Eights 1912

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 New College 35 35 Magdalen 2 Christ Church 34 34 Christ Church 3 Magdalen 31 34 New College 4 St John's 22 25 University 5 University 20 20 Balliol 6 Balliol 18 19 Lincoln 7 Trinity 18 17 Brasenose 8 Brasenose 15 14 St John's 9 Lincoln 12 11 Trinity 10 Corpus Christi 9 10 Merton 11 Merton 8 9 Corpus Christi 12 Pembroke 7 7 Oriel 13 Wadham 7 6 Pembroke 14 Exeter 6 5 Wadham 15 Keble 5 5 Keble 16 Oriel 4 3 Exeter 17 Worcester 3 3 Worcester 18 Queen's 3 2 Queen's 19 Hertford 2 2 Hertford 20 Jesus 2 1 Jesus 21 St Edmund Hall 1 1 St Edmund Hall 22 St Catherine's 1 1 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Magdalen 2[ 1] 6[ 1] 3.00[ 3] Balliol 2[ 1] 6[ 1] 3.00[ 3] Oriel 1[ 9] 5[ 3] 5.00[ 1] Lincoln 1[ 9] 4[ 4] 4.00[ 2] Merton 1[ 9] 2[ 5] 2.00[ 5] St John's 2[ 1] 1[ 6] 0.50[ 6] Christ Church 2[ 1] 1[ 6] 0.50[ 6] Brasenose 2[ 1] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Corpus Christi 1[ 9] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] St Catherine's 1[ 9] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] St Edmund Hall 1[ 9] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Keble 1[ 9] -1[12] -1.00[13] University 2[ 1] -1[12] -0.50[12] Worcester 1[ 9] -1[12] -1.00[13] Wadham 1[ 9] -2[15] -2.00[16] New College 2[ 1] -2[15] -1.00[13] Jesus 1[ 9] -2[15] -2.00[16] Queen's 1[ 9] -2[15] -2.00[16] Pembroke 1[ 9] -2[15] -2.00[16] Hertford 1[ 9] -3[20] -3.00[21] Trinity 2[ 1] -4[21] -2.00[16] Exeter 1[ 9] -5[22] -5.00[22]

• 6 days: Thu 23 – Wed 29 May 1912

• The Times Fri 24 May

  The Summer Eight-oar Races were begun at Oxford yesterday.

  The crews in the Third Division were started in the following order :— Trinity II, Worcester, Queen's, Hertford, Brasenose II, Jesus, University II, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II, and St. Catherine's. Brasenose II bumped Hertford; Balliol II bumped University II before reaching the Corporation Ferry, and St. John's II bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Weirs Bridge.

  The crews in the Second Division were started in the following order :— Christ Church II, Corpus Christi, Merton, Pembroke, Wadham, Exeter, Keble, New College II, Magdalen II, Oriel, and Trinity II. Keble bumped Exeter just before reaching the Willows, and Magdalen II bumped New College II soon after passing the Freewater Stone.

  The crews in the First Division were started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, University, Balliol, Trinity, Brasenose, Lincoln, and Christ Church II. University bumped St. John's opposite the Worcester Barge, and Brasenose bumped Trinity at the Willows.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 24 May

  The summer eights commenced at Oxford last evening, the boats starting in the following order [...].

  In the third division three changes took place, Brasenose II catching Hertford at the Willows; University II falling to Balliol II at the Weirs Bridge; and St. John's II bumping St. Edmund Hall in Iffley Reach .

  In the second division Christ Church II maintained their position as sandwich boat, passing the post well away from Corpus Christi. Exeter were caught by Keble at the Willows, and Magdalen II bumped New College II in the Gut, Oriel at the time being close behind.

  In the first division New College had no difficulty in keeping away from Magdalen, who were quite their starting distance behind at the finish. University bumped St. John's at Talboy's Barge, and Brasenose defeated Trinity at the Willows after an exciting race through the Gut.

• The Times Sat 25 May

  The Summer Eight-oar Races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon. There was a welcome improvement in the weather and in consequence in the attendance of visitors.

  The crews in the Third Division were started in the following order :— Trinity II, Worcester, Queen's, Brasenose II, Hertford, Jesus, Balliol II, University II, St. John's II, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Catherine's. There was an exciting struggle between Worcester and Queen's, Worcester passing the post barely a quarter of a length to the good. Balliol II bumped Jesus at the ferry, and St. John's II bumped University II at Weir's Bridge.

