1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
BOAT RACE 1890 - 1899
Nineteenth Century Broadsheet Song. (Barry Duncan):
Now if you'll listen unto me, Doodah, Doodah,
I'll tell you of a jolly spree. Diddledum doo dah do.
It's about the boat race you must know. Doodah, doodah.
It's so nice to see them row. Diddle dum doo dah da.
The crews they nobly tried
Each other they will face.
Oh won't they puff an blow, my boys
To win the great boat race
Oh won't it be a glorious sight ...
They'll pull away with all their might, ...
Finer crews there never could be ...
Their whopping muscles you can see. ...
...
Such pushing and squeezing, oh goodness me, ...
Between the chaps and girls you can see ...
To see the race they all are bent ...
And won't there be some money spent. ...
...
Before the boys begin to row, ...
They'll take a stroke with their oars you know. ...
In their pretty dresses of coloured cotton ...
Don't they fit tight from top to bottom. ...
...
There's Poll and Jane as they row past ....
Looking through their opera glass ...
Says Jane to Poll, "Oh goodness me ...
One has burst his breeches and I can see diddle dum doo dah da."
...
Bob Snooks on the river he did go. ...
To see the race and have a blow, ...
He lost his scull, 'least so he said, ...
He used his stick you know instead. ...
...
Says old Mrs Brown, "Oh what a sin ...
If some young scamp ain't stuck a pin ...
I wish I'd never come, I'm sure ...
I shall never be able to sit down any more. ..."
...
There was big Bill Smith, the sly young fellow, ...
He was poking the girls with his umbrella, ...
But they only laughed, I do declare ...
And say, "Be quiet, or you'll rumple my hair. ..."
...
When race it is done, ...
Oh won't there be some jolly fun, ...
As home the chaps and girls they go ...
They'll wind up with a game or two ...
...
Oxford University v Cambridge University
Map
Map taken from George Drinkwater's "The Boat Race"
1889: The great W.H.Grenfell, who rowed three times for Oxford
and was President of the O.U.B.C. in 1879, wrote an article for the English Illustrated Magazine
on ROWING AT OXFORD.
It is too long to be quoted in full on this page and so I have placed it on a page of its own.
Interestingly that same edition contained ROWING AT CAMBRIDGE by no less a figure than R.C.Lehmann - so I will
include that for contrast (when I have time!)
47 Wednesday, 26th March, 1890:
In 1890 OXFORD WON by 1 length. Time 22 minutes and 3 seconds. Oxford 24, Cambridge 22
In the correspondence between the University Boat Club Presidents
to set the details for the 1890 race, the date became a sticking point,
flashing over when Guy Nickalls [of Oxford] wrote
that Cambridge wanted to get the best of everything
because they were a poorer lot than usual.
Less than tactful stuff from Oxford who had just lost in 1886, 1887, 1888 and 1889!
To celebrate this Inter-University Incident, Rudy Lehmann, [of Cambridge]
who at various times coached both Nickalls and Muttlebury,
penned thirty-two stanzas for Granta, the year-old Cambridge magazine
that Lehmann edited and co-founded. (Muttle wrote its initial Rowing Notes.)
First, for the February 1 issue -
THE QUARREL: 'A POORER LOT THAN USUAL'
Strew your heads with dust and ashes, O ye sons of sedgy Cam;
Let your speech be meek and humble as the baa of bleating lamb;
Let your bloods go robed in sackcloth and be careless of their boots,--
Youre 'a poorer lot than usual', rather lower than the brutes.
Fiery Nickalls wrote the latter, - fiery Nickalls, fine and large, -
And his frenzied eye flashed fury as he sat within his barge.
Long enough have we submitted; now the time has come to strike;
Shall 'a poorer lot than usual' settle all things as they like?
"I, the winner of the Wingfields, of the Diamonds winner too,
Who at stroke, or six, or seven am the mainstay of the crew;
I, whom friends call Guy or Luney," - it was thus the chieftain spoke, -
"Of 'a poorer lot than usual' will not tamely bear the yoke.
Nay, my brothers of the Isis, let us write to them and say
They shall trample us no longer in the old familiar way;
And the banner of our Boat Club, as it flutters in its pride,
By 'a poorer lot than usual' shall no longer be defied."
So he wrote it, and he signed it in the Presidential chair,
And he folded and addressed it, and he posted it with care;
And the heedless postman bore it, little recking of the frown
Of 'a poorer lot than usual' who reside in Cambridge town.
. . . .
THE LETTER FROM OXFORD IS RECEIVED BY THE CAMBRIDGE BOATCLUB CAPTAINS
And they sat in solemn conclave, there within the panelled hall,
Where the golden names of oarsmen gleam and glitter on the wall;
Mighty Muttle read the letter, lord and master of the crew,
In 'a poorer lot than usual' of socks and shorts and shoes.
Then they looked at one another as they heard it with dismay,
And one said, "This is awful!" and another, "Let us pray!";
Till at last one rose and murmured, and his fingers, as he rose,
Were - ('a poorer lot than usual'!) extended from his nose.
"Thus", he said, "I answer Nickalls of the boast so loud and big;
Let him mount, and, if he likes it, ride to Putney on a pig.
Let him go to Bath or blazes, go to Jericho and back,
Or - ('a poorer lot than usual'!) - place his head within a sack.
"But when next he writes to Cambridge let him try another plan;
Manners cost no more than twopence, and tis manners makyth man.
And, O Muttle! if you meet him, tell him plainly face to face
That 'a poorer lot than usual' mean to beat him in the race."
But the name calling had to stop. Nickalls and Rowe had to go to Cambridge to make peace, cemented at a banquet in their honour:
THE RECONCILIATION, OXFORD IN CAMBRIDGE
Oh! sadly flows the Isis, full sadly go the crews,
And the Blue-aspiring oarsmen all have yielded to the blues,
Through hall and quad and college sweeps the universal moan, -
"Give Guy and Reggie back to us; we cannot row alone."
To Iffley drift the 'toggers', as slow as any hearse;
For while the men forget their form the coach forgets to curse;
And bow, who screws most painfully, forgets to murmur "Blank",
As the cox forgets his rudder-strings and runs into the bank.
. . . .
But Guy has hastened Camward; he leaves them to their sighs,
And Reggie Rowe goes with him, curly Reggie of the eyes -
Reggie the slim and supple, the pride of all the Eight,
Who never left his bed too soon, and never yet rowed late.
