Eights 1896

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Magdalen 22 24 New College 2 New College 20 19 Trinity 3 Trinity 16 16 Magdalen 4 Exeter 14 14 University 5 University 12 12 Balliol 6 St John's 11 11 Exeter 7 Brasenose 9 9 St John's 8 Balliol 8 8 Hertford 9 Hertford 7 7 Brasenose 10 Queen's 6 6 Queen's 11 Christ Church 5 5 Christ Church 12 Keble 4 4 Pembroke 13 Pembroke 4 4 Jesus 14 Wadham 3 3 Keble 15 Worcester 3 3 Wadham 16 Merton 2 2 Corpus Christi 17 Jesus 2 2 Worcester 18 Lincoln 2 2 Merton 19 Oriel 2 1 Lincoln 20 St Catherine's 1 1 St Catherine's 21 Corpus Christi 1 1 Oriel

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg New College 2[ 1] 5[ 1] 2.50[ 4] Corpus Christi 1[ 2] 5[ 1] 5.00[ 1] Jesus 1[ 2] 4[ 3] 4.00[ 2] Balliol 1[ 2] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 3] Pembroke 1[ 2] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Hertford 1[ 2] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] University 1[ 2] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Trinity 1[ 2] 1[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Queen's 1[ 2] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] Christ Church 1[ 2] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] Wadham 1[ 2] -1[11] -1.00[11] St John's 1[ 2] -1[11] -1.00[11] St Catherine's 1[ 2] -1[11] -1.00[11] Brasenose 1[ 2] -2[14] -2.00[14] Magdalen 1[ 2] -2[14] -2.00[14] Exeter 1[ 2] -2[14] -2.00[14] Keble 1[ 2] -2[14] -2.00[14] Worcester 1[ 2] -2[14] -2.00[14] Lincoln 1[ 2] -2[14] -2.00[14] Merton 1[ 2] -3[20] -3.00[20] Oriel 1[ 2] -3[20] -3.00[20]

• 6 days: Thu 21 – Wed 27 May 1896
• Unusually, there was a second boat from New College. Otherwise, from 1860–1907, Eights had been limited to a single crew from each college. It is unclear why an exception was made this year.
• Notes from Sherwood
  • Fourth night: Oriel stopped by a block and had their boat smashed by St. Catharine's.
  • Sixth night: Magdalen fouled their bung and were bumped by Trinity.
• No coverage in The Daily Telegraph.
• The Times Fri 22 May

  In pleasant weather the summer eight-oar races began at Oxford yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a numerous company of visitors. The rivalry between Magdalen and New College has been excessively keen, and it is very doubtful if in the annals of the races two better crews have occupied the first two places on the river.

  The second division started in the following order :— Christ Church, Keble, Pembroke, Wadham, Worcester, Merton, Jesus, Lincoln, Oriel, St. Catherine's, Corpus, New College II. Merton had a hard but brief tussle with Jesus, and they could only get to the Gut before the Welshmen caught them. Lincoln were a distance ahead of Oriel, but the latter lost a lot of ground to St Catherine's, a length separating them at the finish. The last-named were not nearly as fast as Corpus, who gained rapidly at the start, and in Iffley Reach claimed a bump. Corpus stopped, but St. Catherine's did not give way, and New College II ran into Corpus. On being informed that the latter had bumped St. Catherine's, New College II went in pursuit of the latter, and, although they made a grand effort, St. Catherine's just lasted home and passed the post a few inches to the good. The dispute will be settled at a committee meeting.

  The first division started in the following order :— Magdalen, New College, Trinity, Exeter, University, St. John's, Brasenose, Balliol, Hertford, Queen's, Christ Church. Much to everyone's surprise, New College began to gain on Magdalen as soon as they had got fairly under way, and although Gold [presumably H. G. Gold, Magdalen stroke] spurted in gallant fashion, it was evident that New College had the measure of their opponents, and, after getting with a yard or so at the Gut, they made a successful shot just after passing the Willows and secured the headship, to the great delight of their suporters. Trinity, who displayed capital form, easily kept away from Exeter, and, although the latter were not so fast as University, they maintained a wide gap and led home by a length and a half. Three lengths divided University from St. John's, whose immediate attendants, Brasenose, fell victim to Balliol at the free water stone. Queen's gained considerably on Hertford and were within half a length at the finish, whilst Christ Church reduced their distance behind Queen's to three parts of a length.

• The Times Sat 23 May

  The races were continued yesterday in much less favourable weather than on the opening day. The disputed bump between New College II, Corpus, and St. Catherine's was decided in favour of Corpus, who consequently exchanged places with St. Catherine's.

  The second division started in the following order :— Christ Church, Keble, Pembroke, Wadham, Worcester, Jesus, Merton, Lincoln, Oriel, Corpus, St. Catherine's, New College II.