  The crews in the Second Division were started in the following order :— Christ Church II, Corpus Christi, Merton, Pembroke, Wadham, Keble, Exeter, Magdalen II, New College II, Oriel, and Trinity II. The stroke of the Merton crew caught a crab and Merton were bumped by Pembroke at Weir's Bridge. Magdalen II bumped Exeter in Iffley Reach, and Oriel bumped New College II near Weir's Bridge.

  The crews in the First Division were started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, University, St. John's, Balliol, Brasenose, Trinity, Lincoln, and Christ Church II. Magdalen got within a length of New College, but the latter spurted and finished their starting distance ahead. University bumped Christ Church at the Red Post and Lincoln bumped Trinity at the boathouse. Balliol pressed St. John's, and at one time only a few feet separated the boats, whilst Brasenose got within half a length of Balliol.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 25 May

  Racing amongst the Summer Eights was continued at Oxford yesterday under fairly favourable conditions. Bumps were again few, whilst New College once more held their own as head boat.

  In the third division Trinity II, Worcester, Queen's, Brasenose II, and Hertford finished in their starting order. Balliol II caught Jesus at the Free Ferry, whilst St. John's III [II?] made short work of University II.

  The two top boats in division two, Christ Church [II] and Corpus rowed up; but Merton fell to Pembroke, their stroke catching a "crab". Wadham came up a long way in front of Keble. Exeter descended once more, Magdalen II bumping them in Iffley Reach, whilst New College II fell to Oriel at the Weirs Bridge.

  Once again Magdalen failed to overtake New College in division one, although they gained at the start. University caught Christ Church at the Red Post, and the only other bump was when Lincoln caught Trinity at boat-house.

• The Times Mon 27 May

  The summer eight-oar races at Oxford were continued on Saturday.

  The crews in the Third Division were started in the following order :— Trinity II, Worcester, Queen's, Brasenose II, Hertford, Balliol II, Jesus, St. John's II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Catherine's. Balliol II bumped Hertford soon after passing the Ferry. St. John's [II] bumped Jesus before the Weir's Bridge was reached, and St. Edmund Hall bumped University II as they approached the Long Bridges.

  The crews in the Second Division were started in the following order :— Christ Church II, Corpus Christi, Pembroke, Merton, Wadham, Keble, Magdalen II, Exeter, Oriel, New College II, and Trinity II. Some exciting racing took place in this division. Merton bumped Pembroke at the Cherwell. Magdalen II bumped Keble just before reaching the Long Bridges, the former [latter?] at the time being within a few feet of Wadham. Oriel bumped Exeter at the Weir's Bridge, and after a hard struggle New College II got home a very short distance in front of Keble II.

  The crews in the First Division were started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Brasenose, Lincoln, Trinity, and Christ Church II. Magdalen made a great effort to secure the headship but New College passed the post with quite a length to the good. Balliol bumped St. John's soon after passing the Freewater Stone. Lincoln bumped Brasenose under the Willows, and Christ Church II bumped Trinity at the Willows.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 27 May

  The Summer Eights were continued at Oxford on Saturday.

  In the Third Division Balliol II bumped Hertford at Weir's Bridge; St. John's II lowered the colours of Jesus in Iffley Reach; and St. Edmund's Hall secured University II in the Gut.

  In the Second Division, Merton caught Pembroke at the Cherwell, Keble fell to Magdalen II at the Free Water Stone, and Exeter were bumped by Oriel at Weir's Bridge.

  In the First Division, St. John's were bumped by Balliol at the Free Water Stone, Lincoln caught Brasenose at the Willows, and Christ Church II secured Trinity at the Red Post.

• The Times Tue 28 May

  The Summer Eights were continued at Oxford yesterday :—

  The crews in the third division started in the following order :— Trinity II, Worcester, Queen's, Brasenose II, Balliol II, Hertford, St. John's II, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, University II, and St. Catherine's. Balliol II bumped Brasenose II along the green bank; St. John's II bumped Hertford before reaching the Free Water Stone; University II bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Corporation Ferry.

  The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Trinity, Corpus Christi, Merton, Pembroke, Wadham, Magdalen II, Keble, Oriel, Exeter, New College II, and Trinity II. Corpus bumped Trinity at the Willows; Magdalen II bumped Wadham at the Long Bridges; Oriel II bumped Keble near the Free Water Stone; and New College II bumped Exeter after passing the boathouse.