See how our Muttle greets them; his childlike smile is bland,
That heathen Cantab, Muttle, - as he shakes them by the hand:
"Now, welcome both to Cambridge; first lunch and then away
To watch 'the poorer ...' Hem! I mean the crew at work to-day."
. . . .
Muttle at six is 'stylish', so at least the Field reports;
No man has ever worn, I trow, so short a pair of shorts.
His blade sweeps through the water, as he swings his 13.10,
And pulls it all, and more than all, that brawny king of men.
. . . .
And, now the work is over, the rival chieftains sit
And talk of friendly nothings in their armchairs at the Pitt;
And yet methought I marked a shade of sadness on the face
Of Nickalls, as he thought upon the coming Putney race.
But oh! that merry evening - the clash of knives and forks,
The sparkle of the wineglass, and the popping of the corks;
And the walls and rafters echoed and re-echoed to our cry,
As we drained our brimming bumpers to Reggie and to Guy.
So heres a health to Oxford men; there came a storm of late,
But our sturdy friendship weathered it, nor foundered on a date;
And, when the furious race is past, again well meet and dine,
And drink a cup of kindness yet for days of auld lang syne.
I think Cambridge had the best of that, however unfortunately (from the Cambridge point of view), the actual race went to Oxford. But I have heard such extreme partisan talk that some people do need to study that last verse!
Rudy Lehmann
Cambridge came to the race as slight favourites, more because they were on a winning run than on
current form.
It was warm and sunny, but with a strong west wind which made for some rough water,
particularly after Hammersmith.
Cambridge won the toss and chose Surrey.
Cambridge started at a higher rating but at the Mile Tree Oxford had a one second lead.
Cambridge came back and took a ¼ length lead which they increased to 2 seconds at
Hamersmith Bridge.
Oxford, suffered from the wind above Hammersmith and Cambridge moved to a one length lead.
But then Cambridge hit rough water which reduced their lead to a canvas at Chiswick Steps.
Then Oxford had the advantage of the bend and shelter and came back to lead by nearly a length at
Barnes Bridge, and to win by one length.
The view from Barnes Bridge shows both crews trying to cope in rough conditions.
Oxford, on the right, the Middlesex station are in the lead -
Boatrace 1890 from Barnes Bridge, Oxford on the right, leading.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1890 W F C Holland, 11. 1 P D Tuckett, 11. 2 H E L Puxley, 11. 7 C H St J Hornby, 11. 7 Lord Ampthill, 13. 5 G Nickalls, 12.10 R P P Rowe, 11.10 W A L Fletcher, 13. 0 J P H Heywood-Lonsdale, 8. 0 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1890 G Elin, 10.9 J M Sladen, 11.12 E T Fison, 12. 6½ J F Rowlatt, 11.12 A S Duffield, 12. 9 S D Muttlebury, 13. 9 G Francklyn, 11.12½ J C Gardner, 11.12½ T W Northmore, 7.10½ |
Oliver Arthur Villiers Russell, Lord Ampthill
Three times president of Oxford
Electric Boats at the Boatrace.
Electric launches are now an indispensable feature of any nautical gathering on the Thames,
and at the Oxford and Cambridge boatrace on Wednesday the electric boats were, after the race itself,
one of the most noticeable features.
Messrs. Immisch had several large launches, among which the "Alpha," of the Daily Graphic, was conspicuous.
One of Messrs. Immisch's charging stations was moored along the reaches.
Mr. Sargent had several small electric pleasure-boats which flitted silently about among the throng,
or rung the warning electric bell as they turned.
The interest created in these boats is evidence of the correctness of the views of the manufacturers
as to their popularity in the coming season.
There is a photo by Taunt, purporting to be of the 1890 Boat-race at Barnes Bridge, but unfortunately the wrong crew is leading - so obviously there is some mistake there
48: Saturday, 21st March, 1891:
In 1891 OXFORD WON by ½ length. Time 21 minutes and 48 seconds. Oxford 25, Cambridge 22
Both Cambridge and Oxford had potentially fast crews.
The race was held on a dark and dismal morning with a slack tide and a bitter northerly wind.
Oxford won the toss and chose Middlesex.
Cambridge rated 38 and Oxford 36. Oxford took a lead of a few feet, but by Craven Steps were still
only ¼ length up. At the Mile Tree Oxford led by 1 second.
Cambridge now coped better with rough conditions
and by Hammersmith Bridge led Oxford by one second.
The lead changed hands several times and, at Chiswick Steps, Cambridge led by one second.
At the Crossing the crews were level.
Oxford with the bend in their favour then went ahead and were two seconds ahead at Barnes Bridge.
Cambridge kept pushing and Oxford just held on to win by one second.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1891 W M Poole, 10. 7½ R P P Rowe, 11.11 V Nickalls, 12. 9 G Nickalls, 12. 5 F Wilkinson, 13. 8 Lord Ampthill, 13. 5 W A L Fletcher, 13. 2 C W Kent, 10.11 J P H Heywood-Lonsdale, 8. 0 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1870 J W Noble, 11. 5¾ E W Lord, 10.10¼ G Francklyn, 12. 3 E T Fison, 12. 7½ W Landale, 12.11 J F Rowlatt, 11.12 C T Fogg-Elliot, 11. 4 G Elin, 10.13 J V Braddon, 7.12 |
William Alfred Littledale Fletcher
Oxford president and Stroke
Boat-race at Barnes Bridge, 1891
49: Saturday, 9th April, 1892
In 1892 OXFORD WON by 2¼ lengths. Time 19 minutes and 10 seconds. Oxford 26, Cambridge 22
Oxford had a fine crew. Cambridge were dogged by ill health but came together towards the end.
Conditions were good for the race with a strong tide.
Oxford won the toss and chose Middlesex.
Oxford took an immediate lead which they opened
to ½ length at the Mile Post. By Hammersmith Bridge Oxford led by only two seconds.
Elin, the Cambridge Stroke may have had slide problems after the bridge. Whatever the fact
Oxford still maintained and increased their lead around the outside of the bend to lead by 1½ lengths
at Chiswick Steps and 10 seconds at Barnes Bridge.
Oxford then dropped their rating and went on to win by 2¼ lengths in a record time.
