Torpids 1937

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 51 49 New College 2 Magdalen 50 48 Magdalen 3 New College 46 39 St Edmund Hall 4 University 34 36 St John's 5 St Edmund Hall 33 35 Balliol 6 Keble 31 34 University 7 Merton 26 30 Exeter 8 Oriel 26 25 Oriel 9 Corpus Christi 25 23 Pembroke 10 St John's 22 23 Christ Church 11 Exeter 21 19 Corpus Christi 12 Christ Church 18 18 Keble 13 Brasenose 16 15 Merton 14 Trinity 16 15 Brasenose 15 Lincoln 13 15 Trinity 16 Pembroke 12 13 Queen's 17 Worcester 10 11 Jesus 18 Jesus 9 10 Worcester 19 Queen's 8 9 Lincoln 20 St Peter's 7 8 Hertford 21 Wadham 6 5 St Peter's 22 St Catherine's 5 5 Wadham 23 Hertford 5 4 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Pembroke 2[ 4] 14[ 1] 7.00[ 1] St John's 2[ 4] 14[ 1] 7.00[ 1] Queen's 2[ 4] 10[ 3] 5.00[ 3] Exeter 3[ 1] 9[ 4] 3.00[ 6] Christ Church 2[ 4] 8[ 5] 4.00[ 4] Hertford 2[ 4] 7[ 6] 3.50[ 5] St Edmund Hall 2[ 4] 5[ 7] 2.50[ 7] Jesus 1[18] 2[ 8] 2.00[ 8] University 2[ 4] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] New College 3[ 1] -1[10] -0.33[10] Trinity 1[18] -1[10] -1.00[11] Worcester 2[ 4] -2[12] -1.00[11] Magdalen 2[ 4] -3[13] -1.50[13] Brasenose 2[ 4] -3[13] -1.50[13] Corpus Christi 1[18] -3[13] -3.00[15] Wadham 1[18] -3[13] -3.00[15] St Catherine's 1[18] -3[13] -3.00[15] Lincoln 1[18] -4[18] -4.00[21] St Peter's 2[ 4] -6[19] -3.00[15] Oriel 2[ 4] -6[19] -3.00[15] Keble 2[ 4] -10[21] -5.00[22] Balliol 3[ 1] -11[22] -3.67[20] Merton 2[ 4] -13[23] -6.50[23]

• 6 days: Thu 18 – Wed 24 Feb, 1937
• The Times Thu 18 Feb gives division times as 1, 2, 3 and 4pm.
• The Times Fri 19 Feb has a photo captioned

  The Torpids — A general view of the Second Division crews in the Torpid Races which were begun at Oxford yesterday. The picture was taken from the new bridge

  The picture shows the top 5 crews in Div II on the Thursday, with Jesus in the foreground.

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 18 Feb

  The Oxford University Torpid races begun [sic] to-day, when 43 crews in the four divisions will compete.

  Trinity, Wadham, and Jesus have withdrawn their second crews, and Exeter and Balliol their third crews. Newcomers are second crews of Pembroke and Hertford and third crews [sic] of Exeter.

  Magdalen are expected to retain their position at the head. Order of starting [...]

• The Times Fri 19 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Magdalen retain their position

  The first day's racing in the Torpids was spoiled by the weather. However, the latter part of the afternoon, although very dismal, was fine.

