Torpids 1911

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Christ Church 44 46 Balliol 2 Balliol 41 38 New College 3 Magdalen 32 38 Christ Church 4 St John's 31 37 Magdalen 5 New College 30 26 Trinity 6 Brasenose 23 23 University 7 Trinity 21 20 St John's 8 Oriel 18 19 Oriel 9 University 15 15 Brasenose 10 Keble 13 10 Corpus Christi 11 Pembroke 9 9 Pembroke 12 Corpus Christi 8 7 Keble 13 Hertford 7 7 Hertford 14 Exeter 6 6 Lincoln 15 Worcester 6 5 Merton 16 Wadham 5 4 Exeter 17 Merton 4 4 Worcester 18 Queen's 4 3 Wadham 19 Lincoln 3 3 Jesus 20 Jesus 3 3 Queen's 21 St Edmund Hall 2 2 St Edmund Hall 22 St Catherine's 1 1 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg New College 2[ 2] 6[ 1] 3.00[ 3] Lincoln 1[12] 6[ 1] 6.00[ 1] University 2[ 2] 5[ 3] 2.50[ 5] St Edmund Hall 1[12] 4[ 4] 4.00[ 2] Corpus Christi 1[12] 3[ 5] 3.00[ 3] Trinity 2[ 2] 3[ 5] 1.50[ 7] Magdalen 2[ 2] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 8] Balliol 2[ 2] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 8] Jesus 1[12] 2[ 7] 2.00[ 6] St Catherine's 1[12] 1[10] 1.00[ 8] Merton 1[12] 1[10] 1.00[ 8] Brasenose 2[ 2] 0[12] 0.00[12] Hertford 1[12] 0[12] 0.00[12] Pembroke 1[12] 0[12] 0.00[12] Queen's 1[12] -2[15] -2.00[16] Christ Church 3[ 1] -3[16] -1.00[15] Exeter 1[12] -3[16] -3.00[18] Worcester 1[12] -3[16] -3.00[18] Oriel 2[ 2] -4[19] -2.00[16] St John's 2[ 2] -6[20] -3.00[18] Keble 2[ 2] -6[20] -3.00[18] Wadham 2[ 2] -8[22] -4.00[22]

• 6 days: Thu 23 Feb – Wed 1 Mar, 1911
• There is a video of racing on 1 March on [You Tube], filmed from the towpath along the Green Bank. This also shows the barges moored all along 'Boathouse island'. From The Times reports I'd speculate that this opens with Jesus about to bump Queen's in Div III (which happened at the Cherwell) and finishes with Div II where you can see two crews easied by Long Bridges, which I assume are Merton and Exeter from Div II who bumped 'just before 'Long Bridges'

• The Times Fri 24 Feb

  The Oxford University Torpid Races were begun at Oxford yesterday in very rough weather.

  The third division crews were started in the following order :— Wadham, Lincoln, Jesus, University II, Wadham II, Christ Church III, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall, Trinity II, Keble II, Brasenose II, Queen's II, and St. Catharine's. Lincoln bumped Wadham just before reaching the Long Bridges; St. Edmund Hall bumped Oriel soon after passing the Corporation Ferry; St. Catharine's were credited with a bump through Queen's II being unable to get a crew together at the last moment owing to the illness of some of their men.

  The second division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol II, Pembroke, Christ Church II, Corpus, Hertford, Exeter, Worcester, New College II, Merton, St. John's II, Queen's, and Lincoln. New College II bumped Worcester at the Christ Church Barge; and Lincoln bumped Queen's soon after passing the Free Water Stone.

  The first division crews were started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, St. John's, New College, Brasenose, Trinity, Magdalen, Oriel, Magdalen II, University, Keble, and Balliol II. St. John's were bumped by New College just before reaching the Long Bridges; and Balliol II bumped Keble at the Free Water Stone.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 24 Feb

  The foul weather flag was flying at Oxford, yesterday, when the Torpid eight races commenced. A perfect hurricane blew, and quite demoralised most of the crews. The entry this year is not so good as in some previous seasons. Bumps were not numerous, only a couple resulting in each of the Second and Third Divisions; whilst there were four in the First Division.

  In the Third Division Lincoln caught Wadham at the Gut; but Jesus kept well clear of University II, who finished their distance in front of Wadham II. The latter finished five lengths ahead of Christ Church III. St. Edmund's Hall speedily caught Oriel II, and the other boats finished in their starting order, except that Queen's were unable to put on a crew owing to several cases of sickness, and St. Catherine's went up a place in consequence.

