Torpids 1919

• Torpids suspended during WW1, resumed in 1920
• Results here are taken from The Times but also reproduced in the The Daily Telegraph. The similarity of the reports suggests these may actually have been written by the same person (the Telegraph describes these as "From Our Own Correspondent").

• The Times Thu 30 Jan 1919

  University Race Proposed

  Major E. D. Horsfall, R.A.F. (Magdalen College), president of the Oxford University Boat Club, took the chair at a representative meeting of Captains of College Clubs at Oxford yesterday.

  An important discussion took place as to the future prospects of rowing at Oxford. It was decided to approach the committee of the Cambridge University Boat Club with a view to arranging an inter-university race, or races, to take place at the end of the Summer Term. It was also decided that the Torpids should not be rowed this year, but that a race for fixed-seat eights should be arranged towards the end of term. It was further determined to make an appeal to old members of the Boat Club for financial assistance. There may be some sliding seat racing next term, but this is very uncertain.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 25 Feb 1919

  A captains' meeting was held at Oxford yesterday afternoon. Major E.D. Horsfall, R.A.F., president of the University Boat Club presiding. After some discussion it was resolved to have time races for eights and fours, to be rowed in divisions, and decided on the American tournament system, the course for eights to be from the Weirs' Bridge, and that for fours from the Long Bridges. The races will take place in the week from March 7 to 12. Sixteen crews have sent in names for the eights, and fourteen for the fours. No entrance fees will be charged for any of the races. A resolution of regret was passed at the death of Colonel W.A.L. Fletcher, D.S.O., Christ Church, a former president of the Boat Club.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 10 Mar 1919

  The Lent Term Oxford University Boat Club races, eights and fours, will commence to-day. For the former seventeen crews have entered, and thirteen for the latter. Appended is the draw [as below].

  In both eights and fours the final will be rowed next Thursday. In the event of two colleges in Division B of the fours winning two racces and losing one, the college which shall have won when the two crews concerned met shall be declared the winner of the division.

• The Times Tue 11 Mar 1919

  The Oxford University Boat Club began a series of eight-oar and four-oar time races yesterday afternoon as a substitute for the Torpids.

  The course for eights was from the Weir Bridge to Salter's Raft, and for the fours from Rough's Boathouse to Salter's Barge. The weather was fine, but there was a strong wind, and the stream, which was only just inside the river banks, was running at a great pace and told heavily against the lighter crews. Some of the finishes were very close. In one heat New College III. beat New College I., but the most remarkable result was the defeat of Christ Church by Balliol, after the latter had drawn into the bank shortly after the start. The competition is on the American tournament system, and, after three eliminating rounds, the winners in both the contests will race on Thursday.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 11 March

  Although it was not possible to arrange for the Torpid races this year, the Oxford University Boat Club arranged in their place a series of eight-oar and four-oar races, which began on the Isis yesterday afternoon. The course for the "eights" was from the Weir's Bridge to Salter's Post, and for "fours" from Rough's Boathouse to Salter's Barge. Fortunately the weather was delightfully fine, but a strong wind and fast stream operated adversely to the lighter crews. The competition is on the American tournament system, and with the conclusion of the three eliminating rounds both divisions will race on Thursday. Some of the finishes were very close. Balliol 1, after being drawn into the bank, succeeded in beating Christ Church 1, result which was somewhat surprising.

  Since the results list crews by 'station 1' or 'station 2' and verdicts are given as times (usually) rather than distances it is possible that these races started simultanenously, line astern (like Torpids perhaps) but with two finish posts, spaced the same distance apart as the starting positions. In some heats there were 3 boats.

  Division A Eights
  Heat 1	Wadham	bt	Pembroke	6 s	6:59
  Heat 2	Keble	bt	S.E.H.	9 s	8:3.4 [sic]
  Heat 3	Balliol	bt	Christ Church	7 s	6:32
  Heat 4	New III	bt	New I	1 yard	6:47
  Division B Eights
  Heat 1	Christ Church II	bt	Queen's	2 yds	6:41
  Heat 2	BNC & Trinity	bt	Balliol II	2 yds	7:03.5
  Heat 3	St John's	bt	New II	5 s	6:35
  Heat 4	Magdalen	bt	Univ & Exeter	4 s	6:26
  		3rd	Oriel
  Division A Fours
  Heat 1	St Catherine's	bt	Wadham	8 s	4:012
  Heat 2	Hertford	bt	Brasenose	7 s	4:15.4
  Heat 3	Univ & Exeter	bt	Corpus II	2 s	4:16
  Heat 4	Merton	bt	Worcester	6 s	4:06
  		3rd	Jesus
  Division B Fours
  Heat 1	Corpus	bt	Trinity	10 s	4:05
  Heat 2	Lincoln	bt	Oriel	Easily	3:53