  Christ Church, who are a very powerful crew, had a row over for half the course, as Keble, who on the opening night finished well away from Pembroke, lost ground rapidly from the start, and Pembroke secured them just as they were coming out of the Gut. A capital race was fought out between Wadham and Worcester, the latter being driven along by Jesus, who, although a long way in the rear at the Willows, came up rapidly from the boathouse and got within a quarter of a length at the finish, Worcester being little more than that distance behind Wadham. Oriel were no match for Corpus, who gained rapidly in Iffley reach and made their bump on entering the Gut, while New College II caught St. Catherine's before reaching Weir's-bridge.

  The first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, Trinity, Exeter, University, St. John's, Balliol, Brasenose, Hertford, Queen's, Christ Church. After their victory over Magdalen on the opening night, New College had a very easy task, and, although they indulged in a bit of hard rowing at the outset, they paddled up from the Cherwell and finished two-and-a-half lengths to the good. Three lengths divided Magdalen from Trinity, and there was an even greater gap between the latter and Exeter. University gained considerably on Exeter, and at one point there seemed a chance of their getting up, but Exeter drew away again, and finished a long length ahead. Balliol pressed St. John's, but the latter were better steered and reached home by a third of a length. A similar distance separated Brasenose from Hertford. Queen's drew on the latter to the extent of getting within half a length, and were in turn themselves in danger of being caught by Christ Church, who reduced the starting distance to a quarter of a length.

• The Times Mon 25 May

  The weather was fine on Saturday and the attendance larger than on the two previous days.

  The second division started in the following order :— Christ Church, Pembroke, Keble, Wadham, Worcester, Jesus, Merton, Lincoln, Corpus, Oriel, New College II, and St. Catherine's. Christ Church found it necessary to exert themselves to a greater degree than hitherto, and succeeded in getting home by three-quarters of a length. The efforts of Keble to recover the position they lost of Friday proved futile, although they gained considerably up to the Cherwell, when Pembroke drew away and passed the flag a length and a half in front. Wadham did not give Keble any anxiety and will have all their work to do to escape Jesus to-day, as the latter are represented by one of the strongest crews they have had for years, and on Saturday, after gaining on Worcester from the start, made the bump just before reaching the new boathouse. Corpus rapidly decreased the distance between them and Lincoln, and when Lincoln spurted one of the crew caught a crab which led to their downfall near the Freewater stone. New College II continued their upward progress and displaced Oriel early in the race.

  The First Division started as under :— New College, Magdalen, Trinity, Exeter, University, St. John's, Balliol, Brasenose, Hertford, Queen's, and Christ Church. There is little doubt New College will easily maintain their supremacy and finish at the head of the river. At the Cherwell Magdalen were about within their distance, but from this point New College spurted and drawing away finished three lengths to the good. Trinity could make no impression on Magdalen, and themselves were a long way in front of Exeter. A good race was witnessed between Exeter, University, and St. John's. University got to within half a length of Exeter at the boathouse, and were only a quarter of a length ahead of St. John's at that point, but nearing home Exeter improved their position and St. John's fell back, about a length dividing them at the post, Balliol being a third of a length behind. Brasenose had to give way to Hertford at the crossing, and Christ Church got within half a length of Queen's, the struggle between them, particulary from the Long Bridges, being very exciting.

• The Times Tue 26 May

  The races were very largely attended yesterday, many visitors flocking into the city. The weather was most favourable, a pleasant breeze tempering the heat of the sun, which shone brightly throughout the proceedings.

  The second division started at half-past 4 in the following order :— Christ Church, Pembroke, Keble, Wadham, Jesus, Worcester, Merton, Corpus, Lincoln, New College II, Oriel, and St. Catherine's.

  Christ Church again rowed up head of the division with something to spare, although Pembroke decreased the starting distance somewhat. Keble made a determined effort to recover the place they lost to Pembroke, but although they went a little faster the whole way they could get no nearer than three-quarters of a length. Wadham pressed Keble, but the best race in the division was that between the former and Jesus. The Welshmen came up hand over hand along the Willows and made a fruitless shot at the boathouse, from which point Wadham picked up somewhat, and struggling on in the gamest manner possible they just managed to hold their own and get in a quarter of a length ahead, although they were dreadfully done up. Jesus, in their anxiety to catch Wadham, had left Worcester some lengths in the rear. Corpus continued their successful career, and made their fourth bump by securing Merton in the Gut. New College II quickly ran into Lincoln at Weir's-bridge, and close by Oriel succumbed to St. Catherine's.

  The first division started at 6 o'clock in the following order :— New College I, Magdalen, Trinity, Exeter, University, St. John's, Balliol, Hertford, Brasenose, Queen's, and Christ Church.

  New College I gave a grand display, and rowing up with a splendid swing and plenty of life they led by quite four lengths, a running fire of applause greeting their performance from the boathouse home. Magdalen, too, showed a clean pair of heels to Trinity, who followed three lengths in the rear. Trinity were a length ahead of Exeter, who showed improved form on their Saturday's display, and there was a gap of a length and a quarter between them and University. St. John's had not profited by Sunday's rest to the extent that Balliol had, and struggle as they would were unable to stave off the latter's challenge, Balliol securing them along the Green bank. Hertford finished comfortably a length and a-half in front of Brasenose, who had a hard struggle to keep clear of Queen's. The latter got well within hail at the boathouse, but Brasenose improved their position along the wall and finished three-quarters of a length to the good.