  Ballio II maintained their place at the head of the Second Division without much difficulty. Pembroke II, Christ Church II, Corpus, Hertford and Exeter finished as they started, but New College II caught Worcester after a fine race, at the Christ Church barge. Merton and St. John's rowed over; but Queen's fell to Lincoln before reaching the Gut.

  In the First Division the head boat, Christ Church, had the utmost difficulty in keeping clear of Balliol, and had but a quarter of a length to spare at the finish. New College caught St. John's without much difficulty, and Brasenose fell to Trinity after a prolonged struggle. Magdalen and Oriel rowed over; but Magdalen II were beaten by University coming out of the Gut, and a little lower down Keble were bumped by Balliol II.

  The races will be resumed to-day.

• The Times Sat 25 Feb

  The University Torpid Races were continued at Oxford yesterday in a strong wind, which interfered considerably with the crews.

  The third division crews were started in the following order :— Queen's, Wadham I, Jesus, University II, Wadham II, Christ Church III, St. Edmund Hall, Oriel II, Trinity II, Keble II, Brasenose II, and St. Catharine's. Wadham I were bumped by Christ Church III near the Red Post; Oriel II were bumped by Trinity II at the Free Water Stone; and Keble II were bumped by Brasenose II at the Crossing.

  The second division crews were started in the following order :— Keble, Pembroke, Christ Church II, Corpus Christi, Hertford, Exeter, New College II, Worcester, Merton, St. John's II, Lincoln, and Queen's. Pembroke bumped Keble under the Willows; Corpus Christi bumped Christ Church II just before reaching the Boathouse; New College II bumped Exeter near the Long Bridges; and Lincoln bumped St. John's II soon after passing the Free Water Stone.

  The first division crews were started in the following order :— Christ Church, Balliol, New College, St. John's, Trinity, Brasenose, Magdalen, Oriel, University, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Pembroke. An exciting race for the headship ended in Balliol bumping Christ Church at the Red Post; Trinity bumped St. John's near the Long Bridges; Magdalen bumped Brasenose opposite the New Cut; and University bumped Oriel near the Worcester Barge.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 25 Feb

  The second and third division crews in these races again experienced trying conditions yesterday, but by the time the first division boats started the wind had moderated somewhat. Racing was fairly exciting, and in each division four bumps were made.

  The head boat in division three (Queen's) rowed up easily, but Wadham were caught by Jesus College opposite the Free Ferry. University paddled up as Wadham 3 [? 2 presumably] succumbed to Christ Church 3 at the Red Post. St. Edmund's Hall came up alone, Oriel 2 making a poor fight against Trinity 2, whilst Keble 2 fell to Brasenose 2 at the Crossing.

  In the second division Pembroke passed to the head by bumping Keble at the Willows. Christ Church 2 were caught by Corpus just before reaching the boathouse. Hertford rowed up, but New 2 made short work of Exeter. Worcester had hard work to escape Merton, but got home with a length to spare. Lincoln gained another place at the expense of St. John's 2 in the Gut.

  Great excitement was created by the meeting of Christ Church and Balliol in the first division. The latter rowed in much better form than on the opening day, and passed to the head by bumping Christ Church at the Red Post. New College rowed up, but Trinity followed the example of their second boat and gained a place, catching St. John's coming through the Gut. Magdalen overtook Brasenose after a great races, and University bumped Oriel at the Worcester barge. Magdalen 2 finished two lengths ahead of Balliol 2.

  Racing will be continued to-day.

• The Times Mon 27 Feb

  There was an improvement in the weather on Saturday, and the Torpid races at Oxford were rowed in much more favourable conditions.

  The third division crews were started in the following order :— Queen's, Jesus, Wadham, University II, Christ Church III, Wadham II, St. Edmund Hall, Trinity II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Keble II, and St. Catharine's. Wadham II ran into the bank soon after starting and St. Edmund Hall rowed past them, and Oriel II were bumped by Brasenose II at the Free Water Stone.

  The second division crews were started in the following order :— Pembroke, Keble, Corpus Christi, Christ Church II, Hertford, New College II, Exeter, Worcester, Merton, Lincoln, St. John's II, and Queen's. Keble were bumped by Corpus Christi soon after passing the new boat-house; New College II bumped Hertford just before reaching the Long Bridges; and Merton were bumped by Lincoln at the Crossing.

