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The Boat Race
The annual race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities has a history dating back to 1829. This account by G.E.Mitton, published in 1906 in "The Thames" by Mortimer Menpes, conjures up a picture in Edwardian times.
"The hour of the race varies according to the tide, for the race is rowed at the "top of the tide" - when it is at it's fullest. If the hour be an easy one - about mid-day - and the weather is promising, and especially if the reports of the prowess of the crews give reason to believe the race will be a close one, then the crowd is very large indeed".
"Some prefer to watch the start; some enthusiasts keep up with the boats on water the whole way; but a great majority there are those who want to see the last effort between Hammersmith and Barnes Bridges, for it is almost a certainty that the crew leading at Barnes Bridge will be the winner."
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The Boat Race, 1865 |
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Putney Embankment, 1905 |
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"The road along by Mortlake is lined with crowds; every window is filled, and all available roofs. On the railway bridge are closely-packed ranks of people, brought there and deposited by trains, which afterwards decorously withdraw and wait to pick them up again. The price of this first-rate position is included in the fares."
"Chiswick Meadows afford space for many more persons, who usually pay a shilling a head to the land-holders. This is a very favourite position, because the grassy slopes form such a pleasant seat while the inevitable waiting is gone through."
"In the river itself lie several steamers packed with passengers, and also various small boats. Then down comes the launch of the Thames Conservators to clear the course. The long strings of barges, which have been taking advantage of the flowing tide, to make their way up-stream, are seen no more."
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"A gun goes off, and then, an extraordinarily short time after, a murmur begins among the crowds on the Mortlake side. It grows and grows and swells along the Chiswick shore, as first one boat creeps round the corner, and then the other. "Cambridge wins; Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridge!" "Row up, Oxford!""
"Then, perhaps - usually - it is seen that one boat is leading by so many lengths as to make it impossible for the other to catch up. The leading boat goes ahead with a straight, splendid swing into clear water. The losing one, getting into its opponent's wash, rocks as it labours on, its crew lose heart, and the distance widens".
"Close behind are the umpire's launch and a dozen others gliding along, keeping just behind the backward crew. And when all have passed, the river, so calm before, is churned up into miniature waves that wash and beat on the banks. Presently the umpire's boat is seen coming swiftly back, bearing the winning flag at the bows over the other."
"The trains move slowly forward to pick up the passengers; bicycles, motors, and carriages begin to move off; streams of people pour down every road; and all is over for another year."
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Introduction
The Boat Race
