Torpids 1900

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 37 34 New College 2 New College 32 29 Brasenose 3 Brasenose 28 28 Balliol 4 Magdalen 22 20 Magdalen 5 Trinity 19 19 Pembroke 6 University 15 17 Trinity 7 Merton 13 13 University 8 Christ Church 13 12 Merton 9 Pembroke 12 11 Christ Church 10 Hertford 10 10 Corpus Christi 11 Keble 7 9 Keble 12 Corpus Christi 6 9 Hertford 13 Queen's 4 5 Exeter 14 St John's 3 4 Worcester 15 Oriel 3 3 Queen's 16 Exeter 2 2 Oriel 17 Worcester 2 2 Lincoln 18 Wadham 1 2 St John's 19 Jesus 1 1 Wadham 20 Lincoln 1 1 Jesus 21 St Catherine's 1 1 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Exeter 1[ 8] 6[ 1] 6.00[ 1] Worcester 1[ 8] 5[ 2] 5.00[ 2] Corpus Christi 1[ 8] 4[ 3] 4.00[ 3] Pembroke 1[ 8] 4[ 3] 4.00[ 3] Lincoln 1[ 8] 4[ 3] 4.00[ 3] Trinity 2[ 1] 1[ 6] 0.50[ 6] Keble 2[ 1] 1[ 6] 0.50[ 6] Wadham 1[ 8] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] St Catherine's 1[ 8] 0[ 8] 0.00[ 8] Merton 1[ 8] -1[10] -1.00[13] Hertford 1[ 8] -1[10] -1.00[13] Jesus 1[ 8] -1[10] -1.00[13] Magdalen 2[ 1] -1[10] -0.50[10] University 1[ 8] -1[10] -1.00[13] New College 2[ 1] -1[10] -0.50[10] Brasenose 2[ 1] -1[10] -0.50[10] Oriel 1[ 8] -2[17] -2.00[18] Queen's 1[ 8] -2[17] -2.00[18] Christ Church 2[ 1] -3[19] -1.50[17] Balliol 2[ 1] -5[20] -2.50[20] St John's 1[ 8] -6[21] -6.00[21]

• 6 days: Thu 15 – Wed 21 Feb 1900
• Notes from Sherwood

  River frozen from Gut downwards the week before the races. Heavy snow during the first day of the races, followed by thaw and a great flood.

  Second day: Lincoln stopped thinking they had made a bump.

  Fifth day: The lowest boat started at the Isis Tavern, as the towing-path was washed away near the lasher.

• The Times Fri 16 Feb

  The Oxford University torpid races began to-day under most unusual conditions as regards the weather. During the morning snow again fell for some hours, and at the time that the races began a gusty south-westerly wind, accompanied by heavy rain, prevailed. In spite of this, however, a considerable number of undergraduates followed the crews upon the towing-path. So boisterous was the wind that it was found necessary to hoist the foul weather flag. The races were rowed in three divisions, 28 crews competing.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Magdalen 2, Exeter, Worcester, Keble 2, Trinity 2, Wadham, Jesus, Lincoln, and St. Catharine's. Magdalen 2 were overtaken by Exeter just before reaching the Long Bridges, Keble 2 were compelled to lower their colours to Trinity 2 at the Free Water Stone, and Lincoln bumped Jesus soon after the start.

  In the second division the order of starting was :— Balliol 2, Christ Church, New College 2, Corpus, Brasenose 2, Keble, Christ Church 2, Queen's, St. John's, and Oriel. There was a splending race between the four leading boats, and, after a severe struggle, Balliol 2 were overtaken by Christ Church near the Hertford Barge, and soon afterwards Corpus succeeded in displacing New College 2. Brasenose 2 were compelled to give way to Keble at the Willows, and St. John's were bumped by Oriel soon after passing the Free Water Stone.

  In the first division the order of starting was :— Balliol, New College, Brasenose, Magdalen, Trinity, University, Merton, Pemboke, Hertford, and Christ Church. At the outset New College gained rapidly upon Balliol, and secured the headship near the Free Water Stone. There was an exciting race between Trinity, University, and Merton. After passing the boathouse University overlapped Trinity but the latter succeeded in getting away, and passed the post a couple of yards in front, and University were hardly pressed by Merton, who were within half a length at the finish.

• The Times Sat 17 Feb

  In striking contrast to the weather of the previous day there was bright sunshine at Oxford yesterday, and the rapid thaw combined with the heavy downpour of rain caused a remarkable rise in the river, the towing path being submerged in several places. There was a much larger attendance both on the barges and on the banks.

