the record' was a little suspect. The finish judge was the Leander boatman, 'Honest John Phelps' who was somewhere on what he reckoned might have been the finishing line. (It was not marked by posts as yet). He was not helped by many spectators in boats around him. He is quoted as giving his verdict as -

Dead-heat to Oxford by five feet

Honest John Phelps
1877 Finish Judge, 'Honest John Phelps', boatman to the Leander Club

Dead heat 1877
Dead Heat 1877


Dead heat 1877
Dead Heat 1877

Both the above pictures show part of the problem of judging perspective. Though of course this is what a finishing line is for!
All credit to Oxford they did not argue with the dead heat verdict. The umpire is always right (even when he is wrong). Oxford may have even been somewhat relieved given that Cambridge were catching them at the time (perhaps due to the damaged blade).
As the oarsmen travel towards the bows on sliding seats they cause the boat to decelerate (as well as causing it to accelerate by the effort of the stroke). When they return towards the stern they cause the boat to accelerate. The lighter the boat the more this effect is obvious. A modern VIII may well weigh less than a fifth of the weight of its crew. At a finish line the crew approaching front stops during the recovery will have a significant advantage over a boat just completing its stroke. If the crews are 180° out of phase, when two boats are on average level the actual lead may change with each half stroke.
So all this is to say that what Honest John may have been honestly saying was that at that particular moment Oxford were five feet ahead, but that in his opinion the average positions of the boats were equal.
This is all of course just a guess - and in any case the rules are quite clear: the first bows over the line counts. John Phelps was questioned as to what he meant -

For answer he placed the two palms of his hands together, and, moving them slightly backwards and forwards, said, “They were going like this, sir; I couldn’t separate them.”

OXFORD ROWING-

It seems hardly credible that this year, and for several years before, there was actually no definite winning-post for the race. Phelps used to go down in a boat as judge, and fire a gun when the first boat passed him, and that ended the race, but there was no definite line by which a close-rowed race could be judged.

The fact was that there was a general impression that ' the race was always over at Barnes Bridge,' and so things had been allowed to drift on in a haphazard fashion. So strong was the feeling that the finish could never be a very close one. that a story was told at the time of the race that one of the crew overnight laid a wager of a hundred pounds to a shilling against there being a dead heat, declaring that such a thing was impossible. The odds were long, and were taken, but the money was never claimed.


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1877
D J Cowles, 11. 3½
J M Boustead,12. 8
H Pelham, 12. 7
W H Grenfell, 12. 8
H J Stayner, 12. 6¼
A J Mulholland, 12. 5¾
T C Edwards-Moss, 12. 0
H P Marriott, 12. 0
F M Beaumont, 7. 0

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1877
G G Hoskyns, 10.11
T G Lewis, 11. 9
J C Fenn, 11. 7
W B Close, 11. 9½
L G Pike, 12. 8
C Gurdon, 12. 13
T E Hockin, 12.11
C D Shafto, 12. 0
G L Davis, 7. 2

W H Grenfell who rowed 4 for Oxford, became Lord Desborough, who organised the 1908 Olympic Games in London (with rowing at Henley). He was also a Henley Steward. The Desborough Cut is named after him.