• The Times Wed 12 Mar

  The eight-oar and four-oar time races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon in unpleasant weather. There was a good attendance, including Lieutenant-Colonel Harcourt Gold and Mr. Vivian Nickalls, and the racing again proved interesting.

  In Division "A" Balliol followed up their success of the afternoon before over Christ Church by defeating New College III., notwithstanding some faulty steering at the Gut, but New College I. made some amends by beating Christ Church rather easily. Magdalen again covered the course in the fastest time, gaining a decisive victory over St. John's. In the four-oar races there was a fine struggle between St. Catherine's and Hertford, in which the latter proved successful. The best display in the division was given by Lincoln, who beat Corpus Christi easily in 3 min 44 sec.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 12 Mar

  Magdalen's Promising Display

  Notwithstanding that the weather was unfavourable, a large number of persons were attracted to the riverside, and watched with much interest the continuation of the eight-oar and four-oar Lenten races at Oxford University, yesterday. The water was extremely high, and there was no diminution in the strength of the stream. Some capital races took place. Balliol I added to the success of the previous afternoon by defeating New College III, but New College I later in the day easily beat Christ Church. The fastest time was once more accomplished by Magdalen, who secured an easy victory over St. John's, although there was an exciting struggle for half the distance.

  In the fours there was a desperate race between St. Catherine's and Hertford. For a time it was difficult to say which had the advantage, but Hertford held on and just managed to secure the victory. Lincoln were responsible for a good performance in easily defeating Corpus Christi.

  Division A Eights
  Heat 1	Wadham	bt	Keble	9 s	6:41
  Heat 2	Balliol I	bt	New III	2 s	6:27
  Heat 3	Pembroke	bt	S.E.H.	14 s	6:47
  Heat 4	New I	bt	Christ Church	8 s	6:32
  		3rd	Oriel	a long way behind
  Division B Eights
  Heat 1	Christ Church II	bt	BNC & Trinity	easily	6:32
  Heat 2	Magdalen	bt	St John's	5 s	6:11
  Heat 3	Balliol II	bt	Queen's	15 s	6:30
  Heat 4	Univ & Exeter	bt	New II	3 s	ntt
  Division A Fours
  Heat 1	Hertford	bt	St Catherine's	2 s	4:03
  Heat 2	Merton	bt	Univ & Exeter	12 s	3:58
  Heat 3	Worcester	bt	Wadham	8 s	4:00.4
  		3rd	Brasenose	a few feet
  Heat 4	Corpus II	bt	Jesus	3 s	4:15
  Division B Fours
  Heat 1	Lincoln I	bt	Corpus I	16 s	3:44
  Heat 2	Trinity	bt	Oriel	5 s	4:06

• The Times Thu 13 Mar

  The eight-oar and four-oar time races were continued at Oxford yesterday in unfavourable conditions. In addition to heavy rain there was a strong northerly wind, and, unfortunately for the crews, both wind and stream were against them.

  In the eights Magdalen I. and Balliol I. continued their victorious career, and so qualified for the final heat, which will be rowed this afternoon. The fastest time was accomplished by Balliol. There was a fine race between Queen's and the combined University and Exeter crew. The latter were well ahead at the Long Bridges, but later Queen's drew to the front under the wall. Exeter recovered their lost ground, and a magnificent struggle ended in a dead-heat. New College II. were very unfortunate in their race with Oriel and St. Edmund Hall, as they had the race apparently won when a crab occurred and they were beaten by a very narrow margin. In the Fours Lincoln again showed themselves to be a very smart crew by an easy victory over Trinity, and they will now oppose Merton in the final heat.

