Torpids 1912

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 41 41 Magdalen 2 New College 34 35 Christ Church 3 Christ Church 33 33 St John's 4 Magdalen 32 31 Balliol 5 Trinity 23 31 New College 6 University 19 17 Corpus Christi 7 St John's 17 17 Trinity 8 Oriel 16 14 University 9 Brasenose 12 13 Brasenose 10 Corpus Christi 9 8 Oriel 11 Pembroke 8 7 Pembroke 12 Keble 6 6 Keble 13 Hertford 6 6 Merton 14 Lincoln 4 4 Exeter 15 Merton 4 4 Lincoln 16 Exeter 4 3 Worcester 17 Worcester 3 3 Hertford 18 Jesus 2 2 Queen's 19 Queen's 2 2 St Edmund Hall 20 St Edmund Hall 2 2 Jesus 21 Wadham 2 1 Wadham

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg St John's 2[ 2] 11[ 1] 5.50[ 2] Corpus Christi 1[10] 6[ 2] 6.00[ 1] Merton 1[10] 3[ 3] 3.00[ 3] Christ Church 3[ 1] 3[ 3] 1.00[ 5] Magdalen 2[ 2] 2[ 5] 1.00[ 5] Brasenose 2[ 2] 2[ 5] 1.00[ 5] St Edmund Hall 1[10] 2[ 5] 2.00[ 4] Keble 2[ 2] 1[ 8] 0.50[10] Exeter 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 5] New College 2[ 2] 1[ 8] 0.50[10] Queen's 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 5] Worcester 1[10] 0[12] 0.00[12] Wadham 1[10] -1[13] -1.00[13] Pembroke 1[10] -1[13] -1.00[13] Lincoln 1[10] -2[15] -2.00[15] Jesus 1[10] -2[15] -2.00[15] Trinity 2[ 2] -4[17] -2.00[15] University 2[ 2] -5[18] -2.50[18] Balliol 2[ 2] -6[19] -3.00[19] Oriel 1[10] -6[19] -6.00[20] Hertford 1[10] -6[19] -6.00[20]

• 6 days: Thu 22 – Wed 28 Feb, 1912

• The Times Fri 23 Feb

  The Torpid races were begun at Oxford yesterday.

  The Third Division crews were started in the following order :— Worcester, St. John's II, Jesus, Queen's, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham, Brasenose II, Christ Church III, Trinity II, and Keble II. Queen's bumped Jesus at the Red Post; St. Edmund Hall bumped University II opposite the Hertford barge; Brasenose II bumped Wadham at the Boathouse; and Trinity II bumped Christ Church III opposite the Christ Church Barge.

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol II, Corpus Christi, Pembroke, Christ Church II, New College II, Hertford, Keble, Lincoln, Merton, Exeter, and Worcester. Corpus Christi bumped Balliol II opposite the Magdalen Barge; Christ Church II bumped Pembroke near the Freewater Stone; and Keble bumped Hertford at the Corporation Ferry.

  The First Division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, New College, Christ Church, Trinity, Magdalen, University, Oriel, St. John's, Magdalen II, Brasenose, and Corpus Christi. Magdalen bumped Trinity just before reaching the Long Bridges; and St. John's bumped Oriel soon after the start.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 24 Feb

  The Torpids opened yesterday in gusty weather, few people witnessing the racing. Altogether eight bumps were made, two of them in the First Division.

  In the Third Division Worcester easily held their own at the head; Queen's caught Jesus at the Red Post; University II fell to St. Edmund's Hall; and Wadham made a poor fight against Brasenose II. Of the last three boats Trinity II only just saved themselves from Keble II by bumping Christ Church III right at the end of the course.

  In the Second Division Corpus passed to the head at the expense of Balliol [II], and Pembroke fell to Christ Church II at the Gut. New College [II] paddled over, Hertford being caught by Keble near the Free Ferry. Lincoln just kept clear of Merton; whilst Exeter and Worcester followed a long way behind.

  Of the First Division Balliol, head of the river, retained their position after being rather pressed by New, the latter, in turn, being well away from Christ Church. Trinity were not fast enough for Magdalen, who bumped them before reaching the Gut. University paddled up; but Oriel succumbed to St. John's directly after the start. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Times Sat 25 Feb

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

  The Third Division crews were started in the following order :— Worcester, St. John's II, Queen's, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, University II, Brasenose II, Wadham, Trinity II, Christ Church III, and Keble II. St. John's II bumped Worcester soon after passing the Boathouse; St. Edmund Hall bumped Jesus at the Red Post. Number 4 in the University crew broke an oar and they were bumped by Brasenose II at the Weir Bridge; Keble II bumped Christ Church III just before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Balliol II, Christ Church II, Pembroke, New College II, Keble, Hertford, Lincoln, Merton, Exeter, and St. John's II. New College II bumped Pembroke shortly after passing the Boathouse; Lincoln bumped Hertford at the Corporation Ferry; and St. John's II bumped Exeter at the Green Bank.