The record only lasted 12 months.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1892 H B Cotton, 9.12 J A Ford, 11.11 W A S Hewett, 12. 2 F E Robeson, 13. 7½ V Nickalls, 13. 2 W A L Fletcher, 13. 8 R P P Rowe, 12. 0 C M Pitman, 11.12½ J P H Heywood-Lonsdale, 8. 7 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1892 E W Lord, 10.12 R G Neill, 11.11 G Francklyn, 12. 3 E T Fison, 12. 6½ W Landale, 13. 1 G C Kerr, 12. 1 C T Fogg-Elliot, 11. 8½ G Elin, 10.10 J V Braddon |
Charles Murray Pitman, Oxford Stroke
50: Wednesday, 22nd March, 1893
The Fiftieth Race, 64 years after the first race in 1829
In 1893 OXFORD WON by 1 length and 4 feet. Time 18 minutes and 47 seconds. Oxford 27, Cambridge 22
Oxford were favourites. Cambridge were competitive by the time they reached the tideway.
For the 1893 Boat Race, O.U.B.C. President W.A.L. Fletcher needed a No. 7.
He gave one man a long trial, only to find him physically unfit and forbidden to row by the doctors.
When he filled the hole with C.M. Pitman, his preferred stroke, new medical problems sprouted:
Vivian Nickalls went ill and Fletcher himself got a strain.
Training suffered, which showed in the race as W.B. Woodgate noted in Vanity Fair (March 25, 1893):
The rowing of Oxford was very good in style. The men did not seem to last so well as their style would presuppose. Some of them had been seedy, and work had been shut off; no long rows for fourteen days. The effect of this was that some of them, especially those who had not been invalids, were decidedly gross and overweight, making them short of wind. Nos. 3 and 4, for instance, had put on flesh like prize cattle, and seemed to be blowing badly. No blame to them; healthy men naturally put on flesh when work is light, and in an eight some often get too little work, while others get too much.
Almanack, 1893, Joseph Whittaker -
The Oxford and Cambridge crews, instead of making a few days' stoppage somewhere in the upper Thames
before coming to Putney, arrived at their Metropolitan headquarters straight from the home waters on March 1st.
On the strength of the previous year's victory, combined with the fact that Oxford had five old Blues available,
including their victorious stroke, Pitman, the chances of the Dark Blues against Cambridge with a new stroke,
and only two old hands, had been generally considered most favourable.
Directly they both appeared on the Thames, these impressions were found to be correct.
All the trials in practice proved the superiority of the style and weight in the Oxford boat,
their new stroke, Pilkington, an Eton freshman, rowing splendidly, and on the day of the race,
Oxford, with 3 to 1 laid freely on their chance, won easily by a little more than a length,
in the fastest time on record, 18 min 47 sec.
Although the victory was easily gained at the finish, Cambridge managed to virtually hold their opponents
(the latter never being clear) up to Chiswick Church, where weight, style and condition told.
Up to Chiswick it was indeed anybody's race.
Starting at 4.35 with a spring tide and a light easterly breeze,
Cambridge won the toss and chose Surrey. Cambridge went into a lead of a few feet in the
first minute however by the mile Oxford had a lead of 1 length.
Cambridge came back at them and reduced that lead to 1 second at Hammersmith
Bridge. Further on the crews became level.
However Cambridge were rating higher throughout and began to tire.
Oxford led by 2 seconds at Chiswick Steps and 8 seconds at Barnes Bridge.
The original Barnes Railway Bridge of 1848 was no longer able to carry the traffic
and it was being extended in 1893. Effectively an extra bridge was being added
downstream. The original bridge had a flat profile and it was the new bridge that added the
characteristic bow string girders that we see today.
1849: Original Barnes Railway Bridge -
The 1849 Barnes Railway Bridge
Barnes Railway Bridge, Henry Taunt, 1890s
© Oxfordshire County Council Photographic Archive; HT7052
Apparently in 1893 a temporary dam had been built to construct the new piers and with the strong tide there were big currents above the bridge. Oxford went into this area of turbulent water and Cambridge gained considerably. At the finish Oxford won by 1¼ lengths in a record time which stood until 1911 (equalled in 1900).
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1893 H B Cotton, 9.12 J A Ford, 11.13 J A Morrison, 12. 4½ H Legge, 12.13½ V Nickalls, 13. 4 W A L Fletcher, 13. 8½ C M Pitman, 12. 0½ M C Pilkington, 11.11 L Portman, 7. 7 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1893 G A H Branson, 10. 9½ R F Bayford, 11. 9 C T Fogg-Elliott, 11.10½ E H M Waller, 12. 5½ L A E Ollivant, 13. 3½ G C Kerr, 12. 6 R O Kerrison, 12. 0 T G E Lewis, 11.12 C T Agar, 7. 5 |
MC Pilkington . . . . . . . . . H Legge . . . . . . . . . . . J A Morrison
C M Pitman . . . . . . V Nickalls . . . . . . J A Ford . . . . . . Portman? . . . . . . W A L Fletcher . . . . . . H B Cotton
Oxford VIII, 1893
Cambridge VIII, 1893
51: Saturday, 17th March, 1894
In 1894 OXFORD WON by 3½ lengths. Time 21 minutes and 39 seconds. Oxford 28, Cambridge 22
The New York Times -
OXFORD AN EASY WINNER
NOT PUSHED IN THE 'VARSITY BOAT RACE WITH CAMBRIDGE.
After a Few Strokes the Oxford Oarsmen Took the Lead and Kept It to the Finish,
Victorious by Three and One-half Lengths - Their Opponents Were Pumped at the Close
and Did Not Cross the Line - A Race Under Most Favorable Conditions.
LONDON, March 17. - The fifty-first race between the crews of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge
since 1829, when the present series began, was rowed this morning, and Oxford won by three and a half
lengths, in 21:39.
The race was rowed over the championship course of four and a half miles, from Putney to Mortlake,
the start being made from moored boats immediately above Putney Bridge and the finish at the Ship
Hotel, at Mortlake.
At an early hour the wide foreshore between the river and the boathouses near Putney Bridge,
the bridge itself, the towpath between Putney and Hammersmith Bridges, Hammersmith Bridge,
the towpath below Barnes Bridge, and the towpath above Barnes Bridge, to the finish
were black with crowds, that were constantly increasing in numbers.
The weather was raw and cold, and a thick fog at Putney threatened to obscure the movements of the
boats from the spectators at the starting point, but with the rising of the sun the fog lifted
and the race was rowed in sunshine.
The water was in superb condition, scarcely rippled by the light, variable northeasterly breeze.
No university race has been rowed in recent years under more favorable[sic] conditions.
Oxford won the toss, and chose the Surrey side of the river. The Cambridge crew, the challengers,
were first to get their boat into the water. No time was lost in getting into position,
and the starting signal, a pistol shot, was given at exactly 9:12 A.M.
