Torpids 1907

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 University 38 43 Balliol 2 New College 37 36 Magdalen 3 Magdalen 34 31 New College 4 Balliol 31 29 University 5 Christ Church 29 28 Christ Church 6 Brasenose 16 19 Trinity 7 Exeter 16 16 Brasenose 8 Pembroke 12 16 Exeter 9 Trinity 12 11 Keble 10 Lincoln 10 9 St John's 11 Merton 8 8 Pembroke 12 Keble 7 6 Lincoln 13 St John's 5 5 Merton 14 Queen's 5 4 Hertford 15 Corpus Christi 4 4 Oriel 16 Worcester 3 3 Corpus Christi 17 Hertford 3 3 Queen's 18 Oriel 2 2 Worcester 19 Jesus 2 2 Jesus 20 St Catherine's 1 1 Wadham 21 Wadham 1 1 St Catherine's 22 St Edmund Hall 1 1 St Edmund Hall

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Trinity 2[ 1] 7[ 1] 3.50[ 1] Balliol 2[ 1] 6[ 2] 3.00[ 2] St John's 2[ 1] 6[ 2] 3.00[ 2] Magdalen 2[ 1] 3[ 4] 1.50[ 6] Oriel 1[10] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 2] Hertford 1[10] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 2] Christ Church 2[ 1] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 7] Keble 2[ 1] 1[ 8] 0.50[10] Wadham 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 7] St Edmund Hall 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 7] Brasenose 2[ 1] 0[11] 0.00[11] Jesus 1[10] 0[11] 0.00[11] Exeter 1[10] 0[11] 0.00[11] St Catherine's 1[10] -1[14] -1.00[14] Worcester 1[10] -2[15] -2.00[15] Corpus Christi 1[10] -3[16] -3.00[17] Pembroke 1[10] -4[17] -4.00[19] New College 2[ 1] -4[17] -2.00[15] Lincoln 1[10] -4[17] -4.00[19] Merton 1[10] -4[17] -4.00[19] Queen's 1[10] -5[21] -5.00[22] University 2[ 1] -6[22] -3.00[17]

• Thu 21 Feb – Wed 27 Feb 1907

• The Times Fri 22 Feb

  Snow fell at Oxford yesterday morning, and the University torpid races were rowed in the afternoon in bitterly cold weather. Thirty-one crews took part in the races, two more than last year. Altogether the conditions were most unpleasant for the crews, wind and stream being against them.

  The third division of boats started in the following order :— Worcester, Hertford, Oriel, Jesus, Brasenose 2, St. John's 2, Keble 2, St. Catherine's, Wadham, Trinity 2, and St. Edmund Hall. Hertford pressed Worcester from the start and made the bump under the Willows. Jesus, after a hard race, finished a quarter of a length in front of Brasenose 2. St. Catherine's overtook Keble 2 before reaching the Long Bridges, and Trinity 2 bumped Wadham at the boathouse.

  The second division order of starting was :— Lincoln, Balliol 2, Merton, University 2, Magdalen 2, Keble, Queen's, Corpus, Christ Church 2, St. John's, and Hertford. An exciting contest ended in Lincoln finishing two or three yards in front of Balliol 2. Keble bumped Magdalen 2 at the Willows. Corpus caught Queen's near the crossing, and St. John's had no difficulty in bumping Christ Church 2, the latter having to give way before the Weir's bridge was reached.

  The first division of starting was :— University, Magdalen, Christ Church, Balliol, New College, New College 2, Exeter, Brasenose, Pembroke, Trinity, and Lincoln. There was a magnificent race for the greater part of the course for the headship. At the Red Post University led by three-quarters of a length, but from this point Magdalen came up rapidly and bumped University shortly after passing the boathouse. Balliol overtook Christ Church near the Freewater stone. Exeter bumped New College early in the race, and Trinity bumped Pembroke, who had to make two changes in their crew at the last moment, at the Weir's bridge.

• The Times Sat 23 Feb

  The torpids were continued yesterday in fine weather. There was, however, a troublesome wind.

