Eights 1891

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Brasenose 23 23 Brasenose 2 New College 20 20 New College 3 Magdalen 17 17 Magdalen 4 Christ Church 15 15 Christ Church 5 St John's 13 13 St John's 6 Balliol 11 11 Balliol 7 Hertford 10 10 Hertford 8 Keble 8 8 Pembroke 9 Corpus Christi 7 7 Keble 10 Trinity 6 6 Exeter 11 Queen's 6 6 Merton 12 Merton 5 5 Corpus Christi 13 Pembroke 4 4 Queen's 14 Exeter 4 4 University 15 Worcester 3 3 Trinity 16 University 3 3 Worcester 17 Oriel 2 2 St Catherine's 18 St Catherine's 2 2 Wadham 19 Wadham 2 2 Oriel 20 Lincoln 2 2 Lincoln 21 Jesus 1 1 St Mary Hall 22 St Edmund Hall 1 1 Jesus 23 St Mary Hall 1 0 St Edmund Hall

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Pembroke 1[ 1] 5[ 1] 5.00[ 1] Exeter 1[ 1] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 2] University 1[ 1] 2[ 3] 2.00[ 3] St Mary Hall 1[ 1] 2[ 3] 2.00[ 3] St Catherine's 1[ 1] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Wadham 1[ 1] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Merton 1[ 1] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Brasenose 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Balliol 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Hertford 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] St John's 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Christ Church 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Lincoln 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] New College 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Magdalen 1[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Keble 1[ 1] -1[16] -1.00[16] Jesus 1[ 1] -1[16] -1.00[16] Worcester 1[ 1] -1[16] -1.00[16] Queen's 1[ 1] -2[19] -2.00[19] Oriel 1[ 1] -2[19] -2.00[19] Corpus Christi 1[ 1] -3[21] -3.00[21] Trinity 1[ 1] -5[22] -5.00[22] St Edmund Hall 1[ 1] -977[23] -977.00[23]

• 6 days: Thu 14 – Wed 20 May 1891
• St. Edmund Hall withdrew after the third day but, surprisingly, it was the 1st Division that was consequently reduced from 12 to 11 boats (incl. the sandwich boat).
• No additional notes from Sherwood
• Daily coverage in The Times (reproduced here in full) but nothing in The Telegraph
• The Times Fri 15 May

  There was a large attendance on the banks of the Isis yesterday to witness the opening of the summer eight-oar races, which yearly increase in popularity. Brasenose, who have held the position for the past two years, started head of the river, and a notable event in connexion with the races was the reappearance of St. Mary Hall after an absence of ten years.

  The second division started at half-past 4 in the following order :- Merton, Pembroke, Exeter, Worcester, University, Oriel, St. Catherine's, Wadham, Lincoln, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Mary Hall. Pembroke gained rapidly on Merton, who struggled pluckily, but to no purpose, and near the boathouse were compelled to strike their colours. Exeter at the time being a length in the rear of Pembroke. Exeter were well away from Worcester, who proved no match for University, the latter compelling them to give in at the new cutting.

  At 6 o'clock the first division started in the following order :- Brasenose, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Hertford, Keble, Corpus, Trinity, Queen's, and Pembroke. Contrary to anticipation the racing between the leading boats was not at all close, and Brasenose rowed up in good style two lengths ahead of New. Queen's fell a victim to Pembroke in Iffley Reach.

• The Times Sat 16 May

  The races yesterday were greatly marred by the boisterous winds and heavy showers, alternating with intervals of sunshine, the crews having to contend against the wind during the greater part of the course.

  In the second divison, Merton, who lost their place at the head of the division the previous night, drew rapidly on to Queen's, and before they were well out of the gut, succeeded in recovering their position, Queen's being clean rowed out. Exeter at the time were within a third of a length of Merton, and a good two lengths in advance of University, who were also well away from Worcester. Oriel were unable to maintain their position against St. Catherine's, who failed to catch them on Thursday, the latter making their bump under the willows. Lincoln drew to within a quarter of a length of Wadham, and St. Mary Hall bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Weirs-bridge.

