VARSITY BOAT RACE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10597, 1 April 1912, Page 5

VARSITY BOAT RACE

OXFORD V. CAMBRIDGE BOTH BOATS SWAMPED. (Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) LONDON, March 31. " A strong westerly wind prevailed, and the water was choppy for the University Boat Race on the Thames River between Oxford and Cambridge. Oxford won the toss, and starting at Surrey station quickly established a lead of half a length. Tliis was increased to five lengths at Ha mod's, where the Cambridge boat was swamped. Some of tho crow swam .ashore, and the rest were rescued by boats. The Oxford boat continued to plough steadily through the water, but it also sank when opposite Chornjcrioft's. • Th« crew-swam ashore, emptied tho boat, and re-embarked. They paddled steadily to Mortlake, and finished the course in 29 minutes. The race was declared void.

DETAILS. OF MISHAPS. - A SEVERE GRUELLING. RACE TO BE ROWED TQfPAY; Received This Morning, 12.15 oMook. LONDON, March 31. The Cambridge crew,- which occupied the outer position, felt tho heavy weather earlier than Oxford. Their boat shipped water shortly after the start. After a mile had ibeen rowed, Cambridge dropped out of the race, their boa sinking. BpuMjngJKan'od's the iboab was "th'ecrew went overboard. The OxfordAilbpat hugged the shore, : filling it was puiled ashore at Ohiswiek and emptied. The crew resumed, rowing, bub tho boat was again water-logged at the finish. The crew had a severe gruelling. The race was declared "no race,'' owing to others than..the crew having lihelpedi Oxford to bale out the boat at Chiswick. The race will be re-rowed „on Monday,

Mr D. C. Collins, a son of Dr. Collins, M.L.C., of Wellington:, wis z member of the Cambridge team this year. ; : The University 'boat race ; was first rowedvin 1839, and resulted in a victory for Cambridge. Since that time Cambridge has VK&ii on 29 occasions, and Oxford on 36. In 1845, 1844, 1847 and 184& there'Ws no race, and in 1877 the only dead heat in the history of the famous event took place. In 1859 the Cambridge boat sank, being the only case on record similar to this year's mishap.