Torpids 1899

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 36 37 Balliol 2 New College 30 32 New College 3 Brasenose 29 28 Brasenose 4 Trinity 24 22 Magdalen 5 Magdalen 21 19 Trinity 6 University 15 15 University 7 Christ Church 14 13 Merton 8 Hertford 13 13 Christ Church 9 Merton 9 12 Pembroke 10 St John's 7 10 Hertford 11 Keble 6 7 Keble 12 Pembroke 6 6 Corpus Christi 13 Corpus Christi 4 4 Queen's 14 Queen's 3 3 St John's 15 Exeter 3 3 Oriel 16 Oriel 3 2 Exeter 17 Lincoln 2 2 Worcester 18 Jesus 2 1 Wadham 19 Wadham 1 1 Jesus 20 Worcester 1 1 Lincoln 21 St Catherine's 1 1 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Pembroke 1[ 8] 5[ 1] 5.00[ 1] Worcester 1[ 8] 5[ 1] 5.00[ 1] Magdalen 2[ 1] 4[ 3] 2.00[ 5] Merton 1[ 8] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 3] Corpus Christi 1[ 8] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 3] Keble 2[ 1] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 6] New College 2[ 1] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 6] Balliol 2[ 1] 1[ 8] 0.50[11] Queen's 1[ 8] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 6] Oriel 1[ 8] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 6] Wadham 1[ 8] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 6] University 1[ 8] 0[12] 0.00[12] St Catherine's 1[ 8] 0[12] 0.00[12] Christ Church 2[ 1] -1[14] -0.50[14] Exeter 1[ 8] -2[15] -2.00[15] Hertford 1[ 8] -2[15] -2.00[15] Jesus 1[ 8] -3[17] -3.00[19] Brasenose 2[ 1] -4[18] -2.00[15] Lincoln 1[ 8] -5[19] -5.00[20] Trinity 2[ 1] -5[19] -2.50[18] St John's 1[ 8] -6[21] -6.00[21]

• 6 days: Thu 16 – Wed 22 Feb 1899.
• Note from Sherwood

  Constant floods and gales all through practice. Floods out during the races, but weather bright and calm.

  First day: Lincoln broke an oar; Worcester damaged two oars at the start, but made their bump.

  Fourth day: The St. John's stroke broke his oar at the start.

• The Times Fri 17 Feb

  The torpid races commenced yesterday in fine weather, but, owing to the recent heavy rains, the towing-path below the boathouse was several inches under water. In spite of this fact, many enthusiasts were not to be deterred from accompanying their crews the whole length of the course.

  The third division started in the following order :— Exeter, Oriel, Trinity II, Lincoln, Jesus, Magdalen II, Keble II, Wadham, Worcester, and St. Catharine's. Oriel did not get off well, but speedily recovered themselves, and succeeded in bumping Exeter at the Long-bridges. Lincoln are well represented this year, and it was anticipated that they would have no difficulty in overtaking Trinity II., but almost immediately after the start No.5 broke his oar, and thus enabled Jesus to overtake them. Magdalen II found it difficult to keep away from Keble II, who finished within a third of a length. Wadham were bumped by Worcester at the Cherwell, in spite of the fact that two of the latter had their blades broken by coming in contact with the wall on the towpath side.

  The second division started in the following order :— Merton, Balliol II, St. John's, Pembroke, New College II, Keble, Corpus Christi, Christ Church II, Queen's, and Oriel. There was a good race between the two leading boats. Merton, however, managed to hold their own, and passed the flag a quarter of a length in front of Balliol. Pembroke, who went off at a great pace, overtook St. John's near the Weir-bridge. Keble were bumped by Corpus Christi soon after passing the Freewater-stone.

  The first division started as under :— Balliol, New College, Trinity, Magdalen, Brasenose, University, Hertford, Brasenose II, Christ Church, and Merton. New College gained at the start, and at the boathouse were within a quarter of a length of the leading boat, but Balliol drew away, and finished fully their distance in front. There was a wide gap between New College and Trinity. The latter had hard work to avoid Magdalen, who were within two yards at the flag, but Magdalen were themselves pressed by Brasenose. The Brasenose second boat was bumped by Christ Church early in the race.