  The first division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, Christ Church, New College, Trinity, St. John's, Magdalen, Brasenose, University, Oriel, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Pembroke. University bumped Brasenose near the Lincon barge.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 27 Feb

  The torpid eights races were continued on Saturday under rather boisterous conditions, when bumps were not so prolific as on the previous afternoon.

  Queen's and Jesus rowed up in the Third Division, although stroke in the latter boat nearly let up Wadham through catching a crab. Wadham kept clear of University II, and Christ Church III were not pressed, as Wadham II ran into the bank soon after starting and thus lost a place to St. Edmund's Hall. Trinity II paddled up; but Brasenose II caught Oriel [II] at the Freewater Stone.

  In the Second Division Pembroke easily retained first place; but the next boat Keble was caught at the New Boat Houses [sic] by Corpus. Christ Church II escaped Hertford, who were bumped by New College in the Gut. The only other bump was by Lincoln, at the expense of Merton.

  Balliol, who had gone to the head of the First Division the previous evening, remained there, though they had only a quarter of a length to spare from Christ Church. New, Trinity, St. John's, and Magdalen kept their places, and the only bump was by the eighth boat, University, who caught Brasenose at the Lincoln barge.

• The Times Tue 28 Feb

  The Torpid Races at Oxford were continued yesterday in cold and unpleasant weather.

  The third division crews were started in the following order :— Queen's, Jesus, Wadham, University II, Christ Church III, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Trinity II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Keble II, and St. Catharine's. University II bumped Wadham at the Free Water Stone; St. Edmund Hall bumped Christ Church II at the Willows; Brasenose II bumped Trinity II under the Green Bank; and Keble II bumped Oriel II at almost the same spot.

  The second division crews were started in the following order :— Pembroke, Corpus Christi, Keble, Christ Church II, New College II, Hertford, Exeter, Worcester, Lincoln, Merton, St. John's II, and Queen's. Christ Church II bumped Keble near the Free Water Stone and Lincoln bumped Worcester soon after passing the Corporation Ferry.

  The first division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, Christ Church, New College, Trinity, St. John's, Magdalen, University, Brasenose, Oriel, Magdalen II, Balliol II, and Pembroke. Balliol easily retained the headship. There was, however, a determined struggle between New College and Christ Church. The former gained rapidly after passing the Long Bridges, and at the Red Post a shot was made for the bump, but just failed. New College continued to persevere, and at a third attempt, opposite the Christ Church barge, appeared to be successful, but Christ Church rowed on and passed the post 2ft. to the good. The bump was claimed by New College, and, after hearing evidence, a decision was given by the committee at 8 o'clock last night, allowing the bump. Magdalen bumped St. John's at the Cherwell; and Brasenose were bumped by Oriel at Saunders Bridge.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 28 Feb

  The Torpid eights raced yesterday under wet and cheerless conditions.

  In the Third Division, the first two boats — Queen's and Jesus — rowed over; but Wadham, who had rowed through on Saturday, had no chance with University II behind them. St. Edmund's Hall bumped Christ Church III after a prolonged struggle. Wadham II just escaped Trinity II, who, in turn, were hard pressed by Brasenose II, the latter making their bump under the Green Bank, where Keble II also caught Oriel II.

  Lincoln were again on the upgrade in the Second Division, making their fifth bump at the expense of Merton, [? presumably Worcester] and St. Edmund's overhauled Christ Church III fairly early [sic, presumably the bump by Christ Church II on Keble].

  In the First Division, Balliol rowed better than ever, and retained their place at the head; but Christ Church experienced another reverse, New College effecting a bump at the Christ Church barge. Magdalden overhauled St. John's, after an exciting race, at the Cherwell, and Brasenose fell victims to Oriel at Saunders Bridge.

• The Times Wed 1 Mar

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

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

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Pembroke, Corpus Christi, Christ Church II, Keble, New College II, Hertford, Exeter, Lincoln, Worcester, Merton, St. John's II, and Queen's. Corpus Christi bumped Pembroke opposite the Pembroke Barge; New College II bumped Keble soon after passing the Free Water Stone; Exeter were bumped by Lincoln before reaching the Ferry; and Worcester were bumped by Merton at the New Cut.

