The Boat Race 1864

Last updated

21st Boat Race
Date14 March 1864 (1864-03-14)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory9 lengths
Winning time21 minutes 4 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		10–11
Umpire Joseph William Chitty
(Oxford)
← 1863 1865 →

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.

Contents

Background

The Prince of Wales, Edward VII, (right) attended the race. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra - Wedding -1863.jpg
The Prince of Wales, Edward VII, (right) attended the race.

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 since 1845 has taken place on the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London. [2] [3] The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities and followed throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide. [4] Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 1863 race by ten lengths, with the overall record tied on ten victories each. [5]

The location of the start of the race was moved to approximately 400 feet (122 m) upstream of Putney Bridge in order to reduce interruptions to the race from steamers. [6] Indeed, both boat club presidents had issued a caution to the steamer captains, indicating that the race would be conducted on the ebb tide should any interruption take place which would risk the steamers becoming grounded at Mortlake. [7] The finish was moved the corresponding distance upstream to maintain the traditional length of the race. [8] Oxford rowed in the same boat as the previous race, which was constructed by J. and S. Salter while Cambridge utilised a new vessel built for them by Taylor of Newcastle. [9] Oxford were coached by George Morrison who had rowed in the 1859, 1860 and 1861 races and was non-rowing president for the 1862 race. [10] The race was umpired by Joseph William Chitty who had rowed for Oxford twice in 1849 (in the March and December races) and the 1852 race, [7] [11] while the starter was Edward Searle. [12] [13]

Crews

The Cambridge crew weighed an average of 11  st 11.5  lb (74.9 kg), 4 pounds (1.8 kg) per rower more than their Dark Blue opposition. [13] Cambridge's crew, however, was tall, averaging over 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) per rower. [7] Oxford's crew contained three rowers from the previous years race in William Awdry, F. H. Kelly and W. B. R. Jacobson. The Cambridge boat also saw three participants from the 1863 race: bow John Hawkshaw, number five Robert Kinglake and cox Francis Archer (who had also coxed the Light Blues in the 1862 race) returned. [13]

William Awdry rowed at number 2 for Oxford. WilliamAwdry.jpg
William Awdry rowed at number 2 for Oxford.
SeatCambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg 		Oxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow J. C. Hawkshaw (P) Trinity 11 st 3 lbC. Roberts Trinity 10 st 9 lb
2E. V. Pigott Corpus Christi 11 st 9 lb W. Awdry Balliol 11 st 4.5 lb
3H. Watson Pembroke 12 st 4 lbF. H. Kelly University 11 st 9 lb
4W. Hawkins St John's 12 st 0 lbJ. Parsons Trinity 12 st 9 lb
5 R. A. Kinglake Trinity 12 st 4 lbW. B. R. Jacobson Christ Church 12 st 3.5 lb
6G. Borthwick Trinity 12 st 1 lbA. E. Seymour University 11 st 3 lb
7D. F. Steavenson Trinity Hall 12 st 1 lbM. Brown Trinity 11 st 3 lb
Stroke J. R. Selwyn Trinity 11 st 0 lb D. Pocklington Brasenose 11 st 5 lb
Cox F. H. Archer Corpus Christi 6 st 6 lbC. R. W. Tottenham Christ Church 7 st 3 lb
Source: [13]
(P) – boat club president (C. R. Carr was the non-rowing president of Oxford University Boat Club) [14]

Race

The Championship Course, along which the race is conducted University Boat Race Thames map.svg
The Championship Course, along which the race is conducted

The weather on the day of the race was sunny with a mild breeze. [13] The Prince of Wales, future King of the United Kingdom Edward VII was in attendance; [6] as a result, the start time was moved forward to enable the Prince to leave for another engagement. [12] Oxford were pre-race favourites, and won the toss, electing to start from the Middlesex station, handing the Surrey side of the river to Cambridge. The Cantabrigians made the better start, and soon led by a third of a length. However, by Finch's field, Oxford had recovered to draw level and started to leave the Light Blues behind. Half a mile into the course, the Dark Blues held a half-length lead which they extended to a length by Craven Cottage.

With a clear water advantage, they crossed in front of Cambridge and were three lengths ahead by the Crab Tree pub, extending to "four or five lengths" by Hammersmith Bridge. [15] They were so far ahead at Barnes Bridge their advantage in lengths was impossible "to be accurately counted". [16] Misinterpreting the position of the finish line, the Oxford crew stopped rowing early, but once aware of their mistake, rowed on to the finish, winning by nine lengths in a time of 21 minutes 4 seconds. It was their fourth consecutive victory and was, at the time, the fastest winning time in the history of the event. [5]

Related Research Articles

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 33rd Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 8 April 1876. Six of the Oxford crew had Boat Race experience while Cambridge's crew contained three Blues. Umpired by Joseph William Chitty, Cambridge won the race "easily" in a time of 20 minutes 20 seconds, following confusion as to the positioning of the finish. The victory took the overall record to 17–16 in Oxford'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 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 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 18th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 16 March 1861. Held annually, The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The 1861 event, which featured the first ever non-British competitor, suffered numerous interruptions from river traffic. Oxford won by 16 lengths.

The 19th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 12 April 1862. Oxford won by 10 lengths in a time of 24 minutes and 34 seconds, taking the overall record to 10–9 in Cambridge's favour.

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 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 having been 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.

The 29th Boat Race took place on the 27 March 1872. 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 Robert Lewis-Lloyd, Cambridge won by two lengths in a time of 21 minutes 15 seconds taking the overall record to 16–13 in Oxford's favour.

The 30th Boat Race took place on the 29 March 1873. 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 lengths in a time of 19 minutes and 35 seconds, the fastest time in the history of the event. It was the first time that rowers raced on sliding seats.

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 35th Boat Race took place on 13 April 1878. 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 total, ten former Blues took part in the contest. The race was umpired by former rower Joseph William Chitty and Oxford won by a margin of 10 lengths in a time of 22 minutes 15 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 18–16 in Oxford's favour.

The 36th Boat Race took place on 5 April 1879. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Each crew contained four Blues. In a race umpired by former Oxford rower Joseph William Chitty, Cambridge led all the way, and won by a margin of three lengths in a time of 21 minutes 18 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 18–17 in Oxford's 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 20 August 2014.
  2. ↑ Smith, Oliver (25 March 2014). "University Boat Race 2014: spectators' guide". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Course". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Former Winnipegger in winning Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race crew". CBC News. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 MacMichael, p. 305
  7. 1 2 3 Drinkwater, p. 54
  8. ↑ Burnell, p. 58
  9. ↑ MacMichael, p. 308
  10. ↑ Burnell, pp. 100, 111
  11. ↑ Burnell, p. 97
  12. 1 2 Drinkwater, p. 55
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 MacMichael, p. 306
  14. ↑ Burnell, pp. 50–51
  15. ↑ MacMichael, p. 307
  16. ↑ MacMichael, p. 308

Bibliography

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