On the Start - said to be 1891 - but I reckon that is Cambridge on Middlesex station - so my guess is 1894!
The crews caught the water simultaneously, but the Cambridge's first stroke shoved the nose
of their boat ahead. At the second stroke both boats were abreast. After a few more strokes, however,
Oxford began to draw slowly ahead, and continued to increase her lead.
Oxford was rowing 39 strokes a minute and Cambridge 38.
As they reached the boathouses, Oxford was a quarter of a length ahead, and,
notwithstanding the fact that the bend at that point favored Cambridge,
the latter could not cut down the lead.
Both crews at this point were doing their utmost, and Cambridge made repeated spurts,
but, in spite of the effort, she kept dropping astern.
At Crabtree, which was reached at 9:17, Oxford was half a length ahead.
Heading across the river for the soap works, Oxford had the advantage, and made the most of it.
Hammersmith Bridge, which was reached at 9:23, found Oxford a length and a half in the lead,
with every man apparently strong.
With the race well in hand, barring accidents, Oxford settled into a steady thirty six stroke,
after passing Hammersmith, and Cambridge, unable to stand the strain of a sustained spurt at that time,
pulled the same stroke.
Observing this, Oxford lowered her stroke to 34, but pulled strongly and in excellent form.
The exhaustion of the Cambrdge crew was now apparent.
They rowed with a short splashing stroke, and were palpably incapable of making another spurt.
Reaching Chiswick at 9:27, Oxford was two lengths ahead, Cambridge still splashing.
Oxford here reduced the power of her stroke, and rowed easily and leisurely.
The race had now become a procession, and Cambridge was getting the wash of the Oxford boat.
Barnes Railway Bridge was passed at 9:29, and Cambridge at that point was three lengths behind,
and showed increasing signs of flagging.
From Barnes to the finish at Mortlake, Oxford rowed like a party out for a pleasure trip,
while the Cambridge crew had the appearance of an exhausted boatload of men
endeavoring to get ashore before their boat would sink.
Oxford reached the finish at 9:33:29, three and a half lengths ahead.
The Cambridge men, entirely pumped out, did not cross the finish line.
Ouch!
The New York Times went on to add -
The scenes along the banks and on the river were very much the same as is usual on such occasions.
The river was alive with craft as the boats were started.
As the pistol was fired there was a rousing cheer,
which was taken up by the crowds further down the river and passed along
until everyone was cheering from infection,
while the screeching of the steam whistles of the craft on the river added to the din.
When the boats started, the umpire's boat, a tiny steam launch, followed closely,
and at a fixed distance behind were four paddle steamers abreast.
These were ordinary Thames passenger boats, hired for the occasion.
One steamboat carried the friends and guests of the Cambrige University Boat Club,
another those of the Oxford University Boat Club,
another the friends and guests of the umpire,
and the fourth was the press boat.
Behind these four boats followed a heterogeneous mob of all sorts of floating things
that could get up speed enough to keep the pace.
The Cambridge crew discarded their French-built boat which they used in 1893,
and substituted a boat built by Clasper.
A H Finch, Cambridge's bow man, was in his place, though many believed that his recent illness
would incapacitate him, and as a matter of fact it was announced some time ago that
T B Hope (Trinity Hall) would row in his stead.
The Direct Cable Company achieved another victory over its competitors yesterday in transmitting to the United Press its announcement of the result of the Oxford - Cambridge boat race on the Thames. Ten seconds after the dispatch was filed in London it was signalled to the United Press Office in this city, thus anticipating the announcement by other lines from three to ten minutes.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1894 H B Cotton, 9.13 M C Pilkington, 12. 4 W Burton Stewart, 13. 5 J A Morrison, 12. 5 E G Tew, 13. 7 T H E Stretch, 12. 4 W E Crum, 12. 0 C M Pitman, 12. 0 L Portman, 8. 7 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1894 A H Finch, 11. 0 N W Paine, 11. 1 Sir Charles Ross, 11. 8 H M Bland, 11. 5 L A E Ollivant, 13. 5¾ C T Fogg-Elliot, 11. 8 R O Kerrison, 11.12 T G E Lewis, 11.12 F C Begg, 8. 0 |
|
| |
| "Benje" Hugh Benjamin Cotton President of Oxford 1894 |
"Fogg" Charles Thurston Fogg-Elliot President of Cambridge 1894 | |
52: Saturday, 30th March, 1895
In 1895 OXFORD WON by 2¼ lengths. Time 20 minutes and 50 seconds. Oxford 29, Cambridge 22
Oxford should have been a reasonably fast crew. Cambridge had difficulties. Both were affected
by bad weather curtailing training (in February the Thames was frozen right down to Gravesend)
and then by the 'flu epidemic that swept the country,
hitting the Cambridge crew 3 weeks before the race and then Oxford just one week before race day.
It is thought that between them they were probably the least fit crews ever to compete in a boat race.
And then to crown their problems the race day had nasty conditions. A big tide against a lot of land water
with a fresh south-west wind.
Oxford won the toss and chose Surrey. Cambridge with a higher rating set off into a lead,
but as ever the lower rating longer stroke with more rhythm and power began to tell and Oxford took up
the lead never to lose it.
At the Mile Post, Oxford were almost 1 length up.
At Hammersmith all Cambridge had been able to do was to hold the Oxford lead at that 1 length.
Above Hammersmith in rough water Oxford had the shorter course and more shelter.
Oxford had 2 lengths by Chiswick Steps, and 12 seconds by Barnes Bridge.
Oxford then reduced to a firm paddle and won by 2¼ lengths.
Cambridge had done very well to not allow a bigger gap than that.
Oxford, 12 seconds ahead at Barnes Bridge, 1895
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1895 H B Cotton, 9.13 M C Pilkington, 12. 4 C K Philips, 11.12 T H E Stretch, 12. 4 W Burton Stewart, 13. 7½ C D Burnell, 13. 0½ W E Crum, 12. 2 C M Pitman, 12. 0 C P Serocold, 8. 1 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1895 T B Hope, 10.11 F C Stewart, 12. 1½ H A Game, 12. 2 W S Adie, 13. 2½ T J G Duncanson, 13. 3 R Y Bonsey, 12. 4 A S Bell, 11. 2 D A Wauchope, 11. 9 F C Begg, 8. 9 |
Birt Acres filmed the 1895 race using his Kinetic Lantern - later 'Kineopticon' - later 'Cinematoscope'
Hugh Cotton rowed bow for Oxford - and was reported to be the only man who did not get influenza in race week. However he then had a severe illness of the lungs
which culminated in his death the following October.
