Torpids 1910

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 44 46 Christ Church 2 Christ Church 42 43 Balliol 3 Magdalen 39 34 Magdalen 4 New College 38 33 St John's 5 University 27 31 New College 6 St John's 23 24 Brasenose 7 Oriel 21 22 Trinity 8 Brasenose 19 19 Oriel 9 Trinity 18 16 University 10 Exeter 11 14 Keble 11 Pembroke 9 10 Pembroke 12 Keble 8 8 Corpus Christi 13 Corpus Christi 8 7 Hertford 14 Queen's 7 7 Exeter 15 Hertford 7 6 Worcester 16 Wadham 5 6 Wadham 17 Merton 5 5 Queen's 18 Worcester 4 5 Merton 19 Lincoln 3 3 Lincoln 20 Jesus 3 3 Jesus 21 St Catherine's 1 2 St Edmund Hall 22 St Edmund Hall 1 1 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg St John's 2[ 2] 9[ 1] 4.50[ 2] Christ Church 3[ 1] 7[ 2] 2.33[ 5] Keble 2[ 2] 7[ 2] 3.50[ 4] St Edmund Hall 1[13] 5[ 4] 5.00[ 1] Worcester 1[13] 4[ 5] 4.00[ 3] Wadham 2[ 2] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 6] Hertford 1[13] 1[ 7] 1.00[ 6] Pembroke 1[13] 1[ 7] 1.00[ 6] Jesus 1[13] 1[ 7] 1.00[ 6] Corpus Christi 1[13] 0[10] 0.00[10] Brasenose 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] Lincoln 1[13] 0[10] 0.00[10] Merton 1[13] 0[10] 0.00[10] Balliol 2[ 2] -1[14] -0.50[14] Magdalen 2[ 2] -2[15] -1.00[15] Oriel 2[ 2] -2[15] -1.00[15] St Catherine's 1[13] -2[15] -2.00[18] Trinity 2[ 2] -3[18] -1.50[17] Queen's 2[ 2] -5[19] -2.50[19] Exeter 1[13] -5[19] -5.00[21] New College 2[ 2] -7[21] -3.50[20] University 2[ 2] -10[22] -5.00[21]

• 6 days: Thu 17 – Wed 23 Feb, 1910
• There is a [Photo] entitled 'The Torpids a flooded towpath, 1910'.

• The Times Fri 18 Feb

  The Oxford University Torpid races began at Oxford yesterday afternoon in very rough weather. The entries numbered 35, one crew less than last year.

  The third division crews were started in the following order :— Wadham, Lincoln, Trinity II, Jesus, St. John's II, Oriel II, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Christ Church III, Queen's II, St. Catherine's, Keble II, and St. Edmund's Hall. Jesus bumped Trinity II at the Long Bridges; Wadham II bumped Oriel II under the Green Bank; and Keble II bumped St. Catherine's before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The second division crews were started in the following order :— Exeter, New College II, Pembroke, Corpus, Keble, Hertford, Christ Church II, Queen's, Merton, University II, Worcester, and Wadham. Pembroke bumped New College II at the Long Bridges; Keble bumped Corpus just after passing the Free Water Stone; Christ Church II bumped Hertford at the Red Post; Merton bumped Queen's at the Long Bridges; and Worcester bumped University II at the Red Post.

  The first division crews were started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, New College, Magdalen, University, St. John's, Oriel, Brasenose, Trinity, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Exeter. Christ Church had no difficulty in maintaining their position at the head of the river. St. John's bumped University shortly before reaching the Long Bridges. An exciting race took place between Oriel, Brasenose, and Trinity. Brasenose, pressed by Trinity were close to Oriel at the Free Water Stone, and shortly afterwards made their bump. The Oriel boat could not get clear, and was run into by Trinity and sunk, and Magdalen II rowed past, so were credited with a bump [on Trinity]. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 18 Feb

  Oxford University "Torpids" commenced yesterday, when the crews had to contend against a swollen stream and a very high wind.

  In the third division Wadham easily kept their position as head. Trinity II were bumped by Jesus at the Gut, Oriel II fell victims to Wadham II at the Green Bank, whilst Keble II caught St. Catherine's very easily.