  The third division started in the following order :— Hertford, Worcester, Oriel, Jesus, Brasenose II, St. John's II, St. Catherine's, Keble II, Trinity II, Wadham, and St. Edmund Hall. Oriel came up rapidly after passing the Freewater Stone and bumped Worcester near the crossing. There was a close race between Jesus and Brasenose II but a length separated the boats at the finish. Keble II were overtaken by Trinity II under the Willows.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Lincoln, Balliol II, Merton, University II, Keble, Magdalen II, Corpus, Queen's, St. John's, Christ Church II, and Hertford. Balliol II gained rapidly on Lincoln and made their bump under the Willows. Merton were pressed by University II but the latter were caught by Keble after passing the Cherwell. St. John's bumped Queen's before the Weirs-bridge was reached.

  The first division order of starting was :— Magdalen, University, Balliol, Christ Church, New College, Exeter, New College 2, Brasenose, Trinity, Pembroke, and Balliol II. Magdalen had no difficulty in maintaing the headship. University, on the other hand, soon found themselves in danger, and Balliol succeeded in bumping them near the Long-bridge [sic]. Brasenose overtook New College II soon after passing the Freewater Stone, and Balliol II made their second bump of the afternoon by catching Pembroke under the Willows.

• The Times Mon 25 Feb

  The Torpids were continued on Saturday in fine weather, the sun shining throughout the afternoon.

  The third division of boats started in the following order :— Hertford, Oriel, Worcester, Jesus, Brasenose II, St. John's II, St. Catherine's, Trinity II, Keble II, Wadham, and St. Edmund Hall. There was only one bump, Wadham overtaking Keble II near the green bank.

  Second Division: Order of starting :— Pembroke. Lincoln, Merton, Keble, University II, Magdalen II, Corpus, St. John's, Queen's, Christ Church II, and Hertford. Pembroke for a considerable distance was hard pressed by Lincoln, but ultimately passed the flag a length to the good. Keble bumped Merton at the New Cut. University II were caught by Magdalen II at the Long Bridges, St. John's went off at a rapid stroke and displaced Corpus at the Weir's Bridge, whilst Christ Church II bumped Queen's before reaching the Corporation Ferry.

  First Division.— Order of starting :— Magdalen, Balliol, University, Christ Church, New College, Exeter, Brasenose, New College II, Trinity, Balliol II, and Pembroke. After Balliol had displayed such excellent form on Friday great interest was taken in the struggle for the headship, which Magdalen had secured from University on the opening evening of the races. Balliol, rowing well together, soon began to gain on Magdalen and made the bump at the Long Bridges. Trinity succeeded in catching New Colege II at the Corporation Ferry. These were the only changes in this division.

• The Times Tue 26 Feb

  The fourth day's racing took place, yesterday afternoon, in favourable weather, and in the presence of a large number of spectators.

  The third division of boats started in the following order :— Hertford, Oriel, Worcester, Jesus, Brasenose 2, St. John's 2, St. Catherine's, Trinity 2, Wadham, Keble 2, and St. Edmund Hall. After passing the long bridges, Oriel came up rapidly and at the boathouse got within a few feet of Hertford. Soon afterwards, the latter improved their position and finished half a length to the good. Trinity 2 bumped St. Catherine's at the crossing, and St. Edmund Hall caught Keble 2 at the ferry.

  The second division order of starting was :— Pembroke. Lincoln, Keble, Merton, Magdalen 2, University 2, St. John's, Corpus, Christ Church 2, Queen's, and Hertford. There were five bumps in this division. Lincoln gained considerably on Pembroke early in the race, but were unable to sustain the effort, and Keble, coming up rapidly under the Willows, bumped Lincoln at the Cherwell. Magdalen 2 caught Merton opposite Saunders-bridge. St. John's bumped University 2 at the ferry; Christ Church 2 overtook Corpus near the Freewater stone; and Hertford bumped Queen's just before reaching the long bridges.

  The first division order of starting was :— Balliol, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, New College, Exeter, Brasenose, Trinity, New College 2, Balliol 2, and Pembroke. Balliol kept their position without difficulty, and were three lengths in front of Magdalen at the finish. After a capital struggle, Trinity bumped Brasenose opposite the Pembroke barge. There was an exciting race between New College 2 and Balliol 2, the latter crew making a bump at the Brasenose barge.