  The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, Balliol, St. John's, Lincoln, Brasenose, Christ Church II, and Corpus Christi. New College maintained the headship without difficulty; Lincoln bumped St. John's at the Willows; there was an exciting race between Christ Church II and Brasenose, only about 8ft. separating the boats at the finish.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telgraph Tue 28 May

  The summer eights racing was continued at Oxford yesterday in glorious weather.

  In Division 3 the first three boats Trinity [II], Worcester, and Queen's finished in their starting order. Balliol II caught Brasenose II, St. John's II bumped Hertford, and St. Edmund Hall, who bumped University II on Saturday, lost their place, one of their crew catching a "crab".

  In the Second Division Trinity, the first boat, fell to Corpus at the Willows, and Wadham were overtaken by Magdalen II in the Gut. Oriel went up another place at the expense of Keble, whilst New College caught Exeter at the Cherwell.

  As on previous days, New College easily kept at the head of Division 1. Magdalen, University, Christ Church, and Balliol rowed up in their starting order, but Lincoln caught St. John's at the Willows, this being the only bump made in the division.

• The Times Wed 29 May

  Racing was continued at Oxford yesterday.

  The crews in the third division were started in the following order :— Trinity II, Worcester, Queen's, Balliol II, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Hertford, Jesus, University II, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Catherine's. Balliol II bumped Queen's before reaching ferry; St. John's II bumped Brasenose II near the Freewater Stone.

  The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Trinity, Merton, Pembroke, Magdalen II, Wadham, Oriel, Keble, New College II, Exeter, and Trinity II. Merton bumped Trinity at the Willows, Magdalen II gained their fifth success by bumping Pembroke near the Long Bridges, Oriel bumped Wadham at the Freewater stone, and Trinity II bumped Exeter near the Red Post.

  The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, Balliol, Lincoln, St. John's, Brasenose, Christ Church II, and Corpus Christi. Balliol got within a third of a length of Christ Church, and a like distance separated Lincoln from Balliol. There was an exciting race between St. John's, Brasenose, and Christ Church II. At one time Brasenose overlapped St. John's, Christ Church II being half a length behind Brasenose. Ultimately Christ Church II bumped Brasenose just before reaching the Cherwell.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 29 May

  Enjoyable weather again favoured the Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday.

  In Division III, Trinity and Worcester rowed up, but Queen's were caught by Balliol at the Ferry, and St. John's gained another place at the expense of Brasenose II. There was good racing between Hertford, Jesus, and University, without, however, a bump being recorded.

  In Division II, Corpus, who had bumped Trinity the previous evening, paddled up alone, as the latter once more went down, Merton catching them at the Willows. Magdalen II caught Pembroke on leaving the Gut. Oriel continued on the up-grade and bumped Wadham quite early in the race. New College [II] gained on Keble, but could not catch them, and Trinity II bumped Exeter near the Red Post.

  The leading boats in the First Division again failed to provide anything akin to good sport. As on previous nights, Magdalen gained on New College at the start, only to fall away again later. University, Christ Church, Balliol, and Lincoln rowed up without a bump. The next three boats, however, furnished an exciting race. Brasenose looked like bumping St. John's at Green Bank, but could not sustain the effort long enough, and were themselves overtaken by Christ Church II just before reaching the Cherwell.

• The Times Thu 30 May

  The races were concluded at Oxford yesterday. After the races on Tuesday evening Brasenose, who in the first division had been bumped by Christ Church II, claimed that they had earlier in the race bumped St. John's, but the bump was not acknowledged by the coxswain. The claim was allowed, and St. John's therefore lost a place and the bump of Christ Church II was disallowed.

  The crews in the third division were started in the following order :— Exeter, Worcester, Balliol II, Queen's, St. John's II, Brasenose II, Hertford, Jesus, University II, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Catherine's. Worcester were bumped by Balliol II near the Long Bridges, St. John's II bumped Queen's near the Freewater Stone, St. Edmund Hall bumped University II at the New Cut.

  The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Merton, Trinity, Magdalen II, Pembroke, Oriel, Wadham, Keble, New College II, Trinity II, and Exeter. Merton bumped Corpus at the Long Bridges, Magdalen II bumped Trinity at the Willows, Oriel bumped Pembroke at the Long Bridges, and Trinity II bumped New College II at the Green Bank.

  The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, Balliol, Lincoln, Brasenose, St. John's, Christ Church II, and Merton. New College maintained the headship without difficulty, Lincoln bumped Balliol at the Red Post, and Christ Church II bumped St. John's at the end of the Green Bank.