  Some remarkable racing was seen in the second division, only the first (Exeter) and last boats rowing through. Pembroke bumped New [II] at the Long Bridges, Keble caught Corpus at the Boathouse, Hertford were overtaken by Christ Church II at the Red Post, Merton ran into Queen's leaving the Gut, and Worcester, after a bad start, overtook University II at the Crossing.

  Christ Church, head of the river, easily kept away from Balliol in the first division. New and Magdalen also finished in their starting order, but St. John's bumped University at the Long Bridges. Brasenose ran into Oriel at the Green Bank. The Oriel boat got in the way of Trinity, who lost a place to Magdalen II in consequences. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Times Sat 19 Feb

  At the opening of the Torpid Races at Oxford yesterday there was a violent storm of wind and rain and several of the crews had narrow escapes of being swamped.

  The third division crews started in the following order :— Wadham, Lincoln, Jesus, Trinity II, St. John's II, Wadham II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Christ Church III, Queen's II, Keble II, St. Catherine's, and St. Edmund's Hall. St. John's II bumped Trinity II at the WIllows; Brasenose II bumped Oriel II just before reaching the Long Bridges; Keble II bumped Queen's II at the Long Bridges; and St. Catherine's were bumped by St. Edmund's Hall after passing the Free Water Stone.

  The second division crews started in the following order :— Exeter, Pembroke, New College II, Keble, Corpus, Christ Church II, Hertford, Merton, Queen's, Worcester, University II, and Wadham. Pembroke bumped Exeter at the Long Bridges; Keble bumped New College II near Rough's Boat House; Worcester bumped Queen's at the Ferry, the latter boat being swamped; Wadham bumped University II as they approached the New College Barge.

  The first division crews started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, New College, Magdalen, St. John's, University, Brasenose, Oriel, Magdalen II, Trinity, Balliol II, and Pembroke. Magdalen were bumped by St. John's just before reaching the Long Bridges; Brasenose bumped University under the Willows; and Trinity regained the position they had lost on the previous day by bumping Magdalen II. shortly after passing the Free Water Stone. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 19 Feb

  Variable weather prevailed for the continuation of the torpid races at Oxford yesterday.

  In the third division the three leading boats, Wadham, Lincoln, and Jesus maintained their order; but St. John's II bumped Trinity II at the Willows, and after Wadham II had paddled through, Oriel II were caught by Brasenose II as they were leaving the Gut. Keble II bumped Queen's II at the same spot, and St. Edmund Hall caught St. Catherine's at the Long Bridges.

  In Division 2 Pembroke continued their upward career, bumping the first boat, Exeter, as they were leaving the Gut. Keble easily overtook New College II, and Worcester made short work of Queen's; whilst University II were caught by Wadham.

  There were no alterations in the positions of the three leading boats in the First Division, Christ Church, Balliol, and New College. Magdalen proved no match for St. John's, and University lost another place, this time to Brasenose. Oriel paddled up, and Trinity recovered the place they lost unluckily the previous day by bumping Magdalen coming out of the Gut. Balliol II and Pembroke finished as they started.

• The Times Mon 21 Feb

  A strong southerly wind, blowing with the force of a gale, caused considerable inconvenience to the crews during the Torpid races at Oxford on Saturday. In Iffley Reach, the water repeatedly broke over the bows of the boats, and several of them narrowly escaped being swamped.

  The Third Division crews started in the following order :— University [II], Lincoln, Jesus, St. John's II, Trinity II, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Christ Church III, Keble II, Queen's II, St. Edmund's Hall, and St. Catherine's. Lincoln bumped University [II] at the entrance to the Cherwell; Jesus were bumped by St. John's at the Red Post; Wadham II bumped Trinity II near the boathouse; Oriel II bumped Brasenose II at the Freewater Stone; and Queen's were bumped by St. Edmund's Hall shortly before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The Second Division crews started in the following order :— Pembroke, Exeter, Keble, New College II, Corpus, Christ Church II, Hertford, Merton, Worcester, Queen's, Wadham, and Lincoln. Keble bumped Exeter soon after passing the Freewater Stone; New College II were bumped by Corpus before reaching the Long Bridges; and Merton were bumped by Worcester near the same spot.

