THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 113, 13 May 1878, Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

The thirty-fifth race between the Oxford and Cambridge crews on the River Thames was over the usual course from Putney to Mortlake, four miles and two furlongs. The race resulted in an easy victory for Oxford. This makes eighteen victories for Oxford, while Cambridge has been successful in sixteen races, and one (last year) was a dead heat. The morning broke hazy and slightly overcast, but was calm and mild, and by half - paat nine o'clock the sun was shining and the weather perfect for the race. The water waa smooth, and the crowd of spectatora was immenae along the entire cour»e, especially at the two enda. Flitting craft of all kinds gave the river an animated appearance. The batting at Putney before the start waa 4 to I on Oxford, which was freely offered, but there were no takers, the result being considered certain. A capital start was effected at a quarter paat ten o'clock. Cambridge had the Middlesex side of the river, and Oxford the Surrey side. Cambridge got off first, rowing a faster stroke than Oxford, and led by about a third of a length when off Simmond's Yard, two furlongs from the starting point, and continued to increase this advantage somewhat on the first reach, and when off Biahop's Creek, three furlongs from Putney, the Cambridge boat was almost half a length ahead. Cambridge slightly added to thia advantage, and just below the site of the old half-mile-post, led by something like two-thirds of a length. But at the lower end of the garden of Craven Cottage, three furlongs from Bishop's Creek, wbere Cambridge was rowing thirty-eight strokes to the minute Oxford. began to come up fast, and rapidly, gained, until at the Grass Wharf she had got upon even terma with Cambridge, aud the two boata rowed oar and oar past Rose Bank Villa. Off the Crab Tree, a mile and two furlonga from Putney, Oxford was showing in front, and quickly drew ahead, the Cambridge crew being unsteady and irregular. Off the Soap Works Oxford was clear ahead, rowing away frora her opponent, and led through Hammersmith Bridge, a mile and six furlongs from Putney, by about two lengths. From this point the race requires no description. Oxford quickly increased her lead, being a full dozen lengths ahead at Cheswick Church, two milea and five furlonga from Putney, continued a long way in front to the end, and won very easily by about 35 aeconda in time, or by many lengths, iv 22 minutes 22 aeconda.