  Entries were one fewer than last year, when 44 crews competed, and in the Fourth Division there were only four crews. In the Third Division St. John's II gained an overbump against Merton II after Christ Church II had caught Keble II coming through the Gut. Merton thus lose 3 places. Magdalen, when they rowed up head of the river without having to extend themselves, showed excellent form.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Exeter III, Balliol III, Pembroke II, Hertford II. There was an exciting race all up Iffley Reach between the leading three crews. Exeter III were soon losing ground to Balliol III, who in turn were being hard pressed by Pembroke II. Coming out of the Gut Balliol III bumped Exeter III, but at the same moment Balliol were caught by Pembroke II, and the question of whether there is to be a re-row will be decided by the O.U.B.C. Committee.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford, Brasenose II, Merton II, Keble II, Christ Church II, St. John's II, St. Edmund Hall II, Exeter II, New College III, St. Peter's Hall II, Queen's II, Worcester II, University College II, Exeter III. Hertford retained their position without any difficulty, finishing four lengths ahead of Brasenose II. The latter had been hard pressed by Merton II but were half a length in front when Merton fell victims to St. John's II at the Boathouse. In the meantime Christ Church II had bumped Keble II in the Gut, leaving a clear course for St. John's to make their overbump. St. Edmund Hall II held their own against Exeter II until coming out of the Gut, after which the latter steadily gained and made their bump at Talboy's Barge. St. Peter's Hall gained a little on New College III and the other crews followed well apart.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Lincoln, Brasenose, Pembroke, Balliol II, Jesus, Worcester, New College II, Magdalen II, Queen's, Wadham, St. Catherine's, St. Peter's Hall, Oriel II, Hertford. Lincoln were never extended and were their distance in front of Brasenose when the latter were overtaken by Pembroke at the Long Bridges. Jesus were soon gaining on Balliol II, but although the latter held their own for a time they fell away again and Jesus made their bump along the Willows. There was an exciting race between Worcester and New College II, and Worcester having to go rather wide after the Jesus bump, New College got to within two feet at the Boathouse. Worcester, however, got away again along the Wall and eventually finished with half a length in hand. Magdalen II held Queen's all up Iffley Reach, but coming through the Gut Queen's made a determined effort and made their bump at the bottom of Green Bank. Wadham held their own against St. Catherine's without any difficulty, and St. Catherine's in turn were never in any immediate danger, but Oriel II were caught by Hertford near the New Bridge.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Balliol, New College, University College, St. Edmund Hall, Keble, Corpus, Merton, Oriel, St. John's, Exeter, Trinity, Christ Church, Lincoln. Magdalen retained their headship without difficulty and were well away from Balliol when the latter, after struggling through the Gut, fell victims to New College. There was a good race between University College and St. Edmund Hall. The latter were well up when entering the Gut but University College spurted hard and reached the Red Post before being caught. Keble also put up a good fight against Corpus, and although Corpus were within a quarter of a length coming out of the Gut they failed to make their bump until reaching the Worcester Barge. Oriel soon showed their superiority over Merton and after getting well up at the Ferry caught them coming through the Gut. Exeter were faster than St. John's, but the latter finished strongly and had a length or more to spare when the boats passed the post. Christ Church bumped Trinity at the Long Bridges.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 19 Feb

  The Oxford Torpids races were begun yesterday in unpleasant conditions. Eleven bumps and one over-bump were made. There was a disputed bump in the fourth division and the third crews of Exeter and Balliol and the second crew of Pembroke will re-row to-day.

  Magdalen easily kept their place at the head of the river. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Sat 20 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Magdalen keep the Headship

  Save that the morning's rain held off later on, there was little improvement in the conditions for the Torpid Races at Oxford yesterday, and the crews had a trying time against the excessive stream and south-westerly gale. Nevertheless there was a large attendance, but those on the barges saw little of interest as nearly all the bumps took place below the Boathouse.