  Twenty-eight crews are taking part in the races this year, compared with 31 competing last year.

• The Times Sat 18 Feb

  The second day's racing at Oxford took place yesterday in delightful weather, and notwithstanding the floods there was again a large attendance of spectators.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Exeter, Trinity II, Jesus, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Keble II, Worcester, Wadham, St. Catharine's. The first four boats maintained their positions, but Lincoln were overtaken early in the race by Magdalen II. After a severe struggle Keble II were bumped by Worcester at the Cherwell.

  In the second division the order was Merton, Balliol II, Pembroke, St. John's, New College II, Corpus, Keble, Christ Church II, Queen's, Oriel. A capital race ensued between Balliol II and Merton as far as the Gut, after which point Merton began to improve on their form and in the end passed the flag a length to the good. St. John's, who lost their place on Thursday, were caught by New College before the Long Bridges were reached. A close race took place between Queen's and Oriel, resulting in the former escaping defeat by a quarter of a length only.

  The first division started in the following order :— Balliol, New College, Trinity, Magdalen, Brasenose, University, Hertford, Christ Church, Brasenose II, Merton. The leading boats were not pressed. There was again a good race between Trinity, Magdalen, and Brasenose, but no bump took place, although Brasenose got within a quarter of a length of Magdalen. Merton, who are represented by a capital crew, had no difficulty in overhauling Brasenose II soon after the start.

• The Times Mon 20 Feb

  Fine weather prevailed at Oxford on Saturday, and the third day's torpid races were watched with much interest by a large number of spectators. There was a further rise in the river, and the crews consequently found the work more difficult than on the preceding afternoon.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Exeter, Trinity II, Jesus, Magdalen II, Lincoln, Worcester, Keble, Wadham, and St. Catherine's. Oriel had no difficulty in maintaining their position, and Exeter were well away from Trinity II. The latter were closely pressed by Jesus, who themselves were unable to avoid Magdalen II, and were bumped just after passing Saunders's-bridge. Lincoln were overtaken by Worcester at the Freewater-stone.

  The second division started as under :— Brasenose II, Balliol II, Pembroke, New College II, St. John's, Corpus, Keble, Christ Church II, Queen's, and Oriel. Quite early in the race Brasenose II were caught by Balliol II. New College II were at one time dangerously near Pembroke although three-quarters of a length separated them at the finish. Corpus bumped St. John's soon after the start. There was a capital race between Christ Church II, Queen's, and Oriel but the positions were left unchanged.

  The order in which the first division started was Balliol, New College, Trinity, Magdalen, Brasenose, University, Hertford, Christ Church, Merton, and Balliol II. the Balliol crew were not pressed, and rowed home fully two lengths to the good. An exciting race took place between Trinity, Magdalen, and Brasenose. The three boats were very close together from the Long-bridges to the Cherwell, at which point Magdalen caught Trinity. Hertford got within half a length of University, and Merton, succeeded in overtaking Christ Church opposite the Hertford barge.

• The Times Tue 21 Feb

  Although there was a diminution of the floods at Oxford yesterday the cold weather considerably affected the attendance.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Exeter, Trinity II, Magdalen II, Jesus, Worcester, Lincoln, Keble II, Wadham, St. Catharine's. Magdalen II were again on the rise and overtook Trinity II opposite the Red Post. Jesus were unable to avoid Worcester, who made their fourth bump at the Long Bridges. Lincoln were caught by Keble II just after passing the free water stone.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Balliol II, Brasenose II, Pembroke, New College II, Corpus, St. John's, Keble, Christ Church II, Queen's, Oriel. There were two bumps in this division. Balliol were indulged with a row over, as Brasenose were caught by Pembroke in the Gut. Over the first part of the course there was an exciting struggle between New College II and Corpus, but the former drew away from the Long Bridges. St. John's failed to escape from Keble, who overtook them in Iffley Reach.

  The order of starting in the first division was as under :— Balliol, New College, Magdalen, Trinity, Brasenose, University, Hertford, Merton, Christ Church, Balliol II. Brasenose bumped Trinity early in the race. Hertford were overtaken by Merton opposite the Queen's Barge after an exciting race, and Balliol II caught Christ Church opposite the Christ Church barge.

