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The Boat Race 1885

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42nd Boat Race
Date28 March 1885 (1885-03-28)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory2+1⁄2 lengths
Winning time21 minutes 36 seconds
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		18–23
UmpireRobert Lewis-Lloyd
(Cambridge)
← 1884 1886 →

The 42nd Boat Race took place on 28 March 1885. 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. In a race umpired by former Cambridge rower Robert Lewis-Lloyd, the lead changed hands several times. Oxford won by a margin of 2+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 36 seconds. The victory took the overall record to 23–18 in favour of Oxford.

Background

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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] Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having won the previous year's race by 2+1⁄2 lengths, while Oxford held the overall lead, with 22 victories to Cambridge's 18 (excluding the "dead heat" of 1877).[5][6]

Oxford's coach was G. C. Bourne, who had rowed for the Dark Blues in the 1882 and 1883 races.[7] There is no record of who coached Cambridge, who were seriously disrupted in the build-up to the race, with Edric Wolseley Haig contracting mumps, J. C. Brown breaking a floating rib and William King Hardacre being introduced to the crew days prior to replace him.[8] The umpire for the race was Robert Lewis-Lloyd (who had rowed for Cambridge four times between 1856 and 1859).[9]

Crews

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The Oxford crew weighed an average of 12 st 6.75 lb (79.1 kg), 7.75 pounds (3.5 kg) more than their opponents.[10] It was the heaviest crew to have ever featured in the Boat Race.[8] Cambridge's crew contained four rowers who had Boat Race experience, including Fraser Elmslie Churchill and Sidney Swann, both of whom were participating in their third race. Similarly, Oxford saw four former Blues return, with Douglas McLean making his third appearance and rowing with his brother Hector for the first time.[10][11]

The race featured one registered non-British participant in Oxford's number two, J. S. Clemons, who originated from Tasmania.[12]

Caricature of Douglas McLean rowed in his third Boat Race, this time along with his brother Hector.
Seat Oxford
Cambridge
Name College Weight Name College Weight
Bow W. S. Unwin Magdalen 10 st 10.5 lb N. P. Symonds Lady Margaret Boat Club 10 st 8 lb
2 J. S. Clemons Corpus Christi 11 st 9 lb W. K. Hardacre Trinity Hall 10 st 8 lb
3 P. W. Taylor Lincoln 13 st 6.5 lb W. H. W. Perrott 1st Trinity 12 st 2.5 lb
4 C. R. Carter Corpus Christi 13 st 2 lb S. Swann Trinity Hall 13 st 3.5 lb
5 H. McLean New College 12 st 12 lb F. E. Churchill (P) 3rd Trinity 13 st 2.5 lb
6 F. O. Wethered Christ Church 12 st 6 lb E. W. Haig 3rd Trinity 11 st 8 lb
7 D. H. McClean New College 13 st 1.5 lb R. H. Coke Trinity Hall 12 st 4 lb
Stroke H. Girdlestone Magdalen 12 st 7 lb F. I. Pitman 3rd Trinity 11 st 11.5 lb
Cox F. J. Humphreys Brasenose 8 st 2 lb G. Wilson Trinity 7 st 11 lb
Source:[13]
(P) – boat club president (R. S. de Haviland was Oxford's non-rowing president)[14]

Race

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The Championship Course, along which the race is conducted

Cambridge were pre-race favourites.[15] Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station, handing the Middlesex side of the river to Cambridge. The race started at 12:26 p.m. in fine weather on a moderate tide. Although Oxford made the better start, Cambridge held a half-of-a-length lead by the time the crews passed the Craven Steps. With the advantage of the bend in the river, the Oxford stroke H. Girdlestone, without increasing the stroke rate, took his crew level, and ahead at the Mile Post. Although the Cambridge stroke Frederick Pitman tried to restore parity by encouraging a spurt, Oxford held the Light Blues off and by Hammersmith Bridge held a length's lead. Despite appearing "as if the crew going to pieces" after some difficult conditions, Oxford extended their lead to two lengths by The Doves pub.[15] Approaching Barnes Bridge, the Dark Blues had to avoid a skiff, allowing Cambridge to come back at them, before pushing on once again on to win by 2+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 36 seconds, and took the overall record to 23–18 in Oxford's favour.[6][13]

After the race it was noted that the Oxford number three, P. W. Taylor, had dislocated his shoulder but had continued despite his injury.[15]

References

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Notes

  1. ^ a b "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. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. 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. ^ a b "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  7. ^ Burnell, pp. 96, 110
  8. ^ a b Drinkwater, p. 86
  9. ^ Burnell, p. 106
  10. ^ a b Burnell, p. 63
  11. ^ Burnell, p. 42
  12. ^ Burnell, p. 38
  13. ^ a b Dodd, p. 306
  14. ^ Burnell, pp. 50–51
  15. ^ a b c Drinkwater, p. 87

Bibliography

  • Burnell, Richard (1979). One Hundred and Fifty Years of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Precision Press. ISBN 0950063878.
  • Dodd, Christopher (1983). The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. Stanley Paul. ISBN 0091513405.
  • Drinkwater, G. C.; Sanders, T. R. B. (1929). The University Boat Race – Official Centenary History. Cassell & Company, Ltd.
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