  The third division started in the following order :— St. John's, Exeter, Magdalen 2, Worcester, Trinity 2, Keble 2, Wadham<, Lincoln, Jesus, and St. Catharine's. Exeter gained on St. John's from the start and displaced them near the Long Bridges; Magdalen 2 made a desperate effort to keep away from Worcester, but were unsuccessful, the bump taking place at the Red Post; and Keble 2 were compelled to lower their colours to Wadham soon after passing the Free Water Stone. This bump caused considerable excitement, as at the time Wadham achieved their object they were overlapped by Lincoln, who, however, were hampered by the boats in front of them, and Jesus were enabled to row by and thus regain the position which they had lost to Lincoln the previous day.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Christ Church, Balliol 2, Corpus, New College 2, Keble, Brasenose 2, Christ Church 2, Queen's, Oriel, and Exeter. Balliol 2 proved much inferior to Corpus, who made their bump in Iffley Reach. There was a splendid struggle between New College 2, and Keble, the latter being successful at the boathouse. Exeter, who had bumped St. John's in the third division, were fortunate enough to score another victory by overtaking Oriel shortly after the start.

  In the first division the order of starting was :— New College, Balliol, Brasenose, Magdalen, Trinity, University, Merton, Pemboke, Hertford, and Christ Church. The leading boat was able to take matters very easily as Balliol, who lost the headship on the previous evening, were overtaken by Brasenose under the Willows. Merton were obliged to give way to Pemboke at the ferry, there thus being nine bumps in the three divisions.

• The Times Mon 19 Feb

  Although the weather on Saturday was fine when the Torpids were continued, the water had risen to a great height, owing to the rapid thaw and heavy rain, and a very strong stream interfered considerably with the crews.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, St. John's, Worcester, Magdalen (2), Trinity (2), Wadham, Keble (2), Jesus, Lincoln, and St. Catharine's. Worcester gained on St. John's at the start, and a good race was witnessed in Iffley Reach, the bump taking place opposite the Long Bridges. There was an exciting struggle between Magdalen (2) and Trinity (2). In the Gut, Trinity overlapped their opponents, but Magdalen responded gamely to the cheers of their supporters and succeeded in maintaining their position, a quarter of a length separating the boats at the finish. Lincoln, who were unfortunate in losing a place the previous afternoon, regained it by bumping Jesus before the Long Bridges were reached.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Christ Church, Corpus, Balliol (2), Keble, New College (2), Brasenose (2), Christ Church (2), Queen's, Exeter, and Oriel. A close contest was expected between Christ Church and Corpus. The former made a desperate effort to hold their own, but were compelled to give way at the New Cut. Keble at one time looked like overtaking Balliol (2), but as the Barges were approached the latter drew away and were a third of a length to the good when they passed the flag. New College were in great danger from Brasenose (2), and the latter experienced some difficulty from keeping away from Christ Church (2). Exeter made their fourth bump by securing Queen's under the Willows.

  In the first division the order of starting was :— New College, Brasenose, Balliol, Magdalen, Trinity, University, Pemboke, Merton, Hertford, and Corpus. During the race the stroke of the leading boat unfortunately broke the blade of his oar, but in spite of this New College steadily increased their lead and finished nearly 100 yards in front. Trinity gained on Magdalen, but the latter improved their position and rowed in three-quarters of a length to the good. There was only one bump, Corpus overtaking Hertford soon after passing the Freewater Stone, and thus sharing with Exeter the credit of having made four bumps in three days.

• The Times Tue 20 Feb

  A strong south-westerly gale, accompanied with heavy showers of rain, prevailed at Oxford yesterday afternoon, and the floods still covered the towing path nearly the whole distance. The attendance of spectators was consequently very limited, as was also the number of undergraduates who accompanied the boats.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Worcester, St. John's, Magdalen 2, Trinity 2, Wadham, Keble 2, Lincoln, Jesus, and St. Catharine's. An exciting struggle ensued between the two leading boats, but Oriel managed to reach the post a bare two lengths [?] to the good. St. John's made another downward move, being displaced by Magdalen 2 at the Ferry. Trinity 2 were unfortunate in No.4's losing his oar and No.6's breaking his, but they were enabled to keep clear of Wadham as one of the Wadham crew also broke his oar. Keble 2 were overtaken by Lincoln at the Ferry.

  In the second division the order of starting was :— Hertford, Christ Church, Balliol 2, Keble, New College 2, Brasenose 2, Christ Church 2, Exeter, Queen's, and Oriel. Keble easily overtook Balliol 2 at the Ferry, and Exeter displaced Christ Church 2 at the Freewater Stone.

