1900: The Grand was won by Leander Club in 7:06
1900: The Diamonds was won by E.G. Hemmerde (University College, Oxford) in 8:42
1901: The Grand was won by Leander Club in 7:05 ?
Movie of Leander v Pennsylvannia University
1901: The Diamonds was won by C.V. Fox (Guards Brigade R.C.) in 8:46
Christ's College Cambridge Boat Club records -
A four was put on for the Wyfold Cup. When we
consider that the four was not beaten until the final, and then
only by a length and a half by a crew of exceptionally high
class for the Wyfold, we submit that the results will be
reckoned satisfactory.
July 3rd, 2nd Heat.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 1 ; Royal Artillery (24th Brigade), (Bucks.), 0.
Christ's won by threequarters of a length. Time, 8 min. 6 secs.
July 4th, 5th Heat.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 1 ; Thames R.C. (Bucks.), 0.
Our crew got up level two strokes before the finish, and won by 4 feet. Time, 8 mins. 13 secs.
In neither of these two races was either boat ever clear of the other.
July 5th, Final.
Trinity Hall, Cambridge (Berks.), 1 ; Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 0.
Christ's were slightly ahead at Fawley (3.56), but the Hall then went ahead, and,
drawing clear at the bottom of Phyllis Court, won by 1½ lengths. Time, 8 min. 9 secs.
"Up the Thames" by Savile Lumley, 1901
1901: A CHAT WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BOAT CLUB: Mr. F. W. WARRE
"Who's going to win?" I asked the
Captain of the Oxford University Boat Club as we sat discussing the prospects
of the rival crews just under the shadow of
Oriel Cottage,
"Ah, March 30 will show, beyond that we cannot tell."
The speaker was F. W. Warre, the son of
the Head-Master of Eton (who himself
rowed in the races of 1857 and 1858), and who this year was in charge of the crew.
Last year he was in the Eight, but did not
row.
because an attack of scarlatina spoilt
his chances.
What he has done this year you
already know.
"Now, how do you start getting ready for
the race?"
"Well, it is the duty of the defeated crew
to send a challenge, and of course this was
done in the present year by Oxford.
It is usually done some three or four months before the race.
The University Boat Club
always accept it at a meeting.
The fixture
is, however, very firmly established, and it
would not be easy for anyone to try to introduce any innovation.
Immediately
after the Long Vacation the President begins
to see what are the prospects for the race.
Some of the public schools may be relied on
to send a supply of men.
Eton, Radley, Bedford Modern and Bedford Grammar Schools, with Shrewsbury, are perhaps
the best rowing scholastic centres.
Eton
has a great advantage in being near the
Thames, and the Bedford schools have the
Ouse.
But so many schools have no chance.
with the result that there is but little
competition among boys, in comparison
with other sports, in the rowing world.
But
year by year there are races on the Thames
and the Ouse, and the records are watched
with great care, and any lad who does well
in them is sure to have a chance of display
ing his prowess at the 'Varsity.
"But to get into the Eight is no easy task, and, really, one is never sure of the position
until almost the last moment.
The preparation begins in October, and before Christmas
what are called the Trial Eights are rowed.
This latter event is in its final stage a race
between the best sixteen oarsmen, and from
them the President forms his crew to row
against Cambridge.
But, first and foremost,
there is no end of anxiety to get an
opportunity to row, and every College has its
boat, or perhaps two or three, and also a
club of its own.
They may have several
boats on the river, but there is a limit to
those that may enter for the Torpid or
other races.
You will thus see that there is
a large number of men who row, and an
excellent choice is afforded.
These are the
sources whence the final selections are made.
"
"But what of the Eight chosen at the
commencement of the Lent Term ?"
"They at once begin to practise, and
gradually to shape a bit, and the President
does all he can to coach them; He must
give each man a thorough trial, and must
also take him Out individually and correct
his faults.
In that way a set of men are got
together, and finally the right lot.
But even
then illness may intervene and upset all
one's calculations."
"Where is your early work done?"
"On the Isis ; and there we remain, up and
down the river, until we go on the Thames
for our final training.