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 13 Mar

  Unfavourable weather was again associated with the Lenten races at Oxford yesterday afternoon. The crews had to face not only heavy rain, but a strong northerly wind, and in consequence the times were not so good as previously. In the "eights" Magdalen I and Balliol I were again successful, and will meet in the final this afternoon. The fastest time accomplished was by Balliol. An exceptionally fine race between Queen's II and the combined University College and Exeter crew resulted in a dead heat. New College II proved unfortunate in their race with Oriel and St. Edmund Hall, for after having the race apparently at their mercy their chances were destroyed by a "crab". In the "fours" Lincoln were again credited with a smart performance in beating Trinity, and will oppose Merton in the final. Details: [as below]

  Division A Eights
  Heat 1	Balliol	bt	Wadham	19 s	7:05
  Heat 2	New III	bt	Keble	30 s	7:24
  Heat 3	Oriel	bt	New II	2 s	7:40
  		3rd	S.E.H.
  Heat 4	New I	bt	Pembroke	20 s	7:19
  Division B Eights
  Heat 1	Magdalen I	bt	Christ Church II	15 s	7:25
  Heat 2	St John's	bt	BNC & Trinity	45 s	7:14
  Heat 3	Univ & Exeter	=	Queen's	dead heat	7:28
  Heat 4	Christ Church I	bt	Balliol II	easily	7:40
  Division A Fours
  Heat 1	Merton	bt	Hertford	7 s	4:23
  Heat 2	Univ & Exeter	bt	St Catherine's	11 s	4:27	But see Friday correction
  		3rd	Wadham
  Heat 3	Corpus II	bt	Worcester	0.5 s	4:38
  Heat 4	Jesus	bt	Brasenose	16 s	4:51.5
  Division B Fours
  Heat 1	Corpus	bt	Oriel	16 s	4:36
  Heat 2	Lincoln	bt	Trinity	10 s	4:20

• The Times Fri 14 Mar

  The final heats in the Lent races at Oxford were rowed yesterday afternoon in delightful weather.

  The stream was a trifle higher than on the previous afternoon, but there was an entire absence of wind. The final heat of the eights was between Magdalen I. and Balliol I., Magdalen having the first station. Balliol, rowing the faster stroke, went away at the start and were half a length to the good at the Gut, but at the Boathouse the crews were on even terms. Near the Cherwell Balliol rowed a bit short, but Magdalen maintained a long swinging stroke, and eventually won a fine race by 3.6 seconds. Time, 6min 14sec.

  The final heat in the fours was between Merton and Lincoln, the latter having the second station. Although Merton held their own fairly well over the first half of the course, Lincoln gained rapidly under the Wall and eventually won by 11 seconds. Time, 4 min.

  Queen's and the combined Exeter and University crew rowed off the dead heat of the previous evening. After leading by a length and a half at the Green Bank, University and Exeter won by 6 seconds. Time 6min. 34sec.

  In the tenth heat of the fours the boats changed stations and the result should have been St. Catharine's, 1; University and Exeter, 2; Wadham, 3.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 14 Mar

  The Lenten races were brought to a close last night in pleasant weather. The stream was still high. The final of the eight oars was between Magdalen and Balliol. The former had the first station. Balliol, rowing the faster stroke, soon had an advantage, but after passing the Long Bridges, Magdalen gradually drew up, and at the Boathouse the crews were on level terms. Nearing the Cherwell, Balliol rowed a bit short, but Magdalen maintained a long swinging stroke, and eventually won a fine races by 3 3.5 sec [sic]. Time 6min 14sec.

  The final in the fours was between Merton and Lincoln, the latter having the second station. Although Merton held their own fairly well over the first half of the course, Lincoln gained rapidly under the Wall, and eventually won by 11sec in four minutes.

  Queen's and the combined Exeter and University College crew rowed off the dead heat of the previous evening. After leading by a length and a half at the Green Bank, University and Exeter won by 6sec. Time 6min 34sec. The crew of the winning Magdalen "eight" was as follows: [as below, the Lincoln four are also listed].

• In other news ... [1919]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: David Lloyd George (Liberal)

  March 11–June 8

  Russian Civil War: The Cossacks of the Upper Don rebel against Bolshevik rule in the Vyoshenskaya Uprising and join the White forces.

  March 15–17

  Members of the American Expeditionary Forces convene in Paris for the first American Legion caucus.

  March 17

  Birth of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Lincoln
B:	R. C. G. Dartford	9st 10lb
2:	C. M. Isaacs	12st 10lb
3:	D. G. Coates	13st 3lb
4:	B. E. Heawood	11st 7lb
C:	F. J. Hamblin	8st 4lb

Return to Bumps Index