  The First Division crews started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, New College, St. John's, Magdalen, Brasenose, University, Oriel, Trinity, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Pembroke. Christ Church kept their position at the head of the river without difficulty. There was only one change in the Division, University being bumped by Oriel at the Ferry. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 21 Feb

  The Oxford Torpids were continued on Saturday under very trying conditions.

  In the third division Lincoln bumped University, the head boat, after a great struggle. St. John's II easily overtook Jesus, and Wadham II did likewise with Trinity II. New II [? presumably Brasenose II] fell easy prey to Oriel II, and Queen's II were caught by St. Edmund's Hall before they were through the Gut.

  In the second division Keble caught Exeter at the Gut, Corpus bumped New II at the Freewater Stone, and Worcester easily conquered Merton.

  In the first division Christ Church had no trouble in keeping the head, whilst Balliol, New, St. John's, Magdalen, and Brasenose also rowed through. University were overhauled by Oriel at the Freewater Stone, that being the only bump in the division.

• The Times Tue 22 Feb

  There was a great improvement in the weather when the Torpid Races were continued at Oxford yesterday.

  The Third Division crews started in the following order :— Lincoln, University II, St. John's II, Jesus, Wadham II, Trinity II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Christ Church III, Keble II, St. Edmund's Hall, Queen's II, and St. Catherine's. St. John's II bumped University II soon after passing the Weirs Bridge; Oriel II bumped Trinity II soon after passing the Oriel Barge; Christ Church III bumped Brasenose II at the Crossing; and St. Edmund's Hall bumped Keble II very early in the race.

  The Second Division crews started in the following order :— Pembroke, Keble, Exeter, Corpus, New College II, Christ Church II, Hertford, Worcester, Merton, Queen's, Wadham, and Lincoln. Keble bumped Pembroke soon after passing the boat-house; Corpus Christi bumped Exeter on approaching the Willows; and Christ Church II bumped New College II shortly before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The First Division crews started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, New College, St. John's, Magdalen, Brasenose, Oriel, University, Trinity, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Keble. Brasenose bumped Magdalen opposite the Magdalen Barge; and Trinity bumped University at the Ferry. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 22 Feb

  When the Torpid races were continued at Oxford yesterday, the conditions were somewhat better than they had been formerly. Racing was again interesting, though bumps were not so plentiful as on Saturday.

  The top boat of Division 3, Lincoln, had a very easy journey, as University II, who followed, were caught by St. John's [II] very soon after starting. Jesus escaped Wadham II after a hard race. Trinity II were caught by Oriel II at the college barge, and Christ Church III ran into Brasenose II at the crossing. St. Edmund's Hall easily accounted for Keble II.

  In the Second Division Keble ascended to first place after a magnificent race with Pembroke. Corpus got the better of Exeter in the Gut, and New II fell to Christ Church II at the Freshwater [sic] Stone. Hertford just escaped Worcester and Queen's did the same with Wadham.

  In the First Division Christ Church, Balliol, New College, and St. John's finished in their starting order; but Brasenose bumped Magdalen opposite the latter's barge. University descended another place, falling victims to Trinity at the Ferry, but Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Keble finished well away from each other.

• The Times Wed 23 Feb

  The Torpid Races were continued at Oxford yesterday in changeable weather.

  The Third Division crews started in the following order :— Lincoln, St. John's II, University II, Jesus, Wadham II, Oriel II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, Brasenose II, St. Edmund's Hall, Keble II, Queen's II, and St. Catharine's. St. John's II bumped Lincoln at the Long Bridges; University II were bumped by Jesus soon after passing the Free Water Stone; Trinity II were bumped by Christ Church III at the Long Bridges; Brasenose II were bumped by St. Edmund's Hall near the Weirs Bridge.

  The Second Division crews started in the following order :— Keble, Pembroke, Corpus Christi, Exeter, Christ Church II, New College II, Hertford, Worcester, Merton, Queen's, Wadham, and St. John's II. Exeter were bumped by Christ Church II just before reaching the Long Bridges; New College II were bumped by Hertford near the Free Water Stone; St. John's II made their second bump in the afternoon by overtaking Wadham at the Long Bridge.