1877 Oxford Crew

1877 Cambridge Crew

1878: From: 'Putney', Old and New London -

We must now retrace our steps down Putney Hill, and through the village to the river-side. Here we meet with a few old-fashioned brick dwelling-houses, together with sheds for boat-building, boat-clubs, and boating-houses; for Putney has long been the head-quarters for aquatic matches on the Thames.
The day of the annual boat-race between the rival crews of the Oxford and Cambridge Universities, which takes place generally in March or April, has been for many years—indeed, almost without intermission since 1836—a red-letter day in the annals of Putney.
For many days prior to the race one or other of the rival crews, while undergoing their preparatory trials and "coaching," take up their abode at the "Star and Garter," a comfortable hostelry overlooking the Thames, or in the private houses in the neighbourhood.
And the day of the race itself is looked forward to, not only by the inhabitants of the village, but by the public at large, with almost as much interest as is felt concerning the fate of the "blue ribbon of the turf" when the "Derby" is run for on Epsom Downs.
In 1829, the first year of the race, the contest took place at Henley, when Oxford was proclaimed the winner. In 1836, 1839, 1840, and 1841, the course was from Westminster to Putney, Cambridge on each occasion proving the victors. In the following year the Oxford crew came in first, the race being rowed over the same course. From 1845 to 1847 the river between Putney and Mortlake was the scene of the race, Cambridge on each occasion carrying off the honours. In 1849, 1852, and 1854 the Oxford crew were the winners; but in 1856 the Cantabs once more were hailed as the victors. From 1857 to 1860 each year's race was won alternately by the respective crews; but from 1861 to 1869 Oxford came in first on each occasion. The tables were turned, however, in the following year, when Cambridge won the race, and this they succeeded in doing on every subsequent occassion down to 1874. In 1875 and 1876 the race was won alternately by Oxford and Cambridge; but in 1877 the judges decided that the race was a "dead heat."
Putney is the starting-point of the race, and Mortlake its goal, and the course is about four miles and a half. The time occupied in the race has varied from about twenty-one to twenty five minutes. Formerly the race was sometimes rowed from Putney to Mortlake, and at others the reverse way; but of late years the starting-point has always been near the ugly iron aqueduct of the Chelsea Water-works Company, just above Putney Bridge.
On the day of the race the usually quiet village of Putney puts on a festive appearance, the place is gay with banners, &c., and many of the inhabitants, no doubt, reap a rich harvest for the time being.
All along the banks of the river, up to the winning-post by the "Ship" at Mortlake, the pathways and buildings commanding a view of the race are crowded with excited spectators, who watch with eager interest the animated scene which presents itself.


35: 1878, Saturday, 13th April

In 1878 OXFORD WON by 10 lengths. Time 22 minutes and 15 seconds. Oxford 18, Cambridge 16

Oxford started with a good crew from 1878 and overcame the problems they had had with adapting to sliding seats. Oxford had -

a long swing back, a firm finish and were very clean on the feather

Cambridge were reported not to have the quality of Oxford.

On Boat Race day there was a slack tide and a strong south west wind. Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey.
Cambridge led at the start with a faster rating and in the first minute gained nearly half a length. Cambridge continued to lead round the Fulham bend, and were still ahead as they passed the mile tree but then Oxford began moving up on them and took the lead.
By Hammersmith Oxford led by four lengths and the race was clearly over.
Oxford continued to row with the good long steady stroke over the rest of the course and although the Cambridge kept trying, Oxford was too strong for them and moved steadily ahead all the way along the Chiswick Reach.
Both crews faced a headwind and choppy water which Oxford handled best and they continued to move ahead and won easily by forty seconds.


Boat Race 1878


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1878
W A Ellison, 10.13
D J Cowles, 11. 4¾
H B Southwell, 12. 8½
W H Grenfell, 12.10½
H Pelham, 12.11
G F Burgess, 13. 3½
T C Edwards-Moss, 12. 3
H P Marriott, 12. 2½
F M Beaumont, 7. 0½

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1878
Ll R Jones, 10. 9
J A Watson-Taylor, 11. 9¾
T W Barker, 12. 6
R J Spurrell, 11.13½
L G Pike, 12. 8½
C Gurdon, 12.10½
T E Hockin, 12. 4½
E H Prest, 10.12¾
G L Davis, 7. 5

36: 1879, Saturday, 5th April

In 1879 CAMBRIDGE WON by 3 lengths. Time 21 minutes and 18 seconds. Oxford 18, Cambridge 17

Both crews had problems in choosing their oarsmen.

The tide was not strong and there was a fresh south-west wind. Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey.

Boatrace start 1879
1879 Boatrace Start

Oxford nearest us on the Surrey Station. That looks more like a South East wind to me!

But Cambridge started well and took a good lead, rating lower than Oxford.
At Hammersmith Cambridge were three lengths up. Cambridge found the rough water of Corney Reach difficult and Oxford narrowed the gap, but failed to catch them and Cambridge won by 3 lengths.


Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
OXFORD 1879
J H T Wharton, 11. 4
H M Robinson, 11. 1
H W Disney, 12. 5½
H B Southwell, 12. 9
T C Burrowes, 12. 9
G D Rowe, 11.12
W H Hobart, 11.11
H P Marriott, 12. 3
F M Beaumont, 7. 5

Bow
2
3
4
5
6
7
Stroke
Cox
CAMBRIDGE 1879
E H Prest, 11. 2
H Sandford, 11. 6¾
A H S Bird, 11. 8
C Gurdon, 13. 0½
T E Hockin, 12. 4¼
C Fairbairn, 12. 7½
T Routledge, 12. 7½
R D Davis, 12. 4½
G L Davis, 7. 7

Cambridge watch the opposition -


Cambridge watch the opposition training in 1879


Click for Hammersmith Bridge  
 
 
 
Boat race in 1880s