The Boat Race 1886

Last updated

43rd Boat Race
Date3 April 1886 (1886-04-03)
WinnerCambridge
Margin of victory2/3 of a length
Winning time22 minutes 30 seconds
Overall record
(CambridgeOxford)
1923
Umpire Robert Lewis-Lloyd

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.

Contents

Background

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 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] First held in 1829, the race takes place on the 4.2 miles (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London. [2] The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities; it is followed throughout the United Kingdom and as of 2014, broadcast worldwide. [3] [4] Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race by 2+12 lengths and held the overall lead, with 23 victories to Cambridge's 18 (excluding the "dead heat" of 1877). [5] [6]

Oxford's coach was F. P. Bully. Cambridge were coached by Thomas Edmund Hockin (who rowed for the Light Blues four times in the 1876, 1877, 1878 and 1879 races), Charles William Moore (who represented Cambridge in the 1881, 1882, 1883 and 1884 races), and Herbert Edward Rhodes (who rowed in the 1873, 1874, 1875 and 1876 races). [7]

The umpire for the race was Robert Lewis-Lloyd (who had rowed for Cambridge four times between 1856 and 1859). [8] Hammersmith Bridge was undergoing repair and during practice, the crews struggled to negotiate side-by-side rowing through the same arch without fouling. It was agreed that should such a foul occur during the race, a restart above the bridge would take place, with a new finishing line near Kew. Two sets of oars were taken on the umpire's launch should such an eventuality arise and a clash result in irreparable damage. [9]

Crews

The Oxford crew weighed an average of 12  st 3.75  lb (77.7 kg), 4 pounds (1.8 kg) more than their opponents. [10] Cambridge's crew contained three former Blues, including their boat club president Frederick Islay Pitman and Steve Fairbairn, both of whom were rowing in their third Boat Race. Oxford saw six rowers return to the crew, including the boat club president Douglas McLean who was making his fourth appearance in the event, and rowing with his brother Hector for the second consecutive year. [10] There were two non-British registered participants in the race: Australians Fairbairn (for Cambridge) and W. St L. Robertson (for Oxford). [11]

A caricature published in Vanity Fair of Stanley Muttlebury, who rowed for Cambridge in the number six seat. Muttlebury SD Vanity Fair 1890-03-22.jpg
A caricature published in Vanity Fair of Stanley Muttlebury, who rowed for Cambridge in the number six seat.
SeatOxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg
Cambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow W. S. Unwin Magdalen 10 st 11 lbC. J. Bristowe Trinity Hall 10 st 8.5 lb
2L. S. R. Byrne Trinity 11 st 11.5 lb N. P. Symonds Lady Margaret Boat Club 10 st 10 lb
3W. St L. Robertson Wadham 11 st 7.5 lbJ. Walmsley Trinity Hall 12 st 1 lb
4C. R. Carter Corpus Christi 13 st 0.5 lb A. D. Flower Clare 12 st 8.5 lb
5 H. McLean New College 12 st 12 lb S. Fairbairn Jesus 13 st 9 lb
6F. O. Wethered Christ Church 12 st 6 lb S. D. Muttlebury 3rd Trinity 13 st 3 lb
7 D. H. McClean (P) New College 13 st 0 lbC. Barclay 3rd Trinity 12 st 4 lb
Stroke H. Girdlestone Magdalen 12 st 9.25 lb F. I. Pitman (P) 3rd Trinity 11 st 10.5 lb
Cox W. E. Maynard Exeter 7 st 12 lbG. H. Baker Queens' 6 st 9 lb
Source: [12]
(P) boat club president [13]

Race

Cambridge became the first crew to come from behind at Barnes Bridge to win the Boat Race. BarnesRailwayBridgeUpstream.jpg
Cambridge became the first crew to come from behind at Barnes Bridge to win the Boat Race.

Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station, handing the Middlesex station to Cambridge. [9] Commencing at 1.38 p.m., [14] the Light Blues made the better start and by the time the crews passed Craven Cottage, they held just less than a half-length lead. Oxford began to close the gap, and by the soap works, the boats were level. On the approach to Hammersmith Bridge, the coxes "steered with such accuracy and nerve as they had never shown in practice" and both crews were able to shoot the bridge safely, with only a "few inches to spare". [9] Rowing into rough water, Oxford started to pull away and between Chiswick and Barnes Bridge, the lead increased to more than two lengths. At the bridge, Cambridge made a push and increased their rating to 40 strokes per minute, sustaining the drive for three minutes and overtaking Oxford, passing the finishing post by a margin of two-thirds of a length. [14] The winning time was 22 minutes 30 seconds and the win was Cambridge's second victory in three years, taking the overall record to 2319 in Oxford's favour. [12]

It was the first time the winning crew had come from behind at Barnes Bridge to win. [15] According to author and former Oxford rower George Drinkwater, "never in the whole history of the Boatrace (sic) has there been a contest more thrilling to watch or more sensational in its result." [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1920</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 72nd Boat Race took place on 27 March 1920. Generally 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. As a result of the First World War, this was the first race for six years: Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous race held in 1914. Both universities had participated in various Peace Regattas in 1919. In this year's race, umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by four lengths in a time of 21 minutes 11 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 39–32 in Oxford's favour.