  The First Division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, New College, Christ Church, Magdalen, Trinity, University, St. John's, Oriel, Magdalen II, Brasenose, and Corpus Christi. Magdalen bumped Christ Church at the Freewater Stone; St. John's bumped University at the Corporation Ferry; Magdalen II bumped Oriel within a few feet of the post; and Corpus Christi bumped Brasenose just before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 25 Feb

  Rain fell heavily during the greater part of the time that Torpids were racing yesterday. Eleven bumps were recorded during the afternoon, the St. John's II boat making two and their I boat one. The Third Division started first, the top boat, Worcester being early caught by St. John's II. Queen's rowed up; but Jesus again lost a place, St. Edmund's Hall catching them at the Red Post. Number four in the University II broke his oar, and Brasenose II consequently had no difficulty in bumping them. Wadham II finished their distance in front of Trinity II; but Keble II were overhauled by Christ Church III in the Gut.

  Of the Second Division Corpus easily maintained the position they secured the previous afternoon, and the next two boats Balliol II and Christ Church II, retained their places; but New bumped Pembroke, after a fine race, at the Cherwell. Keble paddled up, Hertford, a very light crew, making a poor fight against Lincoln. Exeter gave way to St. John's at the Green Bank.

  Balliol kept their place at the head of the First Division, although New got within a length of them. Christ Church were no match for the fast Magdalen crew, and were overtaken at the Freewater Stone. Trinity paddled up; University being bumped by St. John's at the Free Ferry; whilst, after a magnificent race, Magdalen II effected the downfall of Oriel right on the post, and Corpus defeated Brasenose. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Times Mon 26 Feb

  The Torpid races were continued at Oxford on Saturday.

  The Third Division crews were started in the following order :— Exeter, Worcester, Queen's, St. Edmund Hall, Jesus, Brasenose II, University II, Wadham, Trinity II, Keble II, and Christ Church III. Keble II bumped Trinity II at the New Cut.

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Brasenose, Balliol II, Christ Church II, New College II, Pembroke, Keble, Lincoln, Hertford, Merton, St. John's II, and Exeter. Christ Church II bumped Balliol II at the Red Post. Merton bumped Hertford at the Corporation Ferry.

  The First Division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, Trinity, St. John's, University, Magdalen II, Oriel, Corpus Christi, and Brasenose. Magdalen bumped New College under the Willows; St. John's bumped Trinity soon after passing the Long Bridges; Corpus Christi bumped Oriel at the Corporation Ferry.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 26 Feb

  Fine weather prevailed for the continuation of the Oxford Torpid races on Saturday. The three divisions yielded some fair rowing, though only half-a-dozen bumps were recorded. Exeter held their position at the head of Division III, in which the only bump was by Keble II at the expense of Trinity II.

  In the Second Division Brasenose just escaped Balliol, [II] who were caught by Christ Church [II] at the Red Post. The only other bump was when Merton caught Hertford at the Ferry.

  Balliol never were in danger from New College in the First Division, whereas the latter could not keep out of the way of Magdalen. Christ Church were nowhere near Magdalen, but were losing ground to Trinity when the latter fell to St. John's at the Willows. University were in no danger from Magdalen II, as at the Free Ferry No.6 of the latter boat broke his oar, and thus enabled them to get away, four lengths dividing the crews at the finish — a but of bad luck fo Magdalen. Oriel had their colours lowered by Corpus at the Ferry, and B.N.C. rowed over.

• The Times Tue 27 Feb

  The Torpid races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon. Balliol lost their position at the head of the river to Magdalen

  The Third Division crews were started in the following order :— Exeter, Worcester, Queen's, St. Edmund Hall, Jesus, Brasenose II, University II, Wadham, Keble II, Trinity II, and Christ Church III. No bumps were made.

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Brasenose, Christ Church II, Balliol II, New College II, Pembroke, Keble, Lincoln, Merton, Hertford, St. John's II, and Exeter. Christ Church II bumped Brasenose at the Green Bank; New College II bumped Balliol II under the Willows; Merton bumped Lincoln opposite the Exeter Barge; and St. John's II bumped Hertford near the Weir's Bridge.

  The First Division crews were started in the following order :— Balliol, Magdalen, New College, Christ Church, St. John's, Trinity, University, Magdalen II, Corpus Christi, Oriel, and Christ Church II. Balliol were soon bumped by Magdalen, and it was stated that No.7 in their boat had strained himself. St. John's bumped Christ Church at the Corporation Ferry; Corpus Christi bumped Magdalen II soon after the start; and Christ Church II bumped Oriel at the same place. The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 27 Feb

  The fourth day's racing amongst the torpids was spoilt by drenching rain and a strong south-westerly wind, which blew across from the Berkshire shore. No bumps were recorded in the third division. The closest race was between Jesus College and Brasenose II, the latter getting within a length. Brasenose I were deprived of the leadership of the second division by Christchurch II, whilst Balliol II fell to New College III. Merton ran into Lincoln opposite the Exeter barge, and St. John's II made short work of Hertford.

  Balliol lost the headship of the first division to Magdalen, after rowing only a few strokes. The Balliol number 7 was suffering from a bad strain. St. John's caught Christchurch at the Free Ferry, and Magdalen II fell to Corpus after a brief struggle. Christchurch II bumped Oriel at the Corporation Ferry. Racing will be continued this afternoon.