  Fourteen bumps were made, and for the second time an overbump took place. Oriel II, having escaped Brasenose II, who were bumped by St. John's II, were overtaken by Christ Church II, a clever performance by the latter, as they made the bump at the Cherwell. The disputed bump in the Fourth Division was settled by the Boat Club ordering a re-row in which Pembroke II in the morning bumped Balliol III in Iffley Reach. It was, indeed, a red-letter day for Pembroke, whose enterprise in entering a second crew was fully justified in the Fourth Division in the afternoon. They bumped Exeter III and followed up with a victory in the Third Division at the expense of University College. Their three bumps in one day may well be a record. Pembroke I also distinguished themselves by making two bumps and are now in the First Division. Magdalen, at the Head of the River, again had an easy time.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Exeter III, Pembroke II, Balliol III, Hertford II. Pembroke II drew quickly on to Exeter III and bumped them just before coming into the Gut.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— Oriel II, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Christ Church II, Keble II, Merton II, Exeter II, St. Edmund Hall II, New College III, St. Peter's Hall II, Queen's II, Worcester II, University College II, Pembroke II. Oriel II kept well away from Brasenose II, who were hard pressed by St. John's II in Iffley Reach, and finally succumbed to them coming through the Gut. Christ Church II, who had been drawing on to St. John's II, then went in hot pursuit of Oriel II, who became very ragged, and Christ Church II, putting in a splendid effort along the Wall, made their bump just opposite the Cherwell. Keble II rowed up at their leisure, as Merton II, losing ground rapidly to Exeter II from the start, were overtaken between the New Bridge and the Free Ferry. St. Edmund Hall II gained considerably on Keble II, but the latter finished well away, and New College III followed some distance behind St. Edmund Hall. Queen's II, going off fast, soon had the measure of St. Peter's Hall II and caught them at the Weir's Bridge. Worcester II paddled through as University II fell victims to Pembroke II before reaching the Gut.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Lincoln, Pembroke, Brasenose, Jesus, Balliol II, Worcester, New College II, Queen's, Magdalen II, Wadham, St. Catherine's, St. Peter's Hall, Hertford, Christ Church II. Pembroke, making a good start, soon began to gain on Lincoln, and getting well up at the Ferry made their bump on entering the Gut. Brasenose held their own against Jesus without great difficulty and finished a length and a half in front. Balliol II, after passing the Launch Works, lost ground rapidly to Worcester and the latter ran them down coming through the Gut. Queen's continued their upward career and overtook New College II just after coming out of the Gut. Magdalen II came up well away from Wadham, who in turn finished three lengths in front of St. Catherine's. The latter, however, had had a gruelling race with St. Peter's Hall lower down and it was a question whether the latter would bump or be bumped by Hertford, who had gone off very fast. They gained rapidly on St. Peter's Hall, who just failed to overhaul St. Catherine's before Hertford bumped them near the New Bridge.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, Balliol, St. Edmund Hall, University College, Corpus, Keble, Oriel, Merton, St. John's, Exeter, Christ Church, Trinity, Pembroke. Magdalen had another easy journey in the race for the Headship, New College failing at any time to make much impression, and they passed the post with two lengths in hand. St. Edmund Hall were soon gaining on Balliol and overhauled them at the top of the Gut. There was a fine race between Corpus and University College. Corpus at one time were in close proximity, but continuing up the Wall University got away again and led home by a quarter of a length. Keble held their own against Oriel at first, but coming through the Gut the latter made ground rapidly and Keble finally gave way along Green Bank. St. John's overtook Merton in Iffley Reach and Christ Church looked like overhauling Exeter, as they were well up at the Boathouse. Exeter, however, finished strongly and escaped disaster by a quarter of a length.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 20 Feb

  A heavy stream and strong cross wind made conditions trying for the crews in the Oxford Torpid races, which were continued yesterday. Exeter III, Pembroke II, and Balliol III in the fourth division re-rowed their Thursday race in the morning, Pembroke bumping Balliol. Apart from this there were 14 bumps and one over-bump.

  New College gave Magdalen a hard race in the first division and finished only a quarter of a length behind. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Mon 22 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Magdalen still lead

  A north-westerly gale raged at Oxford on Saturday and over the main part of the course it blew down stream. Sixteen bumps were made in the four divisions, but all below Saunders Bridge, and there was not a single exciting finish.