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

  The races will be brought to a close to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 1 Mar

  The crews engaged in the Torpids dodged the heavy showers in lucky fashion yesterday afternoon, but a fitful south-westerly wind caused them a lot of trouble.

  In the Third Division, Queen's, Jesus, and University II rowed up in their order, but Wadham again met with disaster, St. Edmund's Hall catching them at the Gut. Christ Church II [? III] came up alone, Wadham II showing the same fate as their first crew, and falling to Brasenose II at the Freewater Stone. St. Catherine's scored their first bump at the expense of Oriel II.

  Corpus went into the First Division by vanquishing Pembroke, off the latter's barge. Christ Church II rowed up, but Keble fell to New College II, entering the Gut, leaving Hertford to paddle through. Exeter had no chance with Lincoln, and Worcester were caught by Merton at the New Cut.

  In the First Division, Balliol, New, Christ Church, Trinity, and Magdalen finished in their starting order, and it appears unlikely that there will be any change when the races conclude to-day. University bumped St. John's after a hard race, and Oriel rowed over, whilst the Magdalen second boat caught Brasenose off the Magdalen barge.

• The Times Thu 2 Mar

  The Torpid Races at Oxford were brought to a close yesterday in fine weather. There was, however, a strong wind, and the river was very high owing to the recent heavy rains.

  The third division crews were started in the following order :— Queen's, Jesus, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham, Christ Church III, Brasenose II, Wadham II, Trinity II, Keble II, St. Catherine's, and Oriel II. Jesus bumped Queen's at the Cherwell, Brasenose II bumped Christ Church III at the Free Water Stone, and Wadham II were bumped by Trinity II at the Boat House.

  The second division crews were started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Pembroke, Christ Church II, New College II, Keble, Hertford, Lincoln, Exeter, Merton, Worcester, St. John's II, and Jesus. Hertford bumped Keble at the Free Water Stone, and Merton bumped Exeter shortly before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The first division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, New College, Christ Church, Trinity, Magdalen, University, St. John's, Oriel, Magdalen II, Brasenose, Balliol II, and Corpus Christi. Balliol had no difficulty in maintaining the headship, and finished three lengths in front of New College. Oriel bumped St. John's at the Red Post.

  In the six nights' racing 50 bumps were made, Lincoln being credited with six, Brasenose II with five, University, New College II, and St. Edmund Hall with four each, and Corpus Christi with three. Keble have lost six places, St. John's, Brasenose, and Oriel II five each, Wadham and Wadham II four each, and Exeter and New College II three each.

  The names and weights of he Balliol crew are as follows :— [listed below]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 2 Mar
  Note: There are many inconsistencies compared to The Times account, but I assume The Times is accurate and consistent with the following year's starting order.

  The Torpid eight-oared races concluded yesterday in delightful weather. Balliol left off head of the river, and there is no doubt they are clearly entitled to the position on their merits, being both fast and powerful. The most successful boat was Lincoln, who finished up with a record of six bumps, whilst St. Edmund Hall and University each gained four places. Brasenose men will look back on the races with mixed feelings, for though their second crew made five bumps the first eight experienced an equal number of reverses. The most unsuccessful college was Keble, who went down every day of the six, whilst St. John's II [?] and Wadham II [?] sustained five reverses. Oriel II also had a bad time, and by falling to the bottom of the Third Division they relieved St. Catherine's of the wooden spoon.

  Yesterday, in the Third Division, Jesus, at the third attempt managed to deprive Queen's of first place; but only after another gruelling race. University II and St. Edmund Hall rowed up; but Wadham fell to Christ Church III. Brasenose II rowed through, but Wadham II fell to Trinity II, and Keble II were early [nearly?] bumped by St. Catherine's II [sic]

  The leading boat in Division Two, Corpus, easily kept the position gained the previous evening. Pembroke, Christ Church III [II?], New College II all rowed up. Hertford caught Keble at the Free Water Stone. Lincoln easily kept clear of Exeter, who were bumped by Merton at the Gut, and the remaining boats finished wide distances apart.

  In the First Division Balliol, New, Christ Church, Trinity, Magdalen and University finished in their starting order; but St. John's were caught by Oriel at the Red Post. This was the only bump in the division.

• In other news ... [1911]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: H. H. Asquith (Liberal)

  17 Feb

  The first "quasi-official" airmail flight occurs, when Fred Wiseman carries three letters between Petaluma and Santa Rosa, California.

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