Hugh Cotton
Coach Rudie Lehman wrote of him:
Though lost and dead, you die not here;
And, wheresoever men may range
Who once at Oxford held you dear
And called you friend, you know no change:
Still shall we see you stride along,
Smiling and resolute and strong.
We shall grow old, but you abide
In all our hearts as staunch and true
And young as when on Thamess tide
You gripped your oar and won your Blue --
But hush! I hear the passing bell,
Oh dearest friend, farewell, farewell
53: Saturday, 28th March, 1896
In 1896 OXFORD WON by 2/5 length. Time 20 minutes and 1 second. Oxford 30, Cambridge 22
Both crews had good potential.
Unfortunately the weather was not kind for the Race, which it was hoped would be a good one with two
crews of almost equal ability. Although there was a strong tide and below average land water flow,
there was a strong wind from the north-west, which carried in with it frequent icy cold showers.
Of greater importance it kicked up an unpleasant slop along the Putney Reach although, luckily,
the wind was not strong enough to create the full sinking conditions for which it was famous.
Cambridge won the toss and naturally chose Surrey.
Newspaper account -
It was a good start with both crews striking 37 in the first minute. Oxford went into a temporary
lead but all the way along the boathouse reach there was only a matter of inches in it. By Craven
Steps, Cambridge had a lead of about a third of a length but by the Mile post (4.08) Oxford had
drawn back and were now ahead by one second.
The side by side battle continued all the way up
Crabtree Reach and at Hammersmith Bridge (7.45) the Light Blues had recovered the lead which at
this stage was 2 seconds. With the bend in their favour Cambridge maintained their advantage all
the way to Chiswick Steps which they passed in 12 minutes 30 seconds, but now their lead had
dropped to just one second.
Still the side by side race continued and despite the fact that
Oxford now had the advantage of the bend as they went along Dukes Meadows, Cambridge had
increased their lead to 3 seconds and for the first time over more than 3 miles they had almost
broken away.and gained a lead exceeding a length.
But it was not to be, Over the last three minutes
of the race, Oxford picked it up again and with better watermanship in the rough water managed to
row through their rivals to win by one second in twenty minutes and one second with the waves
breaking over both boats (judged as two fifths of a length). This was a remarkable race in awful
conditions and a great credit to both crews.
Rudie Lehmann in "The Complete Oarsman" includes this race in his list of three races WON AFTER BARNES BRIDGE -
The race of [ 1896 ] was in its main incidents a curiously
exact repetition of [ 1886 ]. Both
crews were strong and heavy, and displayed a high average of
joint style and merit.
The water in the first reach and,
indeed, all the way to Chiswick was very rough. The Surrey
station, in which Cambridge rowed, had, on account of the wind,
a more than ordinary advantage.
With regard to the merits
of the two crews, I cannot do better than quote the words of
Mr. W. B. Woodgate written at the time.
The wind and water were enough to knock most crews out of form in half a
mile; and yet, in the two crews, style was maintained to the
end no going to pieces, no rowing short.
In the last minute Cambridge were twice buried in spray from rollers which
struck the after stroke-side rowlocks, and which smothered
the looms of the oars on that side to an extent to check
recovery for the instant.
Except for this, the losers, as well
as the winners, might have been paddling on parade from
the start, so far as level action was concerned.
The Oxford stroke was voted and published short as compared to
that of Cambridge. Yet, in the race, this so-called 'shorter'
stroke held its own from the outside station in the worst of
the wind ; doing some one and a half (average of) strokes per
minute fewer than the Cambridge men did during the first
two-thirds of the course.
This fact shows that eyesight was
at fault when it measured the Oxford reach as the shorter of
the two not that Cambridge were short: far from it.
Why the Oxford stroke had more propelling power, stroke for
stroke, than that of Cambridge seems to be this : Oxford had
rather more grip of the 'beginning'; Cambridge rather 'felt' the water
before they threw their full force on to the
oar. On the other hand, Oxford had more of a 'drive' at
the instant of catching the water, and so got well hold of the
boat before she began to slip away.
If a light boat is not
caught sharp at the beginning of the stroke, much of her
resistance is distributed, thereby lessening the effect of the
stroke. Slow burning powders are well enough for heavy
missiles ; for pellets a quick propulsion is needed.
I [Rudie Lehmann] had coached the Oxford crew during their practice at
Putney, and I saw the race from the Umpire's launch. I
prefer, however, to give a description of it which is contained
in a letter written by the late Ernest Balfour, who rowed No.
5 in the winning Oxford crew. The letter has been printed
in a little "Life of Ernest Balfour," written by the Bishop of
Stepney, by whose kind permission I am enabled to reproduce
it here.
Magnolia Cottage, Shaldon. April 3, 1896.
Now I must tell yon all about the race. ... On Friday
night Fred came and sang to us, which made it very jolly,
and we didn't ponder too much on the morrow after all. On
Saturday morning we breakfasted a quarter of an hour earlier
than usual, and went out for our preliminary row at about
ten o'clock.
The morning was nice and fine, but a little gusty. We
went particularly well in our morning row, and pleased our
coaches very much. We went back to the house in hansoms,
and sat down for a chop and some jelly and a glass of port
wine at eleven o'clock. ...
Meanwhile the nice weather of the morning had gone,
and rain was descending in torrents, and a strong wind was
blowing from the west, so our chances just then did not look
very rosy, as we were supposed to be such a bad crew in
rough water; however, we had a good deal of secret
confidence in ourselves. When we got to the river, I said
* Good-bye' to Uncle Robert and Fred, who went on to the
Oxford steamer, while I went off to change into shorts and
jersey at the Rowing Club House.
The weather was just as bad as it could well be, the wind blowing right from the
direction in which we were to row, and the river just a sea,
with waves so big that it seemed doubtful whether we
would not sink.
As we were changing, Cram came into the dressing-room
and told us that he had lost the toss ; and the winning of the
toss, we knew, made a tremendous difference to one's chances
on such a day. However, it could not be helped, and
Cambridge of course chose the sheltered Surrey station, and
we had to go, more or less, on the exposed side.
Cambridge got their boat afloat a trifle after the advertised time, and
paddled off to their stake-boat ; and we followed a minute or
two later. The wind had gone down slightly, and it was not
raining so hard. We paddled off to our boat amidst the
cheers of our supporters, and in a few minutes we were ready
to start.
Putney Bridge and both banks of the river were, of
course, black with people, and before starting I was able to
recognise Uncle Robert and Fred and several other friends
on the Oxford boat.
