The Boat Race 1836

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2nd Boat Race
Date17 June 1836 (1836-06-17)
Winner Cambridge
Margin of victory20 lengths
Winning time36 minutes
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		1–1
UmpireLord Loftus
Mr Hiceson
← 1829 1839 →

The 2nd Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 17 June 1836. It was the first of the University Boat Races to be held in London, on a five-and-three-quarter-mile stretch between Westminster and Putney. For the first time, Cambridge sported light blue livery in the form of a ribbon on their boat while Oxford rowed in dark blue jerseys. In a race umpired by Lord Loftus and Mr Hiceson, Cambridge won the race by 20 lengths to level the overall record at 1–1.

Contents

Background

The 1836 race took place between Westminster and Putney bridges. Thames from Putney to Westminster 1842.jpg
The 1836 race took place between Westminster and Putney bridges.

The Boat Race is an annual rowing eight competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. First held in 1829, no attempt was made to organise the second race until 1834. Cambridge had initially proposed a race from Westminster Bridge to Hammersmith, while Oxford suggested Maidenhead. [1] Although Cambridge agreed to compromise to race on any stretch of the Thames between Westminster and Richmond, no agreement was reached until 1836. This year, both universities issued a challenge to one another, and arrangements for the event were made in a meeting at the Star and Garter pub in Putney on 16 June 1836. [2] According to a journalist for The Morning Post , there was disagreement over the length of the race, with Oxford preferring a short course of a mile and a half, while Cambridge opted for the same course as the previous year. [3] It was agreed that the race was to take place the following day along the 5.75-mile (9.3 km) stretch of river between Westminster Bridge and Putney Bridge, [2] [4] a championship course for professional scullers. [5] It was also agreed that both boats would be steered by university men rather than professional coxes. [6]

The second Boat Race in the history of the event, it was the first to be conducted in London, with the inaugural race taking place at Henley-on-Thames. [7] Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 1829 race "easily". [8] Cambridge were coached by their cox Thomas Selby Egan. [9] The umpires for the race were both Oxonians: Lord Loftus, of Balliol College and Mr Hiceson (or Mr Hickson) of Christ Church. [10] [11]

According to author and former Oxford rower George Drinkwater, this was the first year that Cambridge adopted light blue as their racing colours: an R. N. Phillips provided a strip of Eton blue ribbon "which was fixed to the bows" of the boat. [12] Oxford wore white jerseys with dark blue stripes, as they had done for the 1829 race. [12]

Crews

The Cambridge crew weighed an average of 11  st 8.625  lb (73.6 kg), 0.875 pounds (0.4 kg) per rower more than their opponents. None of the competitors had taken part in a previous Boat Race, [13] while all participants were registered as British. [14] George Carter followed his brother J. Carter who had rowed for Oxford in 1829 race. [15]

SeatCambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg 		Oxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow William Hammond Solly 1st Trinity 11 st 0 lbGeorge Carter St John's 10 st 0 lb
2Frederick Green Gonville & Caius 11 st 2 lbFerdinand Thomas Stephens Exeter 10 st 7 lb
3Edmund Stanley Jesus 11 st 4 lb William Baillie Christ Church 11 st 7 lb
4Perceval Hartley Trinity Hall 12 st 0 lbT. Harris Magdalen 12 st 4 lb
5Warren Miller Jones Gonville & Caius 12 st 0 lb Justinian Vere Isham Christ Church 12 st 0 lb
6John Henry Keane 1st Trinity 12 st 0 lbJohn Pennefather Balliol 12 st 10 lb
7Arthur Wilson Upcher 2nd Trinity 12 st 0 lbWilliam S. Thompson Jesus 13 st 0 lb
Stroke Augustus Ker Bozzi Granville (P) Corpus Christi 11 st 7 lbFrederick Luttrell Moysey (C) Christ Church 10 st 6 lb
Cox Thomas Selby Egan Gonville & Caius 9 st 0 lbD. T. Davis Jesus 10 st 3 lb
Source: [16]
(P) – boat club president [17]
(C) – crew captain (prior to the formation of Oxford University Boat Club)

