The Boat Race 1895

Last updated

52nd Boat Race
Date30 March 1895 (1895-03-30)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory2+1⁄4 lengths
Winning time20 minutes 50 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		22–29
Umpire Frank Willan
(Oxford)
← 1894 1896 →

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+1⁄4 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.

Contents

Background

R. C. Lehmann coached Oxford, despite having been a Cantabrigian and former captain of 1st Trinity Boat Club. R.C.Lehmann.jpg
R. C. Lehmann coached Oxford, despite having been a Cantabrigian and former captain of 1st Trinity Boat Club.

The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the boat clubs of 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; as of 2014 it is followed throughout the United Kingdom and broadcast worldwide. [4] [5] [6] Oxford went into the 1895 race as reigning champions, having beaten Cambridge by 3+1⁄2 lengths in the previous year's race, and held the overall lead, with 28 victories to Cambridge's 22 (excluding the "dead heat" of 1877). [7] [8]

Oxford's coaches were G. C. Bourne (who rowed for Oxford in the 1882 and 1883 races), Douglas McLean (an Oxford Blue five times from 1883 through 1887), and R. C. Lehmann. Lehmann was a former president of the Cambridge Union Society and captain of the 1st Trinity Boat Club; although he had rowed in the trial eights for Cambridge, he was never selected for the Blue boat. [9] The Cambridge team was coached by Stanley Muttlebury (who rowed for Cambridge five times between the 1886 and 1890 races). [10]

Both crews suffered variously during the buildup to the race. A hard frost which persisted late into the season hindered training, forcing both crews to move to Bourne End and more open water. Both crews were then struck by influenza, Cambridge three weeks before the race and Oxford the week of the race itself. [11] As such, Cambridge were in good form going into the race, Oxford less so. [12]

James Brooks Close was the non-rowing president of the Cambridge University Boat Club – he had rowed in the 1872, 1873 and 1874 races. [13] His election was considered by author and former Oxford rower George Drinkwater as "a bold step" in an attempt to overcome dissension as a result of Cambridge's heavy defeat the prior year. [13] Close was called away during the crew's practice, and Francis Cargill Begg took captaincy of the crew. [13] The umpire for the race for the seventh year in a row was Frank Willan who won the event four consecutive times, rowing for Oxford in the 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869 races. [14]

Crews

The Oxford crew weighed an average of 12  st 1.875  lb (76.9 kg), 1.125 pounds (0.5 kg) per rower more than their opponents. [15] Cambridge's cox Francis Cargill Begg was the only Light Blue participant with Boat Race experience, having steered the boat in the previous year's race. Oxford's crew contained six rowers who had previously rowed in the event, including Hugh Benjamin Cotton and Charles Murray Pitman, both of whom were taking part in their fourth consecutive race. Seven of the Oxford crew were educated at Eton College. [15]

Hugh Benjamin Cotton, rowing at bow for Oxford, was participating in his fourth race. Cotton HB Vanity Fair 1894-03-15.jpg
Hugh Benjamin Cotton, rowing at bow for Oxford, was participating in his fourth race.
SeatOxford
Oxford-University-Circlet.svg 		Cambridge
University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg
NameCollegeWeightNameCollegeWeight
Bow H. B. Cotton Magdalen 9 st 13 lbT. B. Hope Trinity Hall 10 st 11 lb
2M. C. Pilkington Magdalen 12 st 4 lbF. C. Stewart Trinity Hall 12 st 1.5 lb
3C. K. Phillips New College 11 st 12 lbH. A. Game 1st Trinity 12 st 2 lb
4T. H. E. Stretch New College 12 st 4 lbW. S. Adie 1st Trinity 13 st 2.5 lb
5W. Burton Stewart Brasenose 13 st 7.5 lbT. J. G. Duncanson Emmanuel 13 st 3 lb
6 C. D. Burnell Magdalen 13 st 0.5 lbR. Y. Bonsey Lady Margaret Boat Club 12 st 4 lb
7W. E. Crum New College 12 st 2 lbA. S. Bell Trinity Hall 11 st 2 lb
Stroke C. M. Pitman (P) New College 12 st 0 lbD. A. Wauchope Trinity Hall 11 st 9 lb
Cox C. P. Serocold New College 8 st 1 lbF. C. Begg Trinity Hall 8 st 9 lb
Source: [16]
(P) – boat club president [17]
James B. Close acted as non-rowing president for Cambridge.