Willan, the umpire, had on board his launch Lehmann
and McLean, our two coaches, and Muttlebury and Trevor-
Jones, the two Cambridge coaches.
Then Willan said, "I shall ask once in a loud voice,
'Are you ready?' and if I get no answer, I shall fire the
pistol". Then we took off our sweaters and caps and scarves,
and got ready. We came forward on our slides, and he asked,
'Are you ready ?' and then came the bang of the pistol, and
we were off!
It was a splendid start, and we were both absolutely
level for the first few hundred yards. The water was pretty
rough, and we could not row a very fast stroke. The moment
we had started there came the most fearful roar on all the
steamers and right along the bank, and it was almost
impossible to hear our cox screaming at us, though he was only a
few feet off.
We went off round Craven Point and up the Crab Tree
Reach very level; but after passing Harrod's Stores we went
out rather too far across the stream, and Cambridge forged
ahead ; and just before Hammersmith Bridge we ran into an
awful storm of hail, which chilled our fingers horribly, and
made it very difficult to hold on to our oars.
We shot Hammersmith about a three-quarter length behind Cambridge,
and a little further on they drew clear of us. All the
way from here right up to the Flag Staff on the Duke of
Devonshire's meadows they had the advantage of the bend,
and were well ahead of us.
We, however, were rowing steadily
on, and were going about two strokes a minute slower than
Cambridge. All the way up here from Hammersmith there
were steam barges and vessels of all sorts which had been
saving up their steam, and as we came into view they set up
a perfectly deafening toot-toot-tooing which nearly cracked
the drums of our ears.
As we came into the straight for
Barnes, we quickened up the stroke, and very gradually began
to lessen the gap between us, until, as we shot Barnes Bridge,
they were not more than a good three-quarters of a length
ahead of us. Well I had heard that only once before had
the boat which was behind at Barnes passed the winning-post
first, so I thought that if we were going to win this race we
had better begin very soon to put on a spurt.
All the way over the course I was able to see Rudie
Lehmann's anxious face fixed on us (he was in the umpire's
launch just astern).
And now began a tremendous struggle.
We were blown, but still felt that we had a lot more left in
us, and Cambridge had been going for all they were worth
for the last mile ; and now Gold quickened the stroke, and
we were quite fit enough to back him up well. We raised
the stroke to thirty-seven, and I could just hear our cox say,
above the awful yelling and cheering along the banks and
everywhere, that we were coming up fast.
We kept up the
fast stroke, and presently we heard our bow, de Knoop,
scream, "I can see their stem", next Three yelled out the
same, and in a few strokes I could see it myself. Then our
cox, who all through had steered magnificently, screamed,
"Now, as hard as you can twenty strokes!" and we proceeded
to 'dig them in'; and Cambridge simply seemed to stand
still, while in twenty strokes we had passed them, and were
half a length ahead.
For the last minute we had come into the most awfully
rough water, and great big waves were breaking into the boat
threatening to swamp her, and our cox adjured us to "feather
high", or we might hit our oars on a wave while coming forward
and catch crabs.
We struggled on to the finish after this, still keeping our
lead, and in another three or four hundred yards we had
passed the winning-post two-fifths of a length ahead.
We were all very done, but not so much so as Cambridge,
and in a very few minutes we were all able to paddle up to
the Rowing Club House and get out of our boat. We
trotted upstairs and got our rub-down, and in a few minutes
our dry clothes were brought from the launch, and the
coaches came on shore and rubbed our hands, which were
very numb.
It was a most extraordinary scene. P and many
old Blues came rushing in, far too hoarse with shouting to
speak, with tears running down their cheeks, and embraced
us all round, and then retired to comers of the room, where
they sobbed out their ecstatic joy on one another's shoulders.
When we had recovered a bit, we lent a hand to the
Cambridge fellows, who had come in meanwhile. I was
never so sorry for any one as for these poor chaps, who
were all as pale as ghosts, having rowed most pluckily.
They were simply frightfully sick as they fully expected to
win by many lengths, and they were hopelessly 'sick,' of
course.
Soon we came out and went on board our launch.
Whenever we were seen coming out, all the steamers started
their toot-tooing again, and every one cheered and shouted
like mad. It was the most extraordinary sight I ever saw.
We went off down the river to the London Rowing Club
House, and were cheered vociferously all the way.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1896 J J J de Knoop, 11. 1½ C K Philips, 12. 5½ E C Sherwood, 12.12 C D Burnell, 13.10 E R Balfour, 13. 6 R Carr, 12. 8½ W E Crum, 12. 3 H G Gold, 11. 5½ H R K Pechell, 7.13½ |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1896 T B Hope, 11. 1 H A Game, 12. 4 D Pennington, 12. 7 R Y Bonsey, 12.10 W A Bieber, 12.12 T J G Duncanson, 13.12 A S Bell, 11.13 W J Fernie, 11.13 T R Paget-Tomlinson, 8. 4½ |
Oxford, 1896
Walter Erskine Crum ("Crumbo")
Oxford president and 7
54: Saturday, 3rd April, 1897
In 1897 OXFORD WON by 2½ lengths. Time 22 minutes and 4 seconds. Oxford 31, Cambridge 22
In the Official Centenary History of the Boat Race (in 1929) the 1897 Oxford crew was described as
the finest Oxford crew that ever rowed. But this was not just the opinion of an Oxfordian for the
history was prepared jointly by G.C.Drinkwater of OUBC and T.R.B.Sanders of CUBC.
Crum was President of Oxford for the second time and he had only one place to fill. Indeed examination
of the 1897 Oxford crew shows names like C.D.Burnell, C/K.Philips and Harcourt Gold in the crew.
They are somewhat surprisingly described as being very rough at first but they improved rapidly
and at the Tideway broke just about all the ebb records, assisted by substantial land water coming
down the river from the floods in the higher reaches.
A.S.Bell was President at Cambridge and had four old Blues still in residence to whom he added
W. Dudley Ward who became a stalwart of Cambridge rowing. In comparison with Oxford the crew looked
sedentary, not least because the catch remained rather slow.