  The First Division crews started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, New College, St. John's, Brasenose, Magdalen, Oriel, Trinity, University, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Keble. St. John's bumped New College under the Willows; Trinity bumped Oriel soon after passing the Free Water Stone; and Magdalen II bumped University soon after passing the Ferry. The races will be concluded to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 23 Feb

  Variable weather prevailed whilst the Torpids were in progress yesterday.

  In the Third Division, St. John's II once more improved their position, and passed to the head by bumping Lincoln. University II went down, for the fifth time, to Jesus; and Trinity II had to give place to Christ Church III. St. Edmund's Hall made their fourth bump at the expense of Brasenose II.

  In the Second Division, Keble, Pembroke, and Corpus rowed up in this order, but Exeter again descended, being caught by Christ Church [II] half-way through the Gut. New [II] also went down again, Hertford bumping them at the Freewater Stone. The only other bump was by St. John's II, who caught Wadham.

  In the First Division, Christ Church and Balliol rowed up, but New were caught by St. John's under the Willows. Brasenose and Magdalen finished in their order, but Oriel fell victims to Trinity coming out of the Gut, and Magdalen II caught University at the Freewater Stone.

• The Times Thu 24 Feb

  The Torpid Races at Oxford were brought to a close yesterday afternoon. Owing to the recent heavy rains the towing-path in many places was under water.

  The Third Division crews started in the following order :— Wadham, Lincoln, Jesus, University II, Wadham II, Oriel II, Christ Church III, Trinity II, St. Edmund's Hall, Brasenose II, Keble II, Queen's II, and St. Catharine's. Christ Church III bumped Oriel II at the Red Post; St. Edmund's Hall bumped Trinity II at the Ferry; and Keble II bumped Brasenose II at the Boathouse.

  The Second Division crews started in the following order :— Keble, Pembroke, Corpus Christi, Christ Church II, Exeter, Hertford, New College II, Worcester, Merton, Queen's, St. John's II, and Wadham. Christ Church II bumped Corpus Christi opposite the Willows; Hertford bumped Exeter at the Ferry; New College II were bumped by Worcester approaching Rough's Boathouse; and St. John's II bumped Queen's at the Free Water Stone.

  The First Division crews started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, St. John's, New College, Brasenose, Magdalen, Trinity, Oriel, Magdalen II, University, Balliol II, and Keble. Christ Church had no difficulty in retaining their position as 'head of the river', and finished three or four lengths in front of Balliol. Trinity bumped Magdalen soon after passing the Free Water Stone. There was a splendid race between University, Balliol II, and Keble. University were hard pressed by Balliol II when the last named were bumped by Keble at the Free Water Stone.

  During the six days' racing 59 bumps were made, St. John's II heading the list with six, while Keble and St. Edmund's Hall secured five each. New College II and Trinity II each lost six places and University, Exeter, and University II five places each.

  The names of the Christ Church crew are as follows :— [listed below]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 24 Feb

  Sunshine and rain alternated when the Torpids races were concluded yesterday. Bumps were again numerous and it is doubtful if the boats in the Lower Divisions had found their level when the end came. Christ Church left off head of the river. St. John's, in addition to having a first crew that registered three bumps, can point to a record on the part of their second boat, which went up six places. St. Edmund's Hall secured five places, and Keble achieved a similar record; but on the whole the rowing did not reach a very high standard. Wadham left off head of the Third Division, and Keble finished at the top of the Second without any trouble.

• In other news ... [1910]

  Monarch: Edward VII

  Prime Minister: H. H. Asquith (Liberal)

  19 Feb

  Old Trafford, the largest football stadium in England with an 80,000 capacity, is opened. Manchester United's first game there is a 43 home defeat to Liverpool in the Football League First Division

  21 Feb

  King Edward VII opened the new session of the British Parliament.

  23 Feb

  George Bernard Shaw's latest play, Misalliance: A Debate in One Sitting, premiered at the Duke of York's Theatre at London's West End, and baffled critics and audiences.

Return to Bumps Index