Race

Vauxhall Bridge, by which Cambridge held a substantial lead Vauxhall Bridge 1829.jpg
Vauxhall Bridge, by which Cambridge held a substantial lead

Oxford were favourites to win the race; [18] Cambridge won the toss. Heavy rain began to fall two hours before the start of the race, yet "although the rain descended in torrents, all were gay". [3] The race was started by the umpires at 4:20 p.m., with Cambridge starting well, taking an early lead. [19] By Vauxhall Bridge Cambridge's lead was significant. [20] Rowing "gallantly", author and former Light Blue rower William MacMichael noted that Cambridge had the race "all their own way" and passed under Putney Bridge about one minute and 20 lengths ahead of Oxford in a time of around 36 minutes. [20] The victory levelled the series at 1–1. [8]

Sports writer Gordon Ross described the race as "a very hollow affair" in which Cambridge "completely outclassed their rivals". [19] Drinkwater noted that the quality of rowing "was a good deal criticised by the watermen and amateurs of the Tideway". [12] According to the reporter for The Morning Post , "the Oxonians never stood a shadow of a chance, although they looked bigger men". [3] The author of The Sportsman claimed that "Cambridge had the best boat. The one rowed by the Oxonians is too flat-bottomed for the Thames". [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1829</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 1st Boat Race took place at Henley-on-Thames on 10 June 1829. The race came about following a challenge laid down to the University of Oxford by University of Cambridge "to row a match at or near London, each in an eight-oared boat during the ensuing Easter vacation". Oxford wore dark blue jerseys while Cambridge wore "white with pink waistbands". In front of a crowd estimated to be around 20,000, and according to the official record, Oxford won the race "easily" in a time of 14 minutes 30 seconds. The Boat Race became an annual fixture, and as of 2022, has been contested 167 times.

The 3rd Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 3 April 1839. It was the second of the University Boat Races to be held on the River Thames, this time between Westminster and Putney. Cambridge had competed against Leander Club in 1837 and 1838; it had been three years since Oxford and Cambridge raced against one another. Representatives of both universities and an independent referee oversaw the proceedings. Cambridge won the race by 35 lengths, as of 2023 the largest winning margin in the history of the event.

The 4th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 15 April 1840. It was the third of the University Boat Races to be held on the Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Putney Bridge. Oxford University Boat Club was formed to assist in the selection of the Oxford crew. Nevertheless, Cambridge won the race by three-quarters of a length to lead the overall record at 3–1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1841</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 5th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 14 April 1841. It was the fourth of the University Boat Races, a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, to be contested in London. The race was held between Westminster Bridge and Putney Bridge and was won by Cambridge, whose crew featured two pairs of brothers rowing, who defeated Oxford by a distance of 22 lengths in a time of 32 minutes and 30 seconds. The victory took the overall record in the event to 4–1 in Cambridge's favour.

The 6th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 11 June 1842. The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. In a race substantially interrupted by river traffic, Oxford beat Cambridge by a distance of 4+1⁄2 lengths.

The 7th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 17 March 1845. The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It was the first time the event was contested along The Championship Course, from Putney to Mortlake. The race was won by Cambridge who beat Oxford by a distance of ten lengths.

The 8th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 3 April 1846. Umpired by Charles Jasper Selwyn, Cambridge won in a time of 21 minutes 5 seconds, with a winning margin of three lengths. The race was held on the ebb tide, starting in Mortlake and ending in Putney. For the first time, outriggers were used by both crews.

The 12th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 8 April 1854. Typically held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The race was won by Oxford who triumphed over Cambridge by seven lengths.

The 20th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 28 March 1863. Oxford won by 15 lengths in a time of 23 minutes 6 seconds. It took the overall record to ten wins each, the first time since the 1836 race that the scores were level. The race was the third to be held on the ebb tide, along the Championship Course in reverse, from Mortlake to Putney. It was the first time since the race was held in the fashion since the 1856 race.