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 Surrey station, handing the Middlesex side of the river to Cambridge. [15] In a heavy wind and a strong tide, Willan started the race at 4:08 p.m. Cambridge, outrating their opponents at the start, took an early lead, but Oxford's steady rhythm drew them back level and then ahead. By Hammersmith Bridge, the Dark Blues held a lead of three-quarters of a length and took advantage of Cambridge experiencing rough water. With a well-timed spurt from Oxford's boat club president and stroke Pitman, the Dark Blues went clear of Cambridge and held a two-length lead by the time they reached Chiswick. [13]

With a lead of three lengths by Barnes Bridge, Oxford slowed to a paddle and passed the finishing post with a lead of two and a quarter lengths, in a winning time of 20 minutes 50 seconds. [13] It was the Dark Blues' sixth consecutive victory and took the overall record to 29–22 in their favour. [8]

Related Research Articles

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

The 48th Boat Race took place on 21 March 1891. 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 24–22 in the event overall. In total, eight rowers who were participating had previous Boat Race experience. Umpired by former Oxford rower Frank Willan, pre-race favourites Oxford won by half-a-length in a time of 21 minutes 48 seconds. It was Oxford's narrowest winning margin since the 1867 race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boat Race 1892</span> Oxford versus Cambridge rowing race

The 49th Boat Race took place on 9 April 1892. 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 event as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. In total, twelve of the competitors had previous Boat Race experience. In a race umpired by former rower Frank Willan, Oxford won by 2+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 19 minutes 10 seconds. It was their third consecutive victory and the fastest in the history of the event at that time.

The 50th Boat Race took place on 22 March 1893. 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 event as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. In a race umpired by former rower Frank Willan, Oxford won by a length and a quarter in a time of 18 minutes 45 seconds which was, at the time, the fastest in the history of the event. It was their fourth consecutive victory and took the overall record to 27–22 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 53rd Boat Race took place on 28 March 1896. 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 rower Frank Willan, Oxford won by two-fifths of a length in a time of 20 minutes 1 second, taking the overall record in the event to 30–22 in their favour. It was their seventh consecutive victory and the narrowest winning margin since 1877.

The 54th Boat Race took place on 3 April 1897. 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 as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race. The crews were almost evenly matched weight-wise, Oxford marginally the heavier, whose crew consisted almost entirely of veterans of the event. In a race umpired by former rower Frank Willan, Oxford won by 2+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 19 minutes 12 seconds, the victory taking the overall record to 31–22 in their favour. It was Oxford's eighth consecutive victory and the third fastest winning time in the history of the event.

The 56th Boat Race took place on 25 March 1899. 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 won, their first success in a decade, by 3+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 4 seconds. The victory took the overall record in the event to 32–23 in Oxford's favour.

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.

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+1⁄2 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.

The 64th Boat Race took place on 16 March 1907. 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 were reigning champions, having won the previous year's race, and more than half their crew had already participated in the event. In a race umpired by Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by 4+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 20 minutes 26 seconds. It was their second consecutive victory and their fifth win in six races, taking the overall record in the event to 34–29 in Oxford's 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 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.

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

The 76th Boat Race took place on 5 April 1924. 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 were reigning champions, having won the previous year's race, and their crew was significantly heavier than their opponents for this year's race. Umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by 4+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 18 minutes 41 seconds, the fastest time since 1911. The victory took the overall record in the event to 40–35 in Oxford's favour.

The 78th Boat Race took place on 27 March 1926. 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. Umpired by former rower Frederick I. Pitman, Cambridge won by five lengths in a time of 19 minutes 29 seconds in the largest winning margin since 1912. It was Cambridge's third consecutive victory and took the overall record in the event to 40–37 in Oxford's favour.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Dark Blues aim to punch above their weight". The Observer . 6 April 2003. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  2. ↑ Smith, Oliver (25 March 2014). "University Boat Race 2014: spectators' guide". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Course". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Former Winnipegger in winning Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race crew". CBC News. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "TV and radio". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Markovits, Andrei; Rensmann, Lars (6 June 2010). Gaming the World: How Sports Are Reshaping Global Politics and Culture. Princeton University Press. pp. 287–288. ISBN   978-0691137513.
  7. ↑ "Classic moments – the 1877 dead heat". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Men – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Searby, Peter (6 November 1997). A History of the University of Cambridge: Volume 3, 1750–1870. Cambridge University Press. p. 664. ISBN   978-0521350600.
  10. ↑ Burnell, pp. 110–111
  11. ↑ Drinkwater, pp. 100–101
  12. ↑ Drinkwater, p. 101
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Drinkwater, p. 100
  14. ↑ Burnell, pp. 49, 59
  15. 1 2 3 Burnell, p. 66
  16. ↑ Dodd, p. 311
  17. ↑ Burnell, pp. 50–51

Bibliography

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