  Magdalen retained their position at the head of the river unchallenged as they held New College easily all the way up. New College in turn finishing fully their distance in front of St. Edmund Hall. Pembroke worked their way well into the First Division by bumping Christ Church, and their second crew also continued their upward career.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— University College II, Exeter III, Balliol III, Hertford II. University College II were soon losing ground to Exeter III and were overtaken coming through the Gut, and Balliol III, after a hard struggle, fell to Hertford II opposite the Worcester Barge.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— Christ Church II, St. John's II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Keble II, Exeter II, Merton II, St. Edmund Hall II, New College III, Queen's II, St. Peter's Hall II, Worcester II, Pembroke II, Exeter III. St. John's II, following up their previous successes, after getting well up on Christ Church II at the end of Iffley Reach eventually caught them just after leaving the Gut. Oriel II gained on Brasenose II in Iffley Reach, but the latter came out of the Gut more than a length to the good, and from this point they held their own. Exeter II gained on Keble II in Iffley Reach and with a determined spurt coming through the Gut made their bump at the bottom of the Green Bank. There was a sharp struggle between Merton II and St. Edmund Hall II, which ended in favour of the latter near the Free Ferry, and close by Queen's II caught New College III St. Peter's Hall paddled over, Worcester II, who got badly away, being overtaken by Pembroke II just above Haystack Corner.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Trinity, Lincoln, Brasenose, Jesus, Worcester, Balliol II, Queen's, New College II, Magdalen II, Wadham, St. Catherine's, Hertford, St. Peter's Hall, St. John's II. Trinity rowed through. Lincoln, who followed, were hotly pressed by Brasenose coming out of the Gut, and the latter, spurting hard along the Willows, made their bump at the Crossing. A good race followed between Jesus and Worcester, the latter being well up at Saunders's Bridge. Jesus, however, recovered and passed the post half a length to the good. Queen's, gaining on Balliol II rapidly from the start, bumped them between the Free Ferry and the New Bridge. New College II kept well away from Magdalen II and led in by quite four lengths, while Magdalen II in turn finished a length and a half in front of Wadham. Hertford once more improved their position, catching St. Catherine's near the Free Ferry, and St. John's, coming up out of the Third Division, caught St. Peter's Hall at the New Bridge.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, St. Edmund Hall, Balliol, University College, Corpus, Oriel, Keble, St. John's, Merton, Exeter, Christ Church, Pembroke, Trinity. Magdalen retained their position without being pushed and passed the post a length and a half in front of New College. St. Edmund Hall made some little impression on New College before reaching the Gut, but subsequently New College drew well away and finished more than their distance ahead. Balliol held University College for a time, but the latter came with a rush after getting through the Gut and made their bump at the Willows. Corpus and Oriel had a good race over the first half of the course, but after leaving the Gut Oriel made a prolonged spurt and overhauled Corpus at the Boathouse. Keble held their own against St. John's until reaching the Green Bank, where they had to give way, and at almost the same spot Pembroke caught Christ Church.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 22 Feb

  The Oxford Torpid races were continued yesterday. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Tue 23 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Magdalen's narrow escape

  Rain fell in torrents at Oxford during Sunday night, but it gave way to a bitterly cold north wind which blew with almost gale force during the racing yesterday, so that the crews had both wind and stream against them. Thirteen bumps were recorded in the four divisions and Magdalen retained the Headship, which they had held without difficulty on the previous afternoons, but their stroke was indisposed and New College got to within three-quarters of a length. It was touch and go whether Magdalen would escape disaster when their cox brought them too close to the Wall. New College kept well ahead of St. Edmund Hall and there was a wide gap between the latter and University College.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Exeter III, University College II, Hertford II, Balliol III. Exeter III, who had secured the headship from University College II on Saturday, hardly maintaining their form, as University College II got to within half a length, although Exeter III subsequently drew away again. In the meantime, Hertford II, pressed by Balliol III, gained steadily, but fouled the raft at the University Boathouse and Balliol bumped them.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— St. Peter's Hall, Christ Church II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Exeter II, Keble II, St. Edmund Hall II, Merton II, Queen's II, New College III, St. Peter's Hall II, Pembroke II, Worcester II, Exeter III. Christ Church II began to gain on St. Peter's Hall at the start, and although the latter held them up Iffley Reach Christ Church II spurted going through the Gut and made their bump at the Long Bridges. Brasenose II paddled over because, after a brief struggle in Iffley Reach, Oriel II, who followed them, succumbed to Exeter II near the Free Ferry. Keble II were outpaced by St. Edmund Hall II from the start and were caught just before reaching the Free Ferry. Queen's II went up again with a bump over Merton II at the New Bridge, leaving New College III to row over. St. Peter's Hall II again went down, being overtaken by Pembroke II at the Free Ferry. Exeter III at one point looked like catching Worcester II, but fell away again along the Green Bank, and Worcester II finished a long way ahead.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Trinity, Brasenose, Lincoln, Jesus, Worcester, Queen's, Balliol II, New College II, Magdalen II, Wadham, Hertford, St. Catherine's, St. John's II, Christ Church II. Trinity retained their position without difficulty, and finished three lengths ahead of Brasenose. Jesus gained slowly on Lincoln up Iffley Reach, the latter being about half a length ahead getting out of the Gut. From this point, however, Jesus came up fast and made their bump opposite the University Boathouse. Worcester and Queen's had a most exciting race, the latter being well up coming out of the Gut, and at the Boathouse less than a quarter of a length separated the two boats. Queen's spurted along the Wall but failed to sustain the effort, and Worcester, finishing strongly after passing the Cherwell, drew away again and finished three-quarters of a length in front. New College II were well up with Balliol II coming out of the Gut, and with a determined effort along the Green Bank made their bump at the Boathouse. Magdalen II rowed through, but Wadham, after holding Hertford up Iffley Reach, were caught at Red Post.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, St. Edmund Hall, University College, Balliol, Oriel, Corpus, St. John's, Keble, Exeter, Merton, Pembroke, Christ Church, Trinity. Magdalen, who had done little more than paddle in their previous races, were not going well from the start against New College and, coming out of the Gut, New College had gained more than a length. New College went wide coming up the Wall, where they had got nearer still to the leaders. Magdalen, however, continued to hold them, keeping well under the Berkshire [towpath] shore, although their cox rather overdid it and stroke's blade struck the bank opposite the old University barge. Nevertheless they retained the Headship and passed the post a long half-length in front.