• The Times Wed 27 May

  Yesterday's racing was the last day but one of this year's eights, and the interest in the contests continues unabated. There were only three bumps in the two divisions.

  The Second Division order of starting was as follows :— Christ Church, Pembroke, Keble, Wadham, Jesus, Worcester, Corpus, Merton, New College second, Lincoln, St. Catherine's, and Oriel. Christ Church held their own without any great difficulty. Pembroke lost ground to Keble, who were in turn hard pressed by Jesus [? presumably Wadham], and a good race was witnessed from the Gut between the three boats. Jesus, who had hunted Wadham home the two previous nights, put in a most effective spurt at the crossing, and, rowing with great determination, they were right up at Saunders-bridge, and made their bump at the Worcester Barge, Wadham at the time being within half a length of Keble. Corpus, with a record of four bumps were expected to catch Worcester, but they hardly displayed the same dash as heretofore, and at the finish a clear length separated the two boats. New College second gained rapidly on Merton up Iffley Reach, but it was not until reaching the Gut that the latter were compelled to give in. Lincoln lost ground to St. Catherine's, three-parts of a length separating them at the post, whilst Oriel brought up the rear three lengths to the bad.

  The First Division started in the following order ;— New College I, Magdalen, Trinity, Exeter, University, Balliol, St. John's, Hertford, Brasenose, Queen's, and Christ Church. New College I paddled up to the new cut, whence they indulged in some hard rowing, and, going right away, they finished three lengths in front of Magdalen. Trinity could make no impression on the latter, who were nearly twice that distance ahead. Exeter experienced very hard luck, as directly the gun was fired their stroke struck the bank, breaking his oar, and they fell an easy prey to University. Balliol rowed in some two lengths in front of St. John's, who had a fine struggle with Hertford. The latter drew right up on coming out of the Gut, and at the Willows overlapped, but St. John's stuck to their task, and finishing the stronger of the two got home half a length to the good. Brasenose followed a length and a half behind, and a similar distance ahead of Queen's.

• The Times Thu 28 May

  The races were brought to a conclusion yesterday in fine weather. New College maintained their supremacy without difficulty, and the manner in which they have drawn away from Magdalen stamps them one of the finest crews that ever secured the headship, for the latter could boast new fewer than four blues, as well as the reserve man Graham [presumably H. Graham]. Bumps in the First Division were few, and the racing was hardly of an exciting character. Christ Church left off as they started. Corpus, who were at the bottom of the list, had the best record with five bumps. Jesus also did remarkably well with four bumps to their credit, whilst New College II could boast a similar record.

  The Second Division started in the following order :— Christ Church, Pembroke, Keble, Jesus, Wadham, Worcester, Corpus, New College II, Merton, Lincoln, St. Catherine's, and Oriel. Christ Church displayed capital form, and maintained their position at the head of the division without difficulty. Keble were hard pressed by Jesus all along the Willows, and the Welshmen, spurting hard at the boathouse, effected a bump just opposite their college barge. Worcester, although they managed to escape Corpus on Tuesday, were not so fortunate last evening, and the latter, spurting along Iffley Reach, caught Worcester before they were well out of the Gut, New College II, who had gained considerably, being within a length of Corpus at the time. St. Catherine's made a good race with Lincoln, one of whose men caught a crab at the University barge, and they narrowly escaped disaster.

  The First Division started in the following order ;— New College I, Magdalen, Trinity, University, Exeter, Balliol, St. John's, Hertford, Brasenose, Queen's, Christ Church. New College rowed up in splendid form, and were heartily cheered all along the barges. Magdalen were very unfortunate, and had the bad luck to have a mishap with their steerage gear, which threw them all across the river at the start, and Trinity had no difficulty in making a bump. Exeter were overtaken just before reaching the boathouse by Balliol after a determined struggle. [article concludes by listing the order of the boats at the start and finish of the event].

  The four Magdalen men from the 1896 Oxford crew were: E. C. Sherwood (3), C. D. Burnell (4), R. Carr (6) and H. G. Gold (Str). But there were also three from New College: J. J. J. de Knoop (Bow), C. K. Philips (2) and W. E. Crum (7).

• In other news ... [1896]

  Monarch: Queen Victoria

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

  Mon 18 May

  Plessy v Ferguson: The U.S. Supreme Court introduces the separate but equal doctrine, and upholds racial segregation.

  Tue 26 May

  Eleven years after its foundation, a group of 12 purely industrial stocks were chosen to form the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The index is composed entirely of industrial shares for the first time.

  Wed 27 May

  St Louis–East St Louis tornado: the costliest and third deadliest tornado in U.S. history levels a mile wide swath of downtown St Louis, Missouri, incurring US$2.9 billion (1997 USD) in normalized damages, killing more than 255 and injuring over 1000 people.

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