The Boat Race 1841

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5th Boat Race
1841 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.jpg
The Boat Race of 1841
Date14 April 1841 (1841-04-14)
Winner Cambridge
Margin of victory22 lengths
Winning time32 minutes 30 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		4–1
UmpireR. G. Walls (Oxford)
T. S. Egan (Cambridge)
Mr Antrobus (referee)
← 1840 1842 →

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.

Contents

Background

The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues") [1] and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues"). [1] The race was first held in 1829, and takes place on the River Thames in southwest London. [2] [3] Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race by three-quarters of a length. [4]

There was some disagreement over the day selected for the race, mainly in an attempt to coincide with a suitable tide. [5] The Cambridge cox for the 1839 race, Thomas Selby Egan, along with Oxford's R. G. Walls were umpires for the race along with referee Edmund Antrobus from St John's College, Cambridge. [6] Both universities rowed in boats constructed by Searle of Stangate; [6] [7] the vessels were "justly and generally admired", the only significant difference between them being that Oxford's boat was carvel built while Cambridge's was clinker built. [8] The race took place on a five-and-three-quarter-mile (9.2 km) stretch of the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Putney Bridge. [9] [10] No arrangements had been made for the police to keep the course clear: according to Cambridge's number seven George Denman "it was often ticklish work for the coxswains to decide whether to go ahead or astern of a train of barges catering across the river". [11] According to a report in The Morning Chronicle , "both crews ... have agreed that the match will be off if any of the steamers attempt to lead". [12]

Oxford arrived at the Thames fifteen days prior the race, and rowed the full course; Cambridge started their practice runs four days later, [5] often racing against a crew from the Cambridge Subscription Room (who subsequently won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta). [13] George Denman suffered an injury during practice, struck "by a tremendous blow on the shoulder" which was all but cured by the application of "just one leech". [14] Oxford's crew was not settled until three days before the race, when they competed against a crew from Leander Club. [8]

Crews

The Cambridge crew weighed an average of 11  st 4.625  lb (71.8 kg), 0.5 pounds (0.2 kg) per rower more than their Dark Blue opposition. [6] Cambridge's crew contained three Blues: John Matthew Ridley, Francis Penrose and Charles Marsh Vialls, all of whom had rowed in the previous year's race. Similarly, Oxford saw the return of four members with Boat Race experience: Jacob G. Mountain, E. Royds, G. Meynell and J. J. T. Somers-Cocks. [15] For the first time in the history of the race, two pairs of brothers rowed for Cambridge, the Crokers (Joseph and William) and the Denmans (George and Lewis). [16] [17]

George Denman rowed at number seven for Cambridge. George Denman Wells.jpg
George Denman rowed at number seven for Cambridge.
SeatCambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg 		Oxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow W. Croker Gonville and Caius 9 st 12 lbRichard Bethell Exeter 10 st 6 lb
2Hon. L. Denman Magdalene 10 st 12 lbEd. Vaughan Richards Christ Church 11 st 2 lb
3A. M. Ritchie 1st Trinity 11 st 10 lbJ. G. Mountain Merton 10 st 9 lb
4J. M. Ridley Jesus 12 st 7 lbE. Royds Brasenose 11 st 13 lb
5R. H. Cobbold Peterhouse 12 st 4 lbH. Wm. Hodgson Balliol 11 st 10 lb
6 F. C. Penrose Magdalene 12 st 0 lbWm. Lea Brasenose 11 st 7 lb
7 Hon. G. Denman 1st Trinity 10 st 7 lbG. Meynell Brasenose 11 st 11 lb
Stroke C. M. Vialls (P) 3rd Trinity 11 st 7 lbJ. J. T. Somers-Cocks (P) Brasenose 11 st 3 lb
Cox J. M. Croker Gonville and Caius 10 st 8 lbCharles B. Woolaston Exeter 9 st 2 lb
Source: [6]
(P) – boat club president [18]

Race

The 1841 race took place between Westminster and Putney bridges. Thames from Putney to Westminster 1842.jpg
The 1841 race took place between Westminster and Putney bridges.

Cambridge were considered favourites for the race, mainly as they had won the previous three races on the Thames. [5] The Light Blues won the toss and elected to start at the first arch from the centre of Westminster Bridge on the Surrey side, Oxford from the next arch along. The race commenced at 6:10 p.m., with the Light Blues making the better start, taking an early lead, [8] and getting clear by Lambeth. A lead of at least two lengths by Vauxhall Bridge was extended to around six lengths by Battersea Bridge. [19]

Cambridge won by 22 lengths in a time of 32 minutes 30 seconds. It was their fourth consecutive victory and took the overall record to 4–1 in their favour. [4] Despite earlier fears, "the steamers were well managed, and offered no obstruction to the boats". [8]

Related Research Articles

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.

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.

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 14th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 4 April 1857. Held annually, The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Oxford rowed in a keel-less carvel-built boat, the first time in the history of the race that such a construction method was used for one of the vessels. Umpired by Joseph William Chitty, the race was won by Oxford who triumphed over Cambridge by 11 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 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.

The 31st Boat Race took place on the 28 March 1874. 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 a race umpired by former Oxford rower Joseph William Chitty, Cambridge won by three and a half lengths in their fifth consecutive victory.

The 43rd Boat Race took place on 3 April 1886. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Repairs to Hammersmith Bridge restricted the crews to pass through a single arch. Umpired by Robert Lewis-Lloyd, Cambridge won the race by two-thirds of a length in a time of 22 minutes 30 seconds, becoming the first crew to come from behind at Barnes Bridge to win.

The 44th Boat Race took place on 26 March 1887. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. The race was umpired by Robert Lewis-Lloyd, and Cambridge won by two and a half lengths after one of the Oxford crew's oars snapped in half. The winning time for the race was 20 minutes 52 seconds, and Cambridge's victory took the overall record to 23–20 in Oxford's 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.

<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.

The 80th Boat Race took place on 28 March 1928. 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. In a race umpired by former Oxford rower Charles Burnell, Cambridge won by ten lengths, the largest margin of victory since 1900, in a time of 20 minutes 25 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 40–39 in Oxford's favour.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Dark Blues aim to punch above their weight". The Observer . 6 April 2003. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Smith, Oliver (25 March 2014). "University Boat Race 2014: spectators' guide". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Course". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Cambridge and Oxford Boat Race". Cambridge Independent Press. 10 April 1841. p. 3.(subscription required)
  6. 1 2 3 4 MacMichael, p. 89
  7. ↑ Burnell, p. 49
  8. ↑ "The Boat Race". Oxford University Boat Club. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Putney". British History Online . Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Dodd, p. 88
  11. ↑ "The Oxford and Cambridge eight-oared match". The Morning Chronicle . 13 April 1841. p. 4.(subscription required)
  12. ↑ MacMichael, pp. 84–85
  13. ↑ Dodd, p. 89
  14. ↑ Drinkwater, p. 18
  15. ↑ Burnell, p. 42
  16. ↑ Drinkwater, p. 19
  17. ↑ Burnell, pp. 50–51
  18. ↑ MacMichael, p. 88

Bibliography

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