  New College, in the meanwhile, had drawn right away from St. Edmund Hall and finished four lengths in front, a similar distance separating St. Edmund Hall from University College. University College held their own against Balliol without much difficulty, but the latter had all their work cut out to escape Oriel, who got dangerously close at one time and finished only a third of a length behind. Corpus and St. John's had a good race for a time, but after leavhing the Gut Corpus became rather ragged and were finally overtaken at the Crossing. Exeter gained another success when they bumped Keble at the Free Ferry. Pembroke continued their winning sequence when they bumped Merton near the New Bridge. Trinity failed to make much impression on Christ Church, who finished two lengths ahead.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 23 Feb

  In addition to a fast stream, the Oxford Torpid crews had to contend with a strong head wind. There was an exciting race for the head of the river. Magdalen keeping their position from New College by a bare quarter of a length. There were 13 bumps, which are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Wed 24 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Another close race for Magdalen

  A bright sunny afternoon brought a largely increased attendance to the riverside yesterday for the Torpids at Oxford, and although there was a much stronger stream running the crews had only a light north-easterly wind with which to contend.

  There was a thrilling race for the Headship between Magdalen and New College, the result being in doubt right up to the finish. Magdalen were handicapped by the indisposition of their stroke, G. L. Page but he stuck to his task in most gallant fashion and succeeded in bringing his crew home by a bare quarter of a length. New College were well up half-way and they continued to reduce the deficit until after passing the Boathouse, from which point Magdalen staved off their repeated challenges, the New College cox giving them some water opposite the Cherwell through going wide.