  In the first division, Brasenose had to row hard to escape New, who did much better than on the opening night, and only three-parts of a length divided them at the finish; Magdalen paddled in their distance behind, New, Christ Church getting within a length of Magdalen. The four following boats all came in fully their starting distances apart, but a fine race was witnessed between Corpus, Trinity, and Pembroke. Trinity, however, were the first to give in, Pembroke catching them at the free-water stone, and Corpus consequently paddled up.

• The Times Mon 18 May

  Wintry weather prevailed at Oxford on Saturday, and, besides a low temperature, heavy showers of rain and sleet fell during the afternoon. At intervals, however, the sun shone brightly, and the Second Division was fortunate in this respect, although the cold wind quite spoilt the enjoyment of the numerous spectators. The racing was far more interesting than on the previous days, three bumps being made in the Second Division, and the success of St. Mary Hall, who until this season had not put on a boat for 10 years [actually 1883] was very popular.

  The boats started in the following order :- Second Division Merton, Queen's, Exeter, University, Worcester, St. Catherine's, Oriel, Wadham, Lincoln, Jesus, St. Mary Hall, and St. Edmund Hall. Queen's gained slightly on Merton, but Exeter proved far too fast for the former, whom they caught on entering the gut. University rowed exceedingly well, getting within three-quarters of a length of Merton. Worcester gained somewhat on University. Wadham secured Oriel in the gut, and Jesus succumbed to St. Mary Hall at the Freewater Stone.

  The First Division started at 6 o'clock, and a capital race was witnessed for the headship, Brasenose again maintaining their supremacy after an interesting struggle. The order in which the boats started as as under :- Brasenose, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Hertford, Keble, Corpus, Pembroke, Trinity, and Merton. New gained on Brasenose steadily up to the new cut, but from this point the leaders fully held their own and passed the flag three-quarters of a length to the good. New kept well away from Magdalen, the latter finishing three lengths in their rear, and about the same distance separated them from Christ Church. St. John's, Balliol, and Hertford were well away from each other. Corpus proved no match for Pembroke, who overtook them before the Long Bridges were reached, and Merton, the sandwich boat, gained a place by bumping Trinity at the boathouse.

• The Times Tue 19 May

  Wretched weather prevailed at Oxford yesterday, although the racing in the eights was somewhat favoured, inasmuch as the rain, which had fallen steadily throughout the day, cleared just before the second division started, and there were large numbers on the banks. There was an almost entire absence of wind, and the crews rowed up under far more favourable conditions than hitherto.

  The second division started at half-past 4 in the following order, Merton being the sandwich boat, owing to St. Edmund Hall having retired :- Merton, Trinity, Exeter, Queen's, University, Worcester, St. Catherine's, Wadham, Oriel, Lincoln, St. Mary Hall, and Jesus. Merton lost ground to Trinity, owing to the latter being driven along by Exeter, who secured them on coming out of the Gut. Queen's, University, Worcester, and St. Catherine's all finished about their starting distance apart. Wadham were hard pressed by Oriel. The latter made a shot near the Weir's bridge, but missed and ran into the bank, a proceeding which nearly lost them their place, as Lincoln got dangerously close and finished within a third of a length of them.

  The first division started in the following order at 6 :- Brasenose, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Hertford, Keble, Pembroke, Corpus, Merton, Trinity [?]. Brasenose, rowing better than on any previous occasion, held New College all the way and got home a length and a quarter to the good. Magdalen gained considerably on New up to the Gut, after which the latter drew away again and finished their distance in front. St. John's had a desperate struggle to escape Balliol, who at one time were within a quarter of a length, but they ultimately got home a length to the good. Pembroke secured Keble, after a capital race, at the crossing, and Merton bumped Corpus.