• The Times Wed 22 Feb

  There was a decided improvement in the weather yesterday and the fifth day's racing atttracted a numerous attendance.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Exeter, Magdalen II, Trinity II, Worcester, Jesus, Keble II, Lincoln, Wadham, and St. Catharine's. Exeter had hard work to avoid Magdalen II, who at one time were within a quarter of a length, although they fell back at the finish. Worcester made their fifth bump by securing Trinity II near the Long Bridges. Keble II overtook Jesus at the red post, and Lincoln gave way to Wadham in Iffley Reach.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Christ Church, Pembroke, Brasenose II, New College II, Corpus, Keble, St. John's, Christ Church II, Queen's, and Oriel. Pembroke went off at a great pace and succeeded in catching Christ Church soon after passing the freshwater [sic] stone. Brasenose II were bumped by New College II in the gut. There was a grand race between Corpus and Keble, the former getting home only a couple of yards to the good. St. John's were compelled to lower their colours to Christ Church II, while Queen's, after a desperate struggle, were fortunate in escaping Oriel by a feet feet only.

  In the first division the order of starting was :— Balliol, New College, Magdalen, Brasenose, Trinity, University, Merton, Hertford, Balliol II, and Pembroke. Brasenose, who were unfortunate on Saturday in not making their bump, succeeded in overtaking Magdalen near Talboy's Barge. Hertford were hard pressed by Balliol II, who in turn were closely pursued by Pembroke, and as the former fouled a punt Pembroke were enabled to make their second bump the same evening before reaching the Weir's-bridge.

  The races will end on Wednesday.

• The Times Thu 23 Feb

  The Torpids concluded at Oxford yesterday in delightful weather, and the attendance was unusually large. Balliol maintained their position at the head of the river, which was anticipated from the outset, as they were represented by a first-class crew. Merton did exceedingly well in the first division by making three bumps, and Worcester and Pembroke succeeded in making no fewer than five each.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Exeter, Magdalen II, Worcester, Trinity II, Keble II, Jesus, Wadham, Lincoln, and St. Catharine's. Oriel were indulged with a row-over, as Exeter were overtaken by Magdalen II opposite the barge of the latter, Worcester at the time being within half a length of Magdalen. Trinity II were bumped by Keble II in the Gut, and Wadham lowered the colours of Jesus.

  The order of the second division was :— Balliol II, Christ Church, New College II, Brasenose II, Corpus, Keble, Christ Church II, St. John's, Queen's, and Oriel. Brasenose II were bumped by Corpus at the Free Water Stone, and St. John's were overtaken by Queen's before reaching the Weirs Bridge.

  The first division started as under :— Balliol, New College, Brasenose, Magdalen, Trinity, University, Merton, Hertford, Pembroke, and Balliol II. There was only one bump in this division, Hertford giving way to Pembroke early in the race.

  [article finishes with start and finish order for the week]

• In other news ... [1899]

  Monarch: Queen Victoria

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

  Feb 16

  Félix Faure, the President of France since 1895, dies of a stroke in his office while engaged in sexual activity with his mistress, Marguerite Steinheil.

  Feb 17

  The research vessel SS Southern Cross, on an Antarctic expedition led by Carsten Borchgrevink, arrives at Cape Adare and begins unloading 90 sledge dogs — the first ever on the continent — and two Norwegian Sami crewmen, who become the first humans to spend the night in Antarctica. Over the next 12 days, the rest of the 31-man crew builds a temporary settlement.

  Feb 20

  Discussions among members of a joint Anglo-American commission, set up by U.S. President William McKinley and Canadian Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier to resolve the Alaska boundary dispute, end abruptly after it is clear that the U.S. will not make any concessions. In response, Laurier makes clear that there will be no further concessions with the U.S. in trade.

  Feb 21

  The British freighter SS Jumna is last seen passing Rathlin Island off Northern Ireland. Bound from Scotland to deliver a shipment of coal to Uruguay with minimal crew, it never arrives and is never seen again.

  Feb 25

  In an accident at Grove Hill, Harrow, London, England, Edwin Sewell becomes the world's first driver of a petrol-driven vehicle to be killed; his passenger, Major James Richer, dies of injuries three days later.

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