  Thirteen bumps were recorded in the four divisions, Pembroke, Hertford, St. John's II, Exeter II, and Pembroke II all increasing their winning sequences. The last named were a little fortunate, as at one time it looked as though New College III would escape them by bumping Merton II first, but they just succeeded in making their bump. St. John's II by catching Wadham scored their ninth victory and may create a record if they bump Magdalen II this afternoon. St. Catharine's broke their rudder at the start and so lost a place to Christ Church II.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Exeter III, University College II, Balliol III, Hertford II. University College II gained on Exeter III up to the Boathouse, after which Exeter held them and led in by three-quarters of a length. Balliol III kept well away from Hertford II until coming through the Gut, where one of their men caught a crab, and they failed to get clear.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— Christ Church II, St. Peter's Hall, Brasenose II, Exeter II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall II, Keble II, Queen's II, Merton II, New College III, Pembroke II, St. Peter's Hall II, Worcester II, Exeter III. Christ Church II were never extended by St. Peter's Hall, and improving their advantage all the way up the Wall finished three lengths in front. Brasenose II held Exeter II in Iffley Reach, but the latter were within half a length coming out of the Gut and made their bump opposite the Red Post. Oriel II were soon in trouble, St. Edmund Hall II gaining fast from the start and bumping them at the Free Ferry. Keble II held their own pretty well against Queen's II until coming through the Gut, when Queen's came up rapidly and bumped them under the Willows. There was a most exciting race in Iffley Reach between Merton II, New College III, and Pembroke II. They were close together passing the Ferry, and it was a question of whether New College III would bump Merton II or be bumped by Pembroke II. The latter, howver, put in a hard spurt in the Gut, and New College, failing to respond, had to strike their colours when only a yard or two behind Merton. St. Peter's Hall II and Worcester II came up a wide distance apart.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Trinity, Brasenose, Jesus, Lincoln, Worcester, Queen's, New College II, Balliol II, Magdalen II, Hertford, Wadham, St. John's II, St. Catherine's, Christ Church II. Trinity retained the headship without much effort, finishing 2½ lengths in front of Brasenose. Jesus drew on to the latter up Iffley Reach, but Brasenose drew away again after coming out of the Gut and two lengths separated them at the winning post. Lincoln were outpaced by Jesus, who finished more than their starting distance in front. Queen's improved on their previous afternoon's display when Worcester escaped them. They made no mistake on this occasion, as, going off very strongly at the start, they were well up at the Ferry and made their bump coming through the Gut. New College II never experienced any danger from Balliol II, and held them all the way up to the finish with three lengths in hand. Magdalen II had a sharp struggle with Hertford, which ended in favour of the latter just after passing the Free Ferry, and nearby Wadham were bumped by St. John's II, while St. Catherine's were bumped by Christ Church II soon after the start, the former crew having the misfortune to break their rudder.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, St. Edmund Hall, University College, Balliol, Oriel, St. John's, Corpus, Exeter, Keble, Pembroke, Merton, Christ Church, Trinity. A splendid race was seen for the Headship between Magdalen and New College. Magdalen lost ground in Iffley Reach, and coming out of the Gut were little more than half a length to the good. New College gained further distance up the Green Bank and there was little between them at the Boathouse. Magdalen then rallied and rubbed off some of the deficit. New College went a bit wide at the Cherwell Corner. Magdalen kept well under the Wall and put in a determined effort and reached home a quarter of a length to the good. These two boats had left St. Edmund Hall nearly six lengths in the rear, while three lengths separated St. Edmund Hall from University College, who were a similar distance ahead of Balliol. St. John's again improved their position, Oriel being bumped by them near the Free Ferry. Corpus made a big effort to escape Exeter, and held them until passing Saunder's Bridge and hauled down their flag opposite Talboy's Barge. Keble failed to make headway against Pembroke, and, after losing ground all up to Iffley Reach had to give way coming through the Gut, while Christ Church bumped Merton at the Free Ferry.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 24 Feb

  The Oxford University Torpids were continued yesterday, when 13 bumps were made, and the two Pembroke crews brought their total to 12, each having made six.

  There was another exciting race for the head of the river, New College getting to within less than a quarter of a length of Magdalen. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Thu 25 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  The Torpid Races Concluded

  The weather was at its worst for the final day of the Torpids at Oxford. There was cold south-easterly wind, fortunately blowing up-stream, and rain fell continuously throughout the afternoon. As no fewer than 15 bumps were recorded, it would seem that the crews had hardly found their level. This gave an aggregate of 88 bumps for the six days' racing.

  Magdalen remained head of the river, although they had some anxious moments on Monday and Tuesday because of the indisposition of their stroke. The most exciting race yesterday yesterday was that between Balliol and St. John's, the latter making their bump after a gruelling struggle very appropriately opposite their own College Barge. St. John's had a splendid record, for their first crew made five bumps and their second crew nine.

  Each of the two Pembroke boats gained seven places, a remarkable achievement for such a small college. Christ Church II also did remarkably well with seven bumps and