  In the first division the order was :— New College, Brasenose, Balliol, Magdalen, Trinity, University, Pemboke, Merton, Corpus, and Hertford. The leading boat with the greatest ease maintained its position. Pemboke bumped University at the Ferry. Merton were in danger from Corpus, and the latter, through going too near the bank in the Gut, enabled Hertford to come up dangerously near to them.

• The Times Wed 21 Feb

  A considerable further downpour of rain during Monday night caused a rise in the floods at Oxford yesterday, and, as a portion of the towing-path between the Isis Hotel and the Lasher at Iffley had been swept away, the boats were compelled to start two distances higher. The weather, although a cold wind blew from the north-west, was fine.

  The order of starting in the the third divison was as follows :— Oriel, Worcester, Magdalen 2, St. John's, Trinity 2, Wadham, Lincoln, Keble 2, Jesus, and St. Catharine's. The leading boat in this division, Oriel, who had the good fortune to escape being caught by Worcester on Monday, were displaced by them before reaching the Gut. St. John's were overtaken by Trinity at the Ferry, and Wadham had their colours lowered by Lincoln just before reaching the Freshmen's River.

  In the second division the order was :— Hertford, Christ Church, Keble, Balliol 2, New College 2, Brasenose 2, Exeter, Christ Church 2, Queen's, and Worcester. Christ Church were unable to keep away from Keble, who ran into them at the Ferry. Exeter made another upward move by overtaking Brasenose 2 at the Freshmen's River, and Worcester made their second bump by catching Queen's at the Freewater Stone.

  The order in the first division was as follows :— New College, Brasenose, Balliol, Magdalen, Trinity, Pemboke, University, Merton, Corpus, and Hertford. Trinity were compelled to give way to Pemboke at the end of Iffley Reach. A very close struggle took place between University, Merton, and Corpus, the respective distances apart being a few feet only.

  The races will be concluded to-day.

• The Times Thu 22 Feb

  The weather on the concluding day of the races was beautifully fine, but, owing to a further rise in the flood water over the towing path, the boats were accompanied by only a few of their partisans on the bank.

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Queen's, Oriel, Magdalen 2, Trinity 2, St. John's, Lincoln, Wadham, Keble 2, Jesus, and St. Catharine's. Magdalen 2 gained on Oriel from the start and overhauled them after getting through the Gut, and St. John's made their sixth downward move, Lincoln displacing them just before reaching the Ferry.

  The second division started in the following order :— Hertford, Keble, Christ Church, Balliol 2, New College 2, Exeter, Brasenose 2, Christ Church 2, Worcester, and Queen's. New College 2 were overlapped by Exeter at the Ferry, but escaped being caught through erratic steering on the part of the coxswain of the Exeter boat. Christ Church 2 were overtaken by Worcester shortly after passsing the Ferry.

  In the first division the boats started in the following order :— New College, Brasenose, Balliol, Magdalen, Pemboke, Trinity, University, Merton, Corpus, and Hertford. The first three boats easily maintained their positions. An exciting race issued between Magdalen and Pemboke as far as the Willows, and the latter effected their bump near the Wadham barge.

  The results of the racing show that Exeter have been the most successful boat, having made six bumps, Worcester come next with five, and Pembroke, Corpus, Keble, and Lincoln each made four, and New College and Brasenose one each. St. John's lost six places; Keble 2 and Balliol 2 three each; Balliol, New College 2, Brasenose 2, Christ Church 2, Queen's, and Oriel, two each; and Magdalen, Trinity, University, Merton, Hertford, Christ Church, and Jesus, one each.

• In other news ... [1900]

  Monarch: Queen Victoria

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

  Feb 12

  A meeting held at Mile End to protest against the Boer War ends in an uproar.

  Feb 14

  Second Boer War: in South Africa, 20,000 British troops invade the Orange Free State.

  Feb 16

  Second Boer War: The Siege of Kimberley is lifted.

  The Southern Cross expedition led by Carsten Borchgrevink achieves a new Farthest South of 78deg 50'S, making the first landing at the Great Ice Barrier.

  Feb 17

  Second Boer War: Battle of Paardeberg British troops defeat the Boers.

  Feb 27

  Creation of the Labour Party; Ramsay MacDonald is appointed its first secretary.

  Second Boer War: in South Africa, British military leaders receive an unconditional notice of surrender from Boer General Piet Cronjé.

Return to Bumps Index