• The Times Wed 22 May

  A great improvement was experienced in the weather yesterday, and, with the exception of a slight shower during the early portion of the afternoon, it was beautifully bright and sunny. The crews, however, had a nasty cross wind to contend against, and there was a stronger stream running than heretofore.

  The second division started at half-past 4 in the following order :- Corpus, Exeter, Trinity, Queen's, University, Worcester, St. Catherine's, Wadham, Oriel, Lincoln, St. Mary Hall, and Jesus. Corpus, who fell to Merton on Monday, fared no better at the hands of Exeter, and the latter, who were very unlucky on the opening nights, gaining steadily from the start, rowed them down and made their bump at the last willow. Trinity rowed hard to escape Queen's, but the latter proved too fast, and regained one of their lost places by bumping them at the red post. University rowed over, Worcester following about their distance; the latter were a length in front of St. Catherine's, who were gained on considerably by Wadham, whilst Oriel had another desperate struggle to escape Lincoln, and finished quarter of a length in front.

  At 6 o'clock the first division started in the following order :- Brasenose, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Hertford, Pembroke, Keble, Merton, Exeter. Brasenose kept their distance up to the gut, but along the willows New gained considerably. Brasenose came away slightly at the crossing, but New stuck well to it, and although B.N.C. put on a good spurt at the Cherwell they had only half a length to spare at the finish. Magdalen made no impression on New, and the next three boats finished well apart. Hertford, however, who were in imminent danger of being caught by Pembroke, pressed Balliol hard throughout, but three yards dividing them at the finish, whilst only two yards separated Pembroke from Hertford.

• The Times Thu 21 May

  After a week of very variable and unsettled weather the May races were brought to a conclusion yesterday evening. There was an immense attendance, both the towing-path and the barges being inconveniently crowded, and a most enthusiastic reception was accorded Brasenose on returning to their barge, this being the third year they have left off head of the river. The first seven boats maintained their positions unchanged throughout the racing, and the most successful boat has been Pembroke, who, with a fine powerful crew, made five bumps. Exeter gained four places and University two; but as regard bumps the racing has on the whole been somewhat uninteresting.

  The Second division started at half-past 4 in the following order :— Merton, Corpus, Queen's, Trinity, University, Worcester, St. Catherine's, Wadham, Oriel, Lincoln, St. Mary Hall, Jesus. Merton, who had previously bumped Corpus, held their own without much trouble and accordingly left off Sandwich boat, but Corpus, on the other hand, had a hard race throughout with Queen's, and the latter only missed bumping them by a quarter of a length. Trinity were once more on the down lines but the reached the Worcester barge before University compelled them to give in. St. Catherine's drew on to Worcester, who however always had half a length the best of it, and Wadham, after getting with a quarter of a length of St. Catherine's, finished three parts of a length in the rear. Lincoln again rowed a good race with Oriel but with no better results and St. Mary Hall brought up the rear.

  The First Division order of starting was as follows :— Brasenose, New, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Hertford, Pembroke, Keble, Exeter, Merton. Brasenose went off in capital form and rowing at high pressure throughout easily held their own; a length and a quarter separating them at the finish. Magdalen, who changed their stroke, were also a good distance behind New, despite the fact that they rowed a much faster stroke, and Christ Church followed two lengths in the rear of the latter. St. John's gained very much on Christ Church, and a capital race was witnessed between Balliol, Hertford, and Pembroke, although no bumps took place.

• In other news ... [1891]

  Monarch: Queen Victoria

  Prime Minister: Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (Conservative)

  Fri 15 May

  Pope Leo XIII issues the encyclical Rerum novarum, on the rights and duties of capital and labour, resulting in the creation of many Christian Democrat parties throughout Europe

  Wed 20 May

  Thomas Edison's prototype kinetoscope is first displayed at Edison's Laboratory, for a convention of the National Federation of Women's Clubs

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