Some six weeks before
the day we go into strict training, and this
is somewhere about Ash Wednesday.
Then
we pass into the hands of our coach; it may
be Mr. C. W. Bourne, or some one else like
Mr. D. H. McLean, one of the best we ever
had.
I believe Cambridge as well as ourselves
have been hit very hard by the [Boer] war.
The
coach directs the training, and that in vogue
now is as follows : We rise early, and begin
the day by running a hundred yards and
walking a couple of miles.
We breakfast at 8.30. lunch at 1. have dinner at 6.30. and
no tea.
while we are in bed by 10.30 pm.
No
one dreams of breaking any of the rules ; all
are too anxious to do their best.
The one
idea is to try and win.
The coach has
absolute control of the training."
"What is rowing the race like, Mr. Warre?
You rowed in 1898 and 1899."
"Yes; and I suppose this will be my last
race.
It is not usual to row more than four
years; though, of course, there is no hard-and-fast rule about the matter, and men have
gone on for five seasons; but it always seems
to be just a little unfair.
But you ask me
what it feels like to row the race.
I do not
know, and never met a man who, having taken part in it, attempted to describe it.
It was a terrible race in 1898 when
Cambridge were nearly sunk and ourselves
not much better.
Then too, one is bent on
winning, and there is no time for thought.
You are not so exhausted because on the day
you are generally very fit; and all the weeks
of careful preparation are in your favour, and
so you feel fit.
As you know, the winning
crew generally come back in the bows of the
vessel which follows the race."
"We hear of trial races - what are they?"
"Oh, during the last stage of our training
in London we often come in contact with
scratch crews belonging to the London, Leander, or other rowing clubs.
Why they are called 'trials' one cannot conceive?
The plan is for us to row, and perhaps after
we have gone a mile, a Scratch eight will pick us up and take a start, and then we
row a mile or two together; a little later
another crew will take us on, and sometimes two or three in a day.
This year our boat, by the bye, is built by Simms of Putney.
Generally before the race we row fully the
course, which I think is about five miles
long."
"How should a young oarsman train?"
"That is a most difficult question.
He
must have good health, and everything will depend on the state of that.
He must not
have a weak heart, and there must be good
stamina.
Beyond that, when racing, diet is of great and urgent importance.
We do not
smoke, nor drink wine or beer; and the 'Blues' value the coveted honour far too
much to deliberately break any rules.
Every
man in the boat must do his best, or else he
is only a passenger, and not worth his position.
There is only room for hard workers,
and each member must pull his hardest."
Concluding my conversation, Mr. Warre
told me that he had met with some success
at Henley in 1900, having formed one of the
Leander winning Four and Eight; and the
oars around his room showed this.
Usually,
he says, "the crew preserve the oars of
great aquatic events," and the cox. takes
the rudder.
The Oxford Captain believes that the race
was very popular when his father rowed in
the fifties, but the diet and method of
training were quite different.
The Head of
Eton helped abolish raw steak ad lib., and his son is a splendid specimen of the improved twentieth-century system of training.
T. C. C.
1902: The Grand was won by Third Trinity B.C., Cambridge in 7:17
1902: The Diamonds was won by F.S. Kelly (Balliol College, Oxford) in 8:59
R C Lehmann described Third Trinity's victory in the Grand -
[Third Trinity] came to Henley in 1902 with a very
brilliant crew containing seven Blues, with R. H. Nelson at
stroke, W. Dudley Ward No. 7, C W. H. Taylor No. 6,
J. Edwards-Moss No. 5, P. H, Thomas Na 4, C. J. D.
Goldie No. 3, C. P. Powell No. 2, and W. H. Chapman bow.
Not many days before the race Nelson had an accident, which
compelled him to withdraw from the crew. His place was
supplied by J. H. Gibbon, who happened to be at Henley,
and was not very much out of condition. He had stroked
Cambridge to victory against Oxford in 1899 and 1900.
Such a catastrophe as a change of strokes so soon before the
race might well have upset any crew. Gibbon, however, did
extremely well for them, and so excellent was the uniformity
which they had already attained that their pace seemed in no
way to suffer from the change.
Against them Leander had brought a crew of Oxonians, all Blues.
Third Trinity, however, in the final gave them very little chance, though
Leander had the best of the station. They went ahead at
once, and won with great ease.
1903: The Grand was won by Leander Club in 7:09
1903: The Diamonds was won by F.S. Kelly (Leander Club) in 8:41
R C Lehman described Third Trinity's defeat by Leander in the Grand -
In 1903, although [Third Trinity] were beaten, they accomplished
an even more remarkable performance [than in 1902].
They brought another brilliant crew to Henley, and were,
to all appearances, sure of victory. Two days before the Regatta, however,
their No. 5, C. J. D. Goldie, fell ill, and had to leave the
boat. They rearranged their crew, and brought in a new
and untrained man, N. Chalmers, at No. 3.
Their chief opponents, again, were Leander, and the race between these
two crews will ever be remembered. Everybody anticipated
an easy victory for the "Brilliants" [Leander], but for at least a mile
Third Trinity kept desperately challenging for the lead.
Even at the White House it seemed as if they were going to
win, but their tremendous efforts had exhausted them, and
their pace began to fall off. They were finally beaten by 6 feet
1904: The Grand was won by Leander Club in 7:20
1904: The Diamonds was won by L.F. Scholes (Toronto R.C., Can.) in 8:23
1905: The Grand was won by Leander Club in 6:58
1905: The Diamonds was won by F.S. Kelly (Leander Club) in 8:10
Some Henley Afterthoughts, C B Fry's Magazine, 1905 -
From the oarsman's point of view interest in Henley Regatta this year was centred in the contest of styles
provided by the Leander crew, on the one hand, and the American and Belgian crews on the other.
Not even the least instructed eye could fail to remark the striking differences in the appearance
and work of these crews.
The Leander men exemplified admirably the best points of our English style.
Experience of innumerable races over a long period of years as convinced us that we get the best results in pace and in endurance
out of a crew when we have taught them to sit erect to their work, to swing long and very steadily forward,
to reach out far, to catch the water sharply at the full extent of the reach,
to apply the weight-power of the body firmly to the blade by a quick and solid backward swing,
to combine with this swing the driving power of the legs, to force the stroke home
with an unwavering pressure until the last fraction of value has been secured from it,
then to release the blade from the water with the utmost promptitude and cleanness,
and finally, to extend the arms swiftly and to recover the body with elasticity in preparation
for the slow and balanced swing that rests the body and serves as a prelude to the next stroke.
Performing these movements with a precision and grace and rhythmical regularity that made them a pleasure to the eye,
the Leander men were enabled to defeat with some ease as powerful a foreign opposition as has ever shown itself
in the fight for the Grand Challenge Cup.
...
While we are entitled to congratulate ourselves on the decisive result of the racing,
it is only fair to remember that no crew but Leander could have secured it.
It may be hoped that there will now be an end to the ignorant and often jealous abuse
which has been showered on this great rowing organisation.
Christ's College Cambridge Boat Club records -
After five days' practice at Cambridge the crew appeared
at Henley, C. C. Garbett having abandoned a holiday in
Norway to coach the crew. S. F. P. Blyth, who had steered
the May Boat in the two previous years, returned as cox
but otherwise no change was made in the crew.
Practice continued steadily up to the races, during which the crew
came on a good deal. Our best course was rowed in
7 mins. 10 secs, a time that was only beaten in practice by
Leander and the Americans, who got over on the same day
in 7.01 and 7.06. It was eventually decided to enter for the
Grand Challenge Cup and for the Ladies' Plate. This is
the only occasion on which the College has competed in the
Grand.
Grand Challenge Cup, 3rd Heat, July 4th.
Vesper B.C., Philadelphia, U.S.A. (Berks.), 1 ; Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 0.
We had the Bucks, station. Both crews rowed 40 in the first minute, but the Americans went right
away from the start, and had nearly a length lead at the top of the Island.
This they had increased to nearly two lengths
at the half-mile post.
Then picking it up we held them, and
spurting past Fawley Court, the half-way mark (3.23), we
began to go up on them steadily. At the mile we had reduced
their lead to a length and a quarter, and opposite Phyllis
Court we were only a length to the bad. Here our opponents
began to feel the advantage of the slack water on their side
of the river ; we could get no nearer to them, and were beaten
by a length in the good time of 7 mins. 12 secs., after the best
piece of rowing we ever did." The Americans were 'all out', finishing at 36.
Leander beat Jesus College, Cambridge, on the first day easily by 1¾ lengths in 7.26,
the Americans on the second by a length after a very good race,
and Sport Nautique de Gand (Belgium) in the final rather easily
by 2¼ lengths, so probably Christ's was the third best crew
in for the Grand.
Ladies' Plate, 4th Heat, July 4th.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 1 ; Trinity Hall, Cambridge (Bucks.), 0.
The same evening we rowed our first race for the Ladies'
Plate, against Trinity Hall, this time having Berks, station.
Hall went away steadily from the start and were ¾ length
ahead at the half mile. Here we came within range of our
coach's megaphone. The rowing improved and we began to
go up. Very slowly we overhauled them, got level by the
¾ mile post, and were leading by ¼ length at the mile. Rowing
well and steadily we gradually left them and won by a length
in 7 mins. 14 secs.
...
6th Heat, July 5th.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 1 ; Jesus College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 0.
Jesus, with the Bucks, station, went ahead very slowly, rowing 41 in the
first minute to our 39. At Fawley Court (3.35) they were
leading by less than ½ length, and at this point, as in the
previous races, we began to go up. At the ¾ mile only their
canvas was showing in front, and soon after we got up and for
some time rowed dead level. By the time the mile post
was reached we were leading by a few feet. Both boats
spurted in hard at the finish, and we just won a desperate race
by ½ length in the bad time of 7.30. The crew were feeling
the effects of their two hard races on the first day, and the
boat did not travel so well.
Final, July 6th.
Eton College (Bucks.), 1 ; Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 0.
Though rowing up to our form we were beaten by a length in 7.12. To the top of the
Island we kept level, but then our opponents gradually went
ahead and had nearly ¾ length lead at the ½ mile. All our
efforts made no impression on their advantage,which they
increased to a length from the mile in. We were perhaps
unfortunate in having to meet in the final after three very hard
races a crew who had come within a second or two of the Eton
records. The races at any rate showed that we were the
fastest College crew at Henley. The Eton crew contained
five future rowing blues.
...
1906: the Regatta was extended to four days.
1906: The Grand was won by C. Naut. de Gand, Belg. in 7:09
1906: The Diamonds was won by H.T. Blackstaffe (Vesta R.C.) in 8:35
Thames' Cup Winners: Christ's College, Cambridge - Boat Club records -
The crew entered for both the Ladies' Plate and the Thames
Cup. They were coached by J. E. Ferrar (Sidney Sussex
College) to whom "our heartiest thanks are due for his able
and tactful coaching. His tact made itself felt before the
races. When other crews had a bad needle, we were in the
best of spirits owing to his jests which were good, bad and
indifferent."
Ladies' Plate, 1st Heat, July 3rd.
Christ Church, Oxford (Bucks.), 1; Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 0.
Christ Church won a hard race by ½ length in 7.14.
Thames Cup, 3rd Heat, July 2nd.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 1 ; Vesta R.C. (Berks.), 0.
Christ's were almost clear at the top of the Island and won easily by a length, 7.35.
Thames Cup 8th Heat, July 3rd.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Berks.), 1 ; Trinity College, Oxford (Bucks.), 0.
Fortunately the morning's race (in the Ladies' Plate) had not exhausted all
our energy, and at the ¼ mile we were ½ length to the good.
We kept on improving our lead and won by 1¾ lengths in 7.25.
Thames Cup 9th Heat, July 4th.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.). 1 ; Kingston R.C. (Berks.), 0.
This was the easiest race we had and we won by 2¾ lengths in 7.28.
Final, July 5th.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 1 ; First Trinity, Cambridge, 2nd crew (Berks.), 0.
We rowed 42 to their 40 in the first minute, and at the ¼ mile post were
½ length ahead ; by the ½ mile we had the advantage of ¾ length,
but at the mile they had reduced it to ½ length. The
pick up was simultaneous, but ours was rather scrappy, and
by the time we passed the winning post they had drawn
up within 6 ft. of us. The time was 7.23, 1/5th of a second
less than the time in the final heat for the Ladies.
Henley Regatta, 1906, boats going down to start
1906: Mary Howarth writing in Vanity Fair -
TOILETTES FOR HENLEY WEEK
Toilettes for Henley Week: Fashions the River Gods Approve
The liquid tones of the river gods beguile us to Henley this week,
where there are fascinations, material as well as aquatic,
though I write a little too soon to be able to state whether the elements
will be favourable to so sylvan a fête as the Regatta.
I only know that there have been some very pretty and dainty dresses and also
some charming specimens of millinery prepared for the event.
Specially have I approved the white handkerchief lawn gowns,
with their wealth of plumetis embroidery, and the blanche linen skirts,
quaintly made en corselet, with short pleated jackets to match,
worn with a pair of blue or mahogany brown suède gloves to match,
and white hat with soft blue or brown ribbon on it to match.
...
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ZEPHYR COSTUMES.
Last week's heavy downpour has freshened the country most delightfully.
How green is the wheat now, already heavy in the ear, and how scarlet are the poppies;
how the wild roses gem the verdant hedgerow. Everything is essentially juvenile,
and so must the Henley toilette be (I refer to its newness or freshness),
or perish the hope of its success.
It would be ungrateful to the dressmakers to forget to mention the
practical little toilettes they are presenting in checked zephyr;
simplest and least pretentious of fabrics, but most effective for a river fête.
The chance of introducing a touch of daring colour is possible when a
black and white zephyr is chosen that permits a little cherry coloured silk
to figure as an outline to the soft white mousseline vest, and about the
high collar of the same fabric.
That most useful adjunct, the sunshade, may be requisitioned
to intensify the brightness of the cherry shade,
and thus to throw up the cool black and white check of the gown.
The simpler the muslin frock the better for Henley week.
White haircord and coloured dimities may prove the most successful of frocks.
Then for older wearers it would be foolish to forget the very soft glossy
foulards that are so useful, and Tokio silk that makes so graceful a dress for a club lawn.
Henley Regatta, Mortimer Menpes, 1906
1907: The Grand was won by Sport Naut. de Gand, Belg. in 7:31
1907: The Diamonds was won by W.H. Darell (Household Brigade B.C.) in 9:24
Thames Cup Winners: Christ's College Cambridge - Boat Club records -
An eight to defend the Thames Cup and a four for the
Wyfold Cup entered for Henley Regatta. They were coached
by F. S. Lowe of the London R.C.
Thames Cup, 8th Heat, July 3rd.
Christ's College Cambridge (Bucks.), 1; Molesey BC (Berks), 0.
Christ's, leading all the way, won a good race by ¾ length in 7 min. 45 secs.
Thames Cup, 12th Heat, July 4th.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 1 ; Trinity College, Oxford (Berks.), 0.
Christ's, leading all the way, won with a little in hand by a bare length in 7 min. 59 secs.
Final, July 5th.
Christ's College, Cambridge (Bucks.), 1 ; Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (Berks.), 0.
Corpus led by half a length at the half mile, but the crews were nearly
level at Fawley (3.40). From here Christ's went ahead and
won by a length in 7 min. 45 secs.
There was a strong down stream wind throughout the
Regatta, which made all the times very slow. The Belgians,
who won the Grand by a bare length took 7.31, which was the
fastest time done in the Regatta.
Henley Royal Regatta, 1907
1908: The Grand was won by Christ Church, Oxford in 7:10
1908: The Diamonds was won by A. McCulloch (Leander Club) in 8:25
1908: Olympic Rowing at Henley (page on this site)
1909: The Grand was won by R.C. Naut. de Gand, Belg. in 7:08
1909: The Diamonds was won by A.A. Stuart (Kingston R.C.) in 8:30