• The Times Wed 27 Feb

  With favourable weather and interesting racing large crowds gathered at the riverside to witness the fifth day's Torpid races yesterday afternoon.

  The third division started in the following order :— Queen's, Oriel, Worcester, Jesus, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Trinity II, St. Catherine's, Wadham, and St. Edmund Hall (and Keble II?) Queen's were once more unfortunate, losing a place for the fifth time. Oriel went off at a fast stroke and made the bump at the Corporation Ferry. There was a close struggle throughout between Worcester and Jesus, the former finishing a quarter of a length to the good. Trinity II got to within half a length of St. John's II; Wadham overtook St. Catherine's at the Willows.

  Second Division.— Order of start :— Pembroke. Keble, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Merton, St. John's, University II, Christ Church II, Corpus, Hertford, and Oriel. Five bumps took place. Keble overtook Pembroke soon after passing the Long Briddges. Magdalen II bumped Lincoln at the Willows. St. John's displaced Merton at the Long Bridges. Christ Church II overtook University II at the same spot, and Hertford caught Corpus at the Freewater Stone.

  First Division.— Order of start :— Balliol, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, New College, Exeter, Trinity, Brasenose, Balliol II, New College II, and Keble. Balliol finished fully four lengths in front of Magdalen. New College were hard pressed by Exeter, who in turn were driven along by Trinity. The last named succeeded in making the bump opposite the Christ Church Barge. A capital race took place between New College II and Keble, a quarter of a length separating the boats at the finish.

• The Times Thu 28 Feb

  Delightful weather prevailed yesterday afternoon at Oxford, when the Torpid races were brought to a conclusion.

  The third division started in the following order :— Oriel, Queen's, Worcester, Jesus, Brasenose 2, St. John's 2, Trinity 2, Wadham, St. Catherine's, St. Edmund Hall, and Keble 2. Queen's were closely pursued by Worcester, but succeeded in getting home a few yards to the good. The most exciting race was between St. Catherine's and St. Edmund Hall. The last named made two shots, but without effect, and at the finish little more than a foot separated the boats.

  The second division order of starting was :— Keble, Pembroke. Magdalen 2, Lincoln, St. John's, Merton, Christ Church 2, University 2, Hertford, Corpus, and Oriel. Magdalen 2 came up rapidly under the green bank, and bumped Pembroke at the Red Post. St. John's were once more successful, overtaking Lincoln soon after passing the Corporation Ferry. Christ Church 2 caught Merton at the Freewater Stone. University 2 were hard pressed by Hertford, and Oriel bumped Corpus at the Ferry.

  The first division order of starting was :— Balliol, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, New College, Trinity, Exeter, Brasenose, Balliol 2, New College 2, and Keble. Balliol finished head of the river with the greatest ease, rowing up several lengths in front of Magdalen. New College 2 experienced some trouble in avoiding Keble. No bump took place in this division.

  During the six days' racing 46 bumps were made, St. John's being the most successful with six, Keble followed with five, Trinity, Magdalen 2, and Christ Church 2 made four each, Balliol, Balliol 2, Hertford, Oriel, and Trinity 2 three each, Wadham two, and Magdalen, Exeter, Brasenose, St. Catherine's, Corpus, and St. Edmund Hall one each. Queen's lost five places, New College 2, Pembroke, Lincoln, Merton, University 2, and Keble 2 four each, Corpus three, University and Worcester two each, and Christ Church and St. Catherine's one each. It is ten years [actually 1899] since Balliol was at the head of the river.

• In other news ... [1907]

  Monarch: Edward VII

  Prime Minister: Henry Campbell-Bannerman (Liberal)

  21 Feb

  The English mail steamship Berlin is wrecked off the Hook of Holland; 142 lives are lost.

  24 Feb

  The Austrian Lloyd steamship Imperatrix, from Trieste to Bombay, is wrecked on Cape of Crete and sinks; 137 lives are lost.

  27 Feb

  The Old Bailey criminal court opens in London.

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