  During the six days' racing 47 bumps were made, of which Magdalen II, Balliol II, and St. John's II made six each, Oriel made five, and Lincoln and Oriel [?] four each. Trinity lost six places, St. John's and Exeter five each, and Hertford and University II three each.

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 30 May, by "an Old Blue"

  Racing Concluded

  In perfect weather, one of the most successful "Eights Weeks" I remember came to an end last night. Although it must be admitted that the majority of the crews were below the average of the past few years, the racing has been none the less exciting and good. Only three boats rowed over the course in the same place for the whole six nights, these being the two lead boats and the bottom one. The head boat, New College, are a very fine crew, and were never troubled to any extent by Magdalen, the second boat, although the latter were very little, if any, inferior to them. At times during the racing Magdalen gained considerably on the head boat; but they were nearly always about their distance behind.

  New College had four of the University crew of this year in their boat — Bourne at stroke, with Littlejohn and Wiggins at No.7 and No.6, and Pitman at No.3. They rowed in very attractive style, with a very long sweep in the water, and with great life. In spite of the fact that they were using very long oars, whilst the water was rather dead on account of the low level of the river, they could row a very fast stroke without losing their length and life. This is the tenth year in the history of the eights in which they have rowed head of the river, and this record is only rendered more striking by the fact that all their successes date from the year 1887. That they have done so well in the last twenty-five years is almost entirely due to the assiduous coaching and patience of the father of their present stroke, Dr. G. C. Bourne, who rowed for Oxford in 1882 and 1883.

  There is no doubt that Magdalen owe their pace and place to the splendid stroking of their Freshman Blue, Horsfall. He was ably backed up by Wormald, the President of the O.U.B.C. at seven, whilst behind him were several of the younger members of the crew which won the Grand Challenge Cup last year for their college. They were also very well steered by Wells, the University coxswain, who never lost his crew an inch in steering through the Gut, so that it was at this point that the crew made the best showing as against New College.

  The Lower Crews

  After these two crews there was a very large drop in the average of oarsmanship. University, who were driven along by Tinne, by making bumps on the first two nights went second [?third], and found their level. Of the other crews, although there were no fewer than three boats who made a bump on each night, the pride of place must undoubtedly be given to Lincoln, who alone made four bumps in the First Division. Their success was quite remarkable, for although they had no man in the boat who has a big record, they bumped Trinity, Brasenose, St. John's, and Balliol, all colleges who have long enjoyed high positions on the river, whilst they are all much bigger, and have therefore more men to draw from. They are to be congratulated highly on their achievement.

  The three boats which made six bumps are all second boats, and with the exception of Magdalen, were as fast as, if not faster than, the boats which represented their colleges, at any rate, for a short distance. Oriel, who made five bumps, were prevented by Magdalen II from gaining a place on the first night, for the latter bumped New College II early in the race. Oriel were very unlucky, for they were undoubtedly faster at the beginning of the races than any boats below the first two. Had they been more fortunately placed they would undoubtedly have made a bump each night.

  Trinity I were the only crew so unfortunate as to descend six places, but St. John's and Exeter dropped five each.

  Last Night's Racing

  In the First Division a bump was claimed from Tuesday night by Brasenose over St. John's and awarded by the committee, so that the bump made later on in the race by Christ Church II fell to the ground. New College rowed up some distance ahead of Magdalen, University following some distance behind. There was a very exciting race between Lincoln and Balliol along the Green Bank, the latter being bumped just at the Red Post. Then Christ Church II rowed nearly past St. John's before they effected their bump.

  In the Second Division Corpus were bumped by Merton at the New Cut, whilst Magdalen II caught Trinity and Oriel bumped Pembroke, both before the Gut. Wadham were left to finish the course well outside their distance from Keble; whilst New College II were caught by Trinity II. In the Third Division Balliol II and St. John's II finished their brilliant career by bumping Worcester and Queen's respectively; whilst St. Edmund's Hall regained the position which they have twice lost during the six nights.

  Although the full line-up of the New College head crew was not given in the newspapers, it is likely to closely resemble the crew which won the Silver Medal at the Stockholm Olympic Games (17–19 July)

• In other news ... [1912]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: H. H. Asquith (Liberal)

  11 May

  Alaska becomes a territory of the United States

  13 May

  The Royal Flying Corps (forerunner of the Royal Air Force) is established.

  Thu 23 May

  The Hamburg America Line's SS Imperator is launched in Hamburg and is the world's largest ship.

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