The Boat Race 1876

Last updated

33rd Boat Race
Date8 April 1876 (1876-04-08)
WinnerCambridge
Margin of victory"Easily"
Winning time20 minutes 20 seconds
Overall record
(CambridgeOxford)
16–17
Umpire Joseph William Chitty
(Oxford)

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.

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 since 1845 has taken place on the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London. [2] [3] Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having defeated Cambridge by ten lengths in the previous year's race, and led overall with seventeen wins to Cambridge's fifteen. [4]

Cambridge were coached by Constantine William Benson who had rowed for Cambridge in the 1872, 1873 and 1875 races, [5] and James Brooks Close who had represented the Light Blues in the 1872, 1873 and 1874 races. [6] [7] There is no record of who coached Oxford. 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. [8]

Crews

Both crews weight an average of 11  st 13.875  lb (76.0 kg). The Cambridge crew contained three former Blues: William Brooks Close, cox George Latham Davies and Herbert Rhodes (rowing in his fourth Boat Race). [9] Oxford saw six Blues return, including H. J. Stayner who was making his third Boat Race appearance. [9] Author and rower G. C. Drinkwater stated that the placement of Tom Edwards-Moss, described as "one of the best sevens that ever rowed", at stroke was a mistake. [10] In contrast, Cambridge were "considered by many to be the finest seen at Putney up to that time." [10]

Charles Gurdon rowed at number four for Cambridge. CharlesGurdon.jpg
Charles Gurdon rowed at number four for Cambridge.
SeatCambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg
Oxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow P. W. Brancker Jesus 11 st 3.5 lbH. M'd Courtney Pembroke 11 st 2 lb
2T. W. Lewis Gonville and Caius 11 st 8 lbF. R. Mercer Corpus Christi 11 st 6.5 lb
3 W. B. Close (P) 1st Trinity 11 st 8 lbW. H. Hobart Exeter 11 st 11 lb
4 C. Gurdon Jesus 12 st 9.75 lbA. M. Mitchison Pembroke 13 st 0 lb
5L. G. Pike Gonville and Caius 12 st 9 lbJ. M. Boustead University 12 st 6 lb
6T. E. Hockin Jesus 12 st 8 lbH. J. Stayner (P) St John's 12 st 2.5 lb
7 H. E. Rhodes Jesus 11 st 13 lbH. P. Marriott Brasenose 11 st 9.5 lb
Stroke C. D. Shafto Jesus 11 st 9.5 lb T. C. Edwards-Moss Brasenose 12 st 3.25 lb
Cox G. L. Davis Clare 6 st 13 lbW. D. Craven Worcester 7 st 6.5 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 won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station, handing the Surrey side of the river to Cambridge. [11] Weather conditions were warm but with a "foul wind" in Corney Reach (about 3 miles (4.8 km) along the course), and the race commenced at 2:02 p.m. [13] The crews remained almost level for the first four minutes of the race, after which Cambridge began to pull ahead. By Hammersmith Bridge they had a clear water advantage and were three lengths up by Chiswick Eyot. Extending their lead, the Light Blues were five lengths ahead by The Ship pub. When Oxford finally passed the pub, they stopped, "apparently unaware that they had not completed the course". [10] Author and former Oxford rower Dickie Burnell suggested the course was approximately 60 yards (55 m) too long. [11]

Cambridge, having sprinted to the finish, received the finishing gun while eight lengths ahead. As a result of the confusion, the judge declared the winning distance as four lengths. [10] However, official records state that Cambridge won the race "easily", in a time of 20 minutes 20 seconds. It was their sixth win in seven years and took the overall record to 17–16 in Oxford's favour. [4]

Related Research Articles

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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+12 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 23 seconds.

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.

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

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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.

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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 47th Boat Race took place in 1890. Held annually, it is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. The race, umpired by former Oxford rower Frank Willan) was won by Oxford. They passed the finishing post one length ahead of Cambridge in a time of 22 minutes 3 seconds, and took their overall lead in the event to 24–22.

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The 37th 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 22 March 1880 following a postponement two days earlier as a result of thick fog. It is the only time in the history of the event that the race has been rescheduled. Oxford won by a margin of 3+34 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 23 seconds.

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 60th Boat Race took place on 1 April 1903. 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 for the first time by former Cambridge rower Frederick I. Pitman, whose misfiring starter pistol caused confusion at the start, allowing Cambridge to gain an advantage. They went on to win by six lengths in a time of 19 minutes 33 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 33–26 in Oxford's favour.

The 61st Boat Race took place on 26 March 1904. 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. Neither boat club president was able to row through injury. In a race umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by 4+12 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 37 seconds. Their third victory in a row, it took the overall record in the event to 33–27 in Oxford's favour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1924</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

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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 8 December 2014.
  3. "The Course". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  5. Burnell, p. 103
  6. Burnell, p. 104
  7. Burnell, pp. 110–111
  8. Burnell, pp. 49, 97
  9. 1 2 Burnell, pp. 60–61
  10. 1 2 3 4 Drinkwater, p. 70
  11. 1 2 3 Burnell, p. 61
  12. Burnell, pp. 49–50
  13. Drinkwater, pp. 70–71

Bibliography