• The Times Wed 28 Feb

  The Torpid races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon. The weather was fine, but a high wind made the water rough.

  The Third Division crews were started in the following order :— Exeter, Worcester, Queen's, St. Edmund Hall, Jesus, Brasenose II, University II, Wadham, Keble II, Trinity II, and Christ Church III. The only bump in this division was made by Christ Church III, who bumped Trinity II at the Boathouse.

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Oriel, Brasenose, New College II, Balliol II, Pembroke, Keble, Merton, Lincoln, St. John's II, Hertford, and Exeter. Brasenose bumped Oriel near the start, the bow oar of the latter catching a crab. Pembroke bumped Balliol II at the Freewater Stone, Merton bumped Keble at the Cherwell, St. John's II bumped Lincoln along the Green Bank, and Exeter bumped Hertford just before reaching the Corporation Ferry.

  The First Division crews were started in the following order :— Magdalen, Balliol, New College, St. John's, Christ Church, Trinity, University, Corpus Christi, Magdalen II, Christ Church II, and Brasenose. St. John's bumped New College just before reaching the Long Bridges, Corpus Christi bumped University at the Corporation Ferry, and Christ Church II bumped Magdalen II at the Weir's Bridge.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 28 Feb

  High wind and rough water were associated with yesterday's rowing at Oxford, and there were one or two reversals of previous form, which may be partially attributed to the conditions.

  In the Third Division there was only one bump, Christ Church III reversing the position they lost earlier to Trinity II, although they did not catch them until near the end of the course.

  Oriel II [sic] lost the leadership of the Second Division as their bow caught a "crab" at the start, and they were bumped by Brasenose before they could get under weigh again. Balliol II fell to Pembroke at the Freewater Stone, and Keble were caught by Merton after a great race. St. John's II continued their victorious career at the expense of Lincoln, whilst Exeter defeated Hertford at the Corporation Ferry.

  In the First Division, Magdalen retained the headship after a good race with Balliol, but St. John's improved their position by overhauling New College on coming out of the Gut. University were bumped by Corpus near the Ferry, and Magdalen II were overtaken by Christ Church near the Weirs Bridge.

• The Times Thu 29 Feb

  The Torpid races were concluded at Oxford yesterday afternoon. Magdalen finished at the head of the river.

  The Third Division crews were started in the following order :— Hertford, Worcester, Queen's, St. Edmund Hall, Jesus, Brasenose II, University II, Wadham, Keble II, Christ Church III, and Trinity II. Worcester bumped Hertford just before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The Second Division crews were started in the following order :— Brasenose, Oriel, New College II, Pembroke, Balliol II, Merton, Keble, St. John's II, Lincoln, Exeter, and Worcester. New College II bumped Oriel at the Corporation Ferry; St. John's II bumped Keble soon after passing the Freewater Stone; and Exeter bumped Lincoln opposite the Magdalen Barge.

  The First Division crews were started in the following order :— Magdalen, Balliol, St. John's, New College, Christ Church, Trinity, Corpus Christi, University, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, and Brasenose. Magdalen easily retained their position at the head of the river. St. John's bumped Balliol at the Corporation Ferry; Corpus Christi bumped Trinity at the same place; Christ Church II bumped University at the Weirs Bridge; and Brasenose bumped Magdalen II soon after passing the Boathouse.

  There were 51 bumps in the six days' racing. St. John's, Corpus Christi, and Christ Church II. made six bumps each; St. John's II, five; Magdalen, four; New College II and Merton, three each. Oriel and Hertford each lost six places, and Balliol II four places.

  The names and weights of the Magdalen crew at the head of the river are [listed below].

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 29 Feb

  The torpids finished yesterday, when Magdalen rowed up head of the river; but it is possible, taking a line through New College, that St. John's are the faster crew. The latter went up on every possible occasion; whilst their second crew ascended five places. Corpus was a crew that claimed six victims; but Hertford went down each day.

  There was only one bump in the Third Division yesterday, Worcester catching Hertford. In the Second Division Brasenose easily kept premier position, but New [II] bumped Oriel, St. John's II early caught Keble, and Exeter defeated Lincoln after a great struggle.

  Magdalen paddled up head boat in Division I, for Balliol were bumped by St. John's, who thus registered their sixth success, near the Weirs Bridge. Trinity fell to Corpus, and Christ Church II made their sixth bump when they caught University II at the Ferry; whilst Brasenose overtook Magdalen II at the Wall.

• In other news ... [1912]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: H. H. Asquith (Liberal)

  24 Feb

  Battle of Beirut: Italy makes a surprise attack on the Ottoman port of Beirut, when the cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi and the gunboat Volturno bombard the harbour, killing 97 sailors and civilians.

  26 Feb

  National coal strike of 1912.

  29 Feb

  Serbia and Bulgaria secretly sign a treaty of alliance for a term of eight years, with each pledging to come to the defense of the other during war. The treaty of alliance would eventually be dishonored in World War I.

  1 March

  Suffragettes smash shop windows in the West End of London, especially around Oxford Street.

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