There was a good tide running on the day of the race and although there was an above average land
flow opposing it it still gave fast rowing conditions, assisted by the fact that the moderate
wind was from the east-south-east Cambridge, winning the toss selected Middlesex, presumably
hoping for a good early row from which they could dominate the course and this was confirmed
by the fact that they anticipated the pistol and got almost a stroke start and in the first minute
struck three strokes higher than Oxford and by dint of all these matters went past the boathouses
at least a canvas ahead. But their lead was to be short lived, for Oxford, without increasing
their stroke rate, but with a long sweeping powerful action hauled them back and around the
area of Beverly Brook with both boats rowing side by side, there were a few clashes of blades,
one of the few occasions at this period when such altercations are recorded in the contemporary
accounts. These however were not to last for long because the Dark Blues moved ahead, despite
the clashes and by the Mile Post, reached in 3 minutes 59 seconds, they were one second ahead.
Even though Oxford had drawn up rapidly as they approached the Mile, they could not shake off their
rivals who were hanging on gamely and by dint of some spurts, had brought Oxford back to just
over a canvas as they passed the Crabtree. But now the Dark Blues pushed ahead once again and when
they reached Hammersmith Bridge in 7 minutes 20 seconds, they were almost almost a length up and
rowing well. Now with the bend in their favour Oxford really began to demonstrate their superiority
and despite further spurts by Cambridge, they moved ahead up Chiswick Reach and past the Eyot to
pass Chiswick Steps with a lead of 9 seconds in 11 minutes 31 seconds. Although all the eye
witnesses described the Oxford style as beautiful to watch with its long lean strokes the Light
Blues terrier-like, held on and indeed through the crossing and along the Duke of Devonshires Meadows
and past the bathing place they had taken back a second as Oxford shot Barnes Bridge in
16 minutes exactly, and even more surprisingly considering the praise that was heaped on Oxford,
they took back a further second on the last three minutes of rowing past the Mortlake Brewery,
such that Oxford won by only 7 seconds (officially judged as 2½ lengths) in 19 minutes 12 seconds,
a good but not outstanding time considering the conditions
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1897 J J J de Knoop, 11. 6 G O C Edwards, 12. 1 C K Philips, 12. 0½ C D Burnell, 13. 9 E R Balfour, 13. 8½ R Carr, 12.11½ W E Crum, 12. 3 H G Gold, 11.11 H R K Pechell, 8. 0½ |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1897 D E Campbell-Muir, 11. 5 A S Bell, 12. 1 E J D Taylor, 12.13 B H Howell, 12. 9 W A Bieber, 13. 1 D Pennington, 12. 9 W Dudley Ward, 12. 6 W J Fernie, 11.13 E C Hawkins, 8. 1 |
Harcourt Gilbey Gold
Oxford Stroke, President
55: Saturday, 26th March, 1898
In 1898 OXFORD WON easily. Time 22 minutes and 15 seconds. Oxford 32, Cambridge 22
Oxford had now been successful for no less than 7 years and there was a sense of desperation in
the Cambridge camp. Analysis of the situation suggested that there were plenty of keen oarsmen
in the University in the Fens, but that they had not been able to achieve a rowing style
which provided them with the necessary power to beat their rivals. Help however was at hand for
W.A.L.Fletcher, who had rowed for Oxford at the early stage of their winning run in the 1890s
and had coached them subsequently agreed to come over to coach Cambridge for the President
Dudley Ward. This created havoc in the CUBC and several potential Blues refused to be part of the crew.
This was probably not helped by the fact that on doctors orders Dudley Ward himself had to give
up his seat. But Fletcher could not have worked harder to achieve success if this had been
an Oxford crew and he had the support of two good new oarsmen in R.B.Etherington-Smith at 6
and C.J.D.Goldie Johns son at 7. C.M.Steele was the preferred stroke but he had to withdraw
in the middle of training from illness and A.S.Bell, who had rowed at 2 in 1898 reluctantly
took over the stroke seat. However despite all the difficulties, Fletcher did a great job in
turning out a crew at Putney which was recognised as having a much better style than those of
recent years.
At Oxford there was till plenty of talent including not only R. O. Pitman the latest of a family
line of oarsmen and F.W.Warre the son of the very famous rowing and coaching Headmaster of Eton
who was still one of those who had done more for British rowing, than almost anyone else.
The crew was potentially a good one but they did not develop as much as had been expected during
the training period.
March 26th, Boat Race day was a dreadful one for rowing. There was a good strong tide and very
little land water to oppose it but a blizzard with icy rain blowing from just east of north
which produced a substantial crop of white horses on the Surrey side of the river at Putney,
whereas the Middlesex shore protected that station quite well. This was obviously going to be a
year in which the winning of the toss would be all-important and the luck of the toss
went to Oxford who naturally chose Middlesex.
The stake-boats had been set in their traditional position in mid river and before Cambridge
had taken even half a dozen strokes their boat was half full of water. In the meantime Oxford
had set off promptly for the shelter of the Middlesex shore and although they had shipped a certain
amount of water they were still not in great difficulty. Cambridge did the only possible thing.
They moved over behind Oxford, but by the time that they were in some reasonable shelter their
boat was waterlogged and only held up by the air filled bladders which they had placed under
each seat.
From here on it was not a question of who would win or by how much, but whether Cambridge would
founder and the umpire wisely placed his launch close to Cambridge on the lee side in case this
should happen.
For the record, Oxford reached the Mile Post in 4 minutes 53 seconds despite the fast tide with
Cambridge 9 seconds adrift; Hammersmith Bridge in 9 minutes 15 seconds, 23 seconds ahead,
Chiswick Steps in 13 minutes 53 seconds now in front by no les than 41 seconds and Barnes Bridge
in 18 minutes 32 seconds now 64 seconds clear. The finish was reached by Oxford in 22 minutes 15 seconds
with Cambridge, somewhat surprisingly timed at 22 minutes 59 seconds described in the official record
as easily.
A contemporary newspaper described the fate of the Cambridge cox E. C. Hawkins thus:
The Cambridge boat sank lower and lower until it could be seen that the crew were sliding in water.
As to little Mr Hawkins, if he never sits in a cold tub again he will have had a full-grown
mans lifes share of that alledged luxury. He was sitting in water all the way from Putney to
Mortlake and the part of him that was not exposed to the water was exposed to the coldest and
bitterest of winds and the most biting of gales.
It rained needles, it sleeted stinging nettles
before the course was completed. The weather obliged with a mixture of snow and razors.
Mr Hawkins will remember his journey by water to Mortlake as long as he lives.
