The Boat Race 1845

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7th Boat Race
Date17 March 1845 (1845-03-17)
WinnerCambridge
Margin of victory10 lengths
Winning time23 minutes 30 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		5–2
UmpireW. H. Harrison
← 1842 1846 →

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.

Contents

Background

The 1845 Boat Race was the first year the event was competed for along The Championship Course. University Boat Race Thames map.svg
The 1845 Boat Race was the first year the event was competed for along The Championship Course.

The Boat Race, first held in 1829, 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] Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having defeated Cambridge by 4+1⁄2 lengths in the previous race held in 1842. However, Cambridge led overall with four wins to Oxford's two. [2]

The universities failed to agree on a location or a date for a race in 1843 or 1844, so no contests were held those years. [3] In November 1844, the Cambridge University Boat Club secretary wrote to Oxford in an attempt to restart the Easter running of the Boat Race. [4] The Oxford committee "seemed willing" and in the Lent term proposed a change to the course, to race above Putney Bridge rather than below it on 15 March. [5] It was the first Boat Race to be conducted between Putney and Mortlake on The Championship Course, previous races having taken place between Westminster Bridge and Putney Bridge, or on the Thames at Henley between Hambleden Lock and Henley Bridge. [6] [7] Cambridge arrived in London on the Wednesday before the race, Oxford following two days later. Following their displays in practice rows, Cambridge were considered favourites for the race. [8]

Cambridge "rowed in an outrigger built by Searle, 60 feet (18 m) in length, 2 feet 8 inches (0.81 m) in breadth", while Oxford's boat was "expressly built for this match by King of Oxford" and 58 feet 6 inches (17.83 m) long. However, the river conditions on the day were so rough that the Cambridge crew abandoned using their new boat and instead used their training boat, which was built by Logan and belonged to Second Trinity Boat Club. [9]

The umpire for the race was W. H. Harrison, Commodore of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, [10] while the starter was Edward Searle. [8]

Crews

The Oxford crew weighed an average of 11  st 9  lb (73.8 kg), 6.375 pounds (2.9 kg) per rower more than their Light Blue opposition. None of the crews had rowed in previous Boat Races. [11]

SeatCambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg 		Oxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow Gerard Mann Gonville and Caius 10 st 7 lb M. Haggard Christ Church 10 st 3 lb
2W. Harkness St John's 10 st 0 lbW. C. Stapylton Merton 10 st 12 lb
3W. S. Lockhart Christ's 11 st 3 lb W. H. Milman Christ Church 11 st 0 lb
4W. P. Cloves 1st Trinity 12 st 0 lbH. Lewis Pembroke 11 st 7 lb
5 F. M. Arnold Gonville and Caius 12 st 0 lbW. Buckle Oriel 13 st 12 lb
6R. Harkness St John's 11 st 0 lbF. C. Royds Pembroke 11 st 5 lb
7J. Richardson (P) 1st Trinity 12 st 0 lbF. M. Wilson Christ Church 12 st 3 lb
Stroke C. G. Hill 2nd Trinity 10 st 11 lbF. E. Tuke (P) Brasenose 12 st 2 lb
Cox H. Munster 1st Trinity 9 st 2 lbF. J. Richards Exeter 10 st 10 lb
Source: [11]
(P) – boat club president

Race

The conditions for the race were "of the most inclement possible" and the water "very rough". [12] Cambridge won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station, handing the Surrey station to Oxford. The Light Blues made the better start but swell from a steamer dislodged the oar of Richardson and allowed Oxford to take the lead. [8] Cambridge gradually recovered to draw level and by Bishop of London's Walk were clear. Despite poor steering from both coxes (and Henry Munster losing his hat while waving it at the crowds), Cambridge were three lengths ahead by Hammersmith Bridge. [12] They continued to pull away and won by ten lengths in a time of 23 minutes 30 seconds. It was their fifth victory overall, to Oxford's two since the first Boat Race of 1829. [2] Cambridge inflicted a second defeat on Oxford later that year, winning the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. [13]

Related Research Articles

The Boat Race 1829 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 2021, has been contested 166 times.

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 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 Boat Race 1841 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 16th Boat Race took place on 15 April 1859. Held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. The race went ahead following Cambridge's request for a postponement due to extremely rough conditions being rejected. Oxford won the race after Cambridge sank. It was the first time in the history of the event that one of the crews did not finish the race.

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 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 9th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 29 March 1849. 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 Cambridge who triumphed over Oxford "easily". As a result of the nature of the defeat, Oxford challenged Cambridge to a second race that year, which was to be held in December, the only time the Boat Race was competed for twice in a calendar year. Every member of the Cambridge crew came from Trinity College.

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 13th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 15 March 1856. Typically held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The race, the second to be held on the ebb tide, was won by Cambridge who beat Oxford by half a length.

The 15th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 27 March 1858. Typically held annually, the event is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The 1858 race, disrupted by poor rowing and a collision with a barge, was won by Cambridge, who defeated Oxford by 7+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 23 seconds.

The 17th Boat Race took place on 31 March 1860. 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. It was the first time in the history of the event that the race had to be restarted as a result of an obstruction. Cambridge won the event by one length, in the slowest time ever.

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.

The Boat Race 1932 Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 84th Boat Race took place on 19 March 1932. 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. The race was umpired by former Oxford rower Harcourt Gilbey Gold on a shortened because of repairs to Putney Bridge. Cambridge won by five lengths, the largest winning margin for three years, in a time of 19 minutes 11 seconds, their ninth consecutive victory. The win equalled the record victorious streaks of Oxford between 1861 and 1869, and 1890 and 1898, and took the overall record to 43–40 in their favour.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Dark Blues aim to punch above their weight". The Observer . 6 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  3. ↑ MacMIchael, pp. 105–106, 117
  4. ↑ MacMichael, pp. 121–122
  5. ↑ MacMichael, p. 122
  6. ↑ MacMichael, pp. 34, 47
  7. ↑ "The Course". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 MacMichael, p. 123
  9. ↑ Brasenose College Boat Club Minute Book, 1845
  10. ↑ Burnell, p. 49
  11. 1 2 MacMichael, p. 124
  12. 1 2 MacMichael, p. 125
  13. ↑ MacMichael, pp. 130–131

Bibliography

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