THE FIRST UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2014, 18 June 1875, Page 4

THE FIRST UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

The following extract from Bell's Life of June 14,1829, gives an account, in the correct sporting style of the period, of the first University boat-race that was ever rowed:.—" The grand rowing matclr he- j tween nine collegians of the Cambridge j and nine of the Oxford Universities, for 600 guinea!, as it yrfiLS\said, took placo on Wednesday evening, in the fine sheet of water extending from''Henley Bridge to HambledonMill,iDthe close vicinity of the Abbey of Medmenham. Such interest did this match excite among amateurs from London, Oxford, and Cambridge, and other places within fifty miles of Henley Bridge, that numbers repaired to the latter place several days previous to its taking place; on the night prior scarcely a bed was to be had for love or money, and it has been asserted that six guineas were offered and refused for an apartment facing- the water. The ;betting for some time was in favor of the Cambridge gentlemen, but it being ascertained that their opponents were using every precaution, and leaving nothing untried in the way of training beforehand, added which it was said they were all good men, the betting materially veered round in their favour, and it subsequently became scarcely possible for anyone to get a bet that the Cambridge did not come off the victors. Long previous to the time of starting, Henly Beach was crowded with cutters, &c, and the assembled multitude of spectators was innumerable. About six o'clock the contending parties pulled up to Hambledon Lock, the Oxford in' one of their superior boats, and the Cambridge^jn the one built by Searle and Co., , Lambeth, which for lightness and scientific construction was, perhaps, never., surpassed. One of the! conditions of. the match was that there should be no fouling, and on the signal being given for' starting, the boats, came in collision; consequently they were; compelled to return. On going off the second time, the Oxford boat took the lead; but previous to her going ahead they touched each other slightly, and the Cambridge for a moment appeared to , consider whether they should proceed or, return to the starting place. The Oxford collegians proceeded in their work in most ; gallant style, and the Cambridge followed; several yards in the rear. Gradually did the leading boat go ahead, and notwithstanding the Cambridge! exerted themselves to the utmost to come up with their opponents,; the winning boat came in first by about sixty yards, amid tke most astounding oheers from the countless throng. The distance rowed was about two miles against the current, and was accomplished in about fourteen minutes. Notwithstanding the disadvantage Cambridge sustained in only for a moment considering, as they appeared,to do, whether they should proceed or return, "when they slightly fouled each othar, their antagonists were evidently too much for tSem at any time, and under any circumstances, and it was the opinion of a number ; of amateurs that they were overmatched. So elated, it is said, are the Orford amateurs with "their 'success that nothing is more probable, than a grand match between them and the London gentlemen. Such a match, we are certain would prove exceedingly interesting, and if such a contest is in contemplation, the sooner it is made the better." It is to be hoped that the story about the stake of £500—although such a thing would have been quite in accordance with the spirit of the time—is not strictly accurate, as in the Cambridge boat the present Bishop of Licbfield pulled the seventh oar, while Dean Merivale and Dr Bayford sat behind him; and in the Oxford boat, behind Mr Stainforth, of Storrs-hall, Windermere, the fourth and sixth thwarts were filled by the present Bishop of St Andrew's and the late Dean, Gamier.