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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 39th Boat Race took place on 1 April 1882. 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 former Cambridge rower Robert Lewis-Lloyd, Oxford won by a margin of seven lengths in a time of 20 minutes 12 seconds, taking the overall record to 21–17 in their favour.

The 40th 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 15 March 1883. Following confusion at the start of the race and a snow storm during the event, Oxford won by a margin of 3+12 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 18 seconds.

The 41st Boat Race took place on 7 April 1884. 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, for which Robert Lewis-Lloyd acted as both umpire and starter for the first time, was won by Cambridge by margin of 2+12 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 39 seconds. The victory took the overall record in the event to 22–18 in Oxford's favour.

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.

The 46th Boat Race took place on 30 March 1889. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge along the River Thames. For the first time in the history of the event, all eight rowers in the Cambridge crew had rowed the previous year. Cambridge won by three lengths in a time of 20 minutes 14 seconds, their fourth consecutive victory which took the overall record in the event to 23–22 in Oxford's favour.

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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+12 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 52nd Boat Race took place on 30 March 1895. The Boat Race is an annual side-by-side rowing race along the River Thames between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The 1895 race was umpired by former Oxford rower Frank Willan with one of the Oxford coaches, R. C. Lehmann being a former Cambridge alumnus. Although Cambridge made the quicker start, Oxford recovered, had the lead by Hammersmith Bridge, and won by 2+14 lengths in a time of 20 minutes 50 seconds. It was their sixth victory in a row and took the overall record in the event to 29–22 in Oxford's 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 68th Boat Race took place on 1 April 1911. 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. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. Umpired by former Cambridge rower Frederick I. Pitman, Oxford won by 2+34 lengths in a time of 18 minutes 29 seconds, taking their overall lead in the competition to 37–30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1913</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 70th Boat Race took place on 13 March 1913. 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. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. The two crews contained a total of five medallists from the 1912 Summer Olympics. Umpired by former Cambridge rower Frederick I. Pitman, Oxford won this year's race by three-quarters of a length in a time of 20 minutes 53 seconds. The victory took the overall record in the event to 39–30 in their favour.

The 73rd Boat Race took place on 30 March 1921. 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, with the heavier crew, went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. In total, nine of the participants in this year's race had previous Boat Race experience, and five had won a silver medal in the 1920 Summer Olympics. In this year's race, umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by one length in a time of 19 minutes 45 seconds. It was Cambridge's third consecutive win, the fastest winning time since 1913 and the narrowest margin of victory since 1913. The result took the overall record to 39–33 in Oxford's favour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1922</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 74th Boat Race took place on 1 April 1922. 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 went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race, and had the significantly heavier crew. Four of the Oxford crew and three of the Cambridge crew had previous Boat Race experience. In this year's race, umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by 4+12 lengths in a time of 19 minutes 27 seconds. It was Cambridge's fourth consecutive victory, the largest winning margin since 1914 and the fastest winning time since 1911.

<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 79th Boat Race took place on 2 April 1927. 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. Oxford's crew was marginally heavier than their opponents, and saw five participants return with Boat Race experience, compared to Cambridge's four. Umpired for the first time by former Oxford rower Charles Burnell, Cambridge won by three lengths in a time of 20 minutes 14 seconds. It was the first race in the history of the event to be broadcast live on BBC Radio. The victory took the overall record in the event to 40–38 in Oxford's favour. The inaugural Women's Boat Race was contested this year, with Oxford securing the victory.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Dark Blues aim to punch above their weight". The Observer . 6 April 2003. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  2. Smith, Oliver (25 March 2014). "University Boat Race 2014: spectators' guide". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  3. "Former Winnipegger in winning Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race crew". CBC News. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. "TV and radio". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  5. "Classic moments – the 1877 dead heat". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  6. "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  7. Burnell, pp. 110111
  8. Burnell, p. 106
  9. 1 2 3 4 Drinkwater, p. 88
  10. 1 2 Burnell, p. 63
  11. Burnell, p. 38
  12. 1 2 Dodd, p. 307
  13. Burnell, pp. 5051
  14. 1 2 Drinkwater, p. 89
  15. "Eton oarsmen to the fore". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 18 December 2014.

Bibliography