The Boat Race 1875

Last updated

32nd Boat Race
Date20 March 1875 (1875-03-20)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory10 lengths
Winning time22 minutes 2 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		15–17
Umpire Joseph William Chitty
(Oxford)
← 1874 1876 →

The 32nd Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 20 March 1875. The Cambridge crew contained four Blues to Oxford's two, the latter went into the race without a win since the 1869 race. In a race umpired by Joseph William Chitty, Oxford won by ten lengths in a time of 22 minutes 2 seconds, taking the overall record in the event to 17–15 in their favour. One of the Cambridge crew broke his slide during the race.

Contents

Background

Joseph William Chitty was the umpire for the 1875 Boat Race. Joseph William Chitty.jpg
Joseph William Chitty was the umpire for the 1875 Boat 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] Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having defeated Oxford by 3+1⁄2 lengths in the previous year's race, while Oxford led overall with sixteen wins to Cambridge's fifteen. [4]

Cambridge were coached by John Goldie, the Cambridge boat club president and rower for the 1869, 1870 and 1871 races, [5] and Charles Stokes Read who had rowed for Cambridge in the previous three races. [6] Oxford's coaches were S. D. Darbishire who had rowed for the Dark Blues in the 1868, 1869 and 1870 races, [7] F. H. Hall who had coxed for three races between 1870 and 1872, Robert Wells Risley who had rowed four times between the 1857 and 1860 races, Edmund Warre (represented Oxford in 1857 and 1858), Frank Willan (four-time winning rower between 1866 and 1869) and Walter Bradford Woodgate who had rowed in the 1862 and 1863 races. [8] Joseph William Chitty was the umpire for the race. He had rowed for Oxford twice in 1849 (in March and December) and the 1852 race. The starter was Edward Searle. [9]

Crews

The Oxford crew weighed an average of 11  st 12.375  lb (75.3 kg), 1.625 pounds (0.7 kg) more than their opponents. [10] Cambridge's crew contained four former Blues, including Herbert Edward Rhodes who was making his third appearance in the race. Oxford saw two rowers return from the 1874 race, in H. J. Stayner and J. P. Way. [11] According to Drinkwater, the Oxford University Boat Club towards the end of 1874 produced a "fine crew", and of particular note was the inclusion of the former Eton Captain of the Boats Tom Edwards-Moss. In contrast, Cambridge's crew, with just two returning from the previous year's race, was completed with "material ... not of a very high order". [10]

SeatCambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg 		Oxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow P. J. Hibbert Lady Margaret Boat Club 11 st 2 lbH. M'd Courtney Pembroke 10 st 13 lb
2 W. B. Close 1st Trinity 11 st 10 lbH. P. Marriott Brasenose 11 st 13 lb
3G. C. Dicker 1st Trinity 11 st 7.5 lbJ. E. Banks University 11 st 11 lb
4W. G. Michell 1st Trinity 11 st 12 lbA. M. Mitchison Pembroke 12 st 10 lb
5E. A. Phillips Jesus 12 st 5 lbH. J. Stayner (P) St John's 12 st 2 lb
6J. A. Aylmer 1st Trinity 12 st 10 lbJ. M. Boustead University 12 st 3 lb
7C. W. Benson 3rd Trinity 11 st 6 lb T. C. Edwards-Moss Brasenose 12 st 5 lb
Stroke H. E. Rhodes (P) Jesus 11 st 8 lbJ. P. Way Brasenose 10 st 12 lb
Cox G. L. Davis Clare 6 st 10 lbE. O. Hopwood Christ Church 8 st 3 lb
Source: [11]
(P) – boat club president [12]

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

Oxford were considered clear pre-race favourites to win their first Boat Race in five years; conditions were inclement with a "nasty north-west wind" but a "fair tide". [10] They lost the toss and Cambridge elected to start from the Middlesex station, handing Oxford the Surrey side of the river. [11] The race commenced at 1:13 p.m., and Cambridge made the better start, taking the lead from the outset with a higher stroke rate. Half a length ahead after a minute, the Light Blues nearly had a clear water advantage but tired in the strong headwind, and started to be caught by Craven Steps, around 1,000 yards (910 m) along the course. [10] About a mile into the race, one of the Cambridge crew broke a slide. [13]

The crews were level at the Crab Tree pub and by Hammersmith Bridge, and with the advantage of the bend in the river, Oxford were clear and went on to win by ten lengths in a time of 22 minutes 2 seconds. It was their first victory since 1869 and took the overall record in the event to 17–15 in their favour. [14]

Related Research Articles

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 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 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 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 having been behind at Hammersmith Bridge.

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 28th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on the 1 April 1871. The race, umpired by Joseph William Chitty, was won by Cambridge by one length in a time of 23 minutes 10 seconds for their second consecutive victory.

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.

The 38th 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 8 April 1881. In a race umpired by Robert Lewis-Lloyd, Oxford won by a margin of three lengths in a time of 21 minutes 51 seconds taking the overall record to 20–17 in their favour.

The 51st Boat Race took place on 17 March 1894. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. Oxford went into the race leading by 27–22 in the event, and of the eighteen participants, half had previous Boat Race experience. Umpired by former rower Frank Willan, Oxford won the race by 3+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 39 seconds, for their fifth consecutive victory in the event. It was the largest margin of victory since the 1883 race.

The 59th Boat Race took place on 22 March 1902. 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. Although Oxford used swivel rowlocks for the first time in the history of the race, Cambridge won by five lengths in a time of 19 minutes 9 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 33–25 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 4 December 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 3 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Course". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Burnell, p. 104
  6. ↑ Burnell, p. 108
  7. ↑ Burnell, p. 97
  8. ↑ Burnell, pp. 98–102
  9. ↑ Burnell, pp. 49, 97
  10. 1 2 3 4 Drinkwater, p. 69
  11. 1 2 3 Burnell, p. 61
  12. ↑ Burnell, pp. 49–50
  13. ↑ Rouse Ball, W. W. (1908). A History of The First Trinity Boat Club. Bowes & Bowes. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2014.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.