If fate should ever take him to Klondyke in winter he will be able to console himself for the
Chilcoot Pass with the reflection that it might be worse in a boat.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1898 R O Pitman, 11. 0 G O C Edwards, 12. 7½ C K Philips, 12. 0½ F W Warre, 12.12 C D Burnell, 14. 0 R Carr, 13. 1 A T Herbert, 12.10½ H G Gold, 11.10½ H R K Pechell, 8. 1 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1898 W B Rennie, 11. 7 J F Beale, 12. 2¾ H G Brown, 13.11¾ S V Pearson, 12. 9¼ A W Swanston, 12.10 R B Etherington-Smith, 12.11¼ C J D Goldie, 12. 0 A S Bell, 12. 2¼ E C Hawkins, 8. 4 |
Oxford 1898
56: Saturday, 25th March, 1899
In 1899 CAMBRIDGE WON by 3 lengths. Time 21 minutes and 4 seconds. Oxford 32, Cambridge 23
The Cambridge crew had to be rebuilt in 1899 for there were only two Blues left from the previous
year, the President R. B. Etherington-Smith and C.J.D.Goldie, son of the famous Cambridge oarsman.
There was however plenty of talent available and it was not difficult for them to establish the
new crew, one that was going to show its best performance in the following year when it had matured.
The star performers were J.H.Gibbon and H Sanderson, the former an excellent stroke and the latter
a powerful though not enormous man who filled the 6 seat. Fletcher, the Oxford Blue and coach who
had come over to coach them in 1898 continued with the task this year too.
Oxford had also lost most of the crew from the previous year though F W Warre was still available
and Harcourt Gold who had been elected President was a good stroke and was to become an excellent
coach for them in future years. They did not progress as well as could be hoped in training and
they came to the Tideway as underdogs.
The tide was a poor one on Race day, but there was little land water to resist it.
And although the wind was from the south-west it was not sufficiently strong to produce any problems.
In these conditions there was no surprise, when Cambridge, who won the toss chose Surrey.
Both crews got off well from the stake boats with Cambridge at 36 under-rating their rivals by
2 strokes, but with greater control and power they moved into a canvas lead as they went along
the boathouse reach only to be pulled back to level terms by Harcourt Gold who continued with the
faster stroke and whose crew members were now giving him better backing. The two crews remained
level at they passed Craven Steps and at the Mile Post (4.00) Oxford had moved into a canvas lead,
assisted by the Fulham bend.
The battle continued side by side up Crabtree Reach, but as Harrods got closer, it became obvious
that Cambridge were slowly but steadily moving up and that although they were both rating equally
at this stage, Cambridge was the more powerful crew. They reached Hammersmith Bridge in the very
creditable time of 7 minutes 22 seconds considering the slack tide and were now something over ½ length
to the good over their rivals, with the bend now very much in their favour.
As they came round into Chiswick Reach they moved, for the first time into a headwind and some
troubled waters and Cambridge now moved away rapidly in the better water close to the Surrey bank
and although helped by the bend, it was clear that as they moved along towards the Doves
they were getting about a length of clear water behind them. However Oxford were still not
beaten and as they passed the Eyot they put on some great pushes and Cambridge reached
Chiswick Steps in 12 minutes 16 seconds, only 7 seconds ahead with Oxford still gaining
and with the end of the Cambridge bend in sight.
Oxford set off for the crossing earlier than
Cambridge who hung into the sheltered Surrey shore along past the reservoir. However when
eventually Cambridge moved out into the main water for the crossing they took the disturbed water
much better than had Oxford and gained enough there to be able to ensure that they could come into
the Middlesex shore safely ahead of the dark Blues, with the result that they had moved out
to a six length lead as they moved out from the shore to take the centre arch of Barnes Bridge
in 17 minutes 21 seconds. Oxford were still not ready to concede defeat and while J. H. Gibbon,
stroking Cambridge continued on his way at 30, Harcourt Gold raised the Oxford rate to 34
and by the finish which Cambridge reached in 21 minutes and 4 seconds Oxford had drawn back
no less than 9 seconds to lose by only 10 seconds (judged as 3¼ lengths).
But, perhaps for Cambridge, the distance mattered little. They had managed to beat their rivals
after 9 defeats.
Woodgates account in VANITY FAIR (March 30, 1899):
The winning crew of Saturdays Inter-Varsity Boat Race will be shrined among crews such as Goldies 1870 crew, the Oxonians of 1875 and 1878,
and other cracks, as being much above the average for speed and style.
The merit of their style is due to the coaching which they received, and especially to that of Mr. Fletcher,
the Oxonian, on whom fell the brunt of the tuition from the hour when Trial Eight preparation commenced in the autumn.
They had undeniably the best of the stations, being to windward and on the inside of the rivers curve for the first two and a-half miles of the course.
The wind blew stiffly, and made the leeward station a great drawback.
If the stations had been reversed the handicap would have produced a pretty race;
but on their form as displayed Cambridge should in the end have pulled through the disadvantage.
The best man in the two boats was Etherington-Smith, the Cantab President, whose father was in Jack Forsters winning Grand Challenge crew of 1863.
The Cantab No. 6, another very fine oar, is son of the No. 3 of Cambridge at Putney in 1862.
The father of C.J.D. Goldie was even more celebrated in aquatic history, as most readers know ...
The Oxford crew did by no means disgrace themselves against such high-class adversaries:
they kept together and in stroke all through a hard, stern chase in stormy water.
If all of them had copied the body action of their stroke, and had swung back and rowed it well out as he and No. 6 did,
they would have been many lengths faster. Their salient failing was want of length of swing-back in the middle of the boat.
The steering of both coxswains was much above the average; both are Etonians, and by no means novices at rudder-lines,
which explains their mutual merit on the first occasion that either has performed in a Putney race.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1899 R O Pitman, 10.10 C W Tomkinson, 12. 0 A H D Steele, 12.11½ H J Hale, 12.9½ C E Johnston, 13. 0 F W Warre, 12.13 A T Herbert, 12.13 H G Gold, 11.11½ G S Maclagan, 8. 1 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1899 W H Chapman, 11. 2 N L Calvert, 11.13 C J D Goldie, 12. 1½ J E Payne, 12.10½ R B Etherington-Smith, 12.10 R H Sanderson, 12.11 W Dudley Ward, 12. 9½ J H Gibbon, 11. 3½ G A Lloyd, 8. 5 |
Oxford 1899
Cambridge 1899
And so ended the fifty six boat races of the nineteenth Century with Oxford significantly ahead
in the overall tally: Oxford 32, Cambridge 23 (and one dead heat)
1898 marked the peak of Oxford's lead over Cambridge (32 to 22)
Leadership in Overall Tally of Boat Race Wins:
|
| 1829 - - - Cambridge - - - 1863 - - - - - - - - - - - Oxford - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1899 |
Click for Hammersmith Bridge
Boat race in 1900s