The 21st Boat Race, an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames, took place on 14 March 1864. Umpired by Joseph William Chitty, Oxford won by nine lengths in a time of 21 minutes 4 seconds, the fastest winning time since the event was held on The Championship Course in 1845. The race, whose start was moved in order to avoid interruptions from river traffic, was witnessed by the Prince of Wales.

The 22nd Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 8 April 1865. Oxford won by four lengths in a time of 21 minutes 24 seconds. The race, described as "one of the most sensational races in this history" thus far, was umpired by Joseph William Chitty. It was the first time that a crew had won the Boat Race after being behind at Hammersmith Bridge.

The 23rd Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 24 March 1866. The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Oxford won by three lengths in a time of 25 minutes and 35 seconds, one of the slowest times in the history of the event.

The 24th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 13 April 1867. In a race where the lead was exchanged several times, Oxford won by half a length in a time of 22 minutes and 39 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 14–10 in Oxford's favour.

The 25th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 4 April 1868. Oxford won by six lengths in a time of 20 minutes and 56 seconds, taking the overall record to 15–10 in their favour. Oxford cox Charles Tottenham became the first person in the history of the event to win five Boat Races, and Cambridge saw their first non-British rower compete.

The 26th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 17 March 1869. Oxford won by three lengths in a time of 20 minutes and 4 seconds. It was their ninth consecutive victory and was, at that point, the fastest time ever recorded in the event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1870</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 27th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on the 6 April 1870. Cambridge won by 1+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 22 minutes 4 seconds, their first victory since the 1860 race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1912</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 69th Boat Race took place on 30 March 1912 with a re-row on 1 April. Held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. Umpired by former Cambridge rower Frederick I. Pitman, this year's race ended with Cambridge sinking and Oxford waterlogged. Pitman declared the result as "No Race" and in the subsequent re-row on the following Monday, the race was won by Oxford by six lengths. Oxford's fourth consecutive victory took the overall record in the event to 38–30 in their favour.

The 45th Boat Race took place on 24 March 1888. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. In the race umpired by Robert Lewis-Lloyd for the final time, Cambridge won by seven lengths in a time of 20 minutes 48 seconds.

The 66th Boat Race took place on 3 April 1909. Held annually, the Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Cambridge were reigning champions, having won the previous year's race, while Oxford's heavier crew contained three Olympic gold medallists. In a race umpired by Frederick I. Pitman, Oxford won by 3+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 19 minutes 50 seconds. It was their first win in four races and took the overall record to 35–30 in their favour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1923</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 75th Boat Race took place on 24 March 1923. Held annually, the Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Cambridge's crew was marginally heavier than Oxford's, the latter included an Olympic silver medallist. Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. In this year's race, umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Oxford won by three-quarters of a length in a time of 20 minutes 54 seconds, securing their first win in five years. The victory took the overall record in the event to 40–34 in their favour.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ MacMichael, pp. 43–44
  2. 1 2 MacMichael, p. 47
  3. 1 2 3 "Grand Rowing Match – Oxford and Cambridge". The Morning Post . 18 June 1836. p. 4.
  4. ↑ "Boat Race – Early races". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Dodd, p. 86
  6. ↑ Dodd, p. 87
  7. ↑ "Races – Origins". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  9. ↑ Burnell, pp. 110–111
  10. ↑ Burnell, p. 49
  11. 1 2 The Sportsman. Vol. 1. Joseph Rogerson. July 1836. pp. 49–50.
  12. 1 2 3 Drinkwater, p. 16
  13. ↑ Burnell, p. 53
  14. ↑ Burnell, p. 38
  15. ↑ Burnell, p. 42
  16. ↑ MacMichael, p. 48
  17. ↑ Burnell, pp. 50–51
  18. ↑ "Grand Boat Race". Bradford Observer. 23 June 1836. p. 7.
  19. 1 2 Ross, p. 40
  20. 1 2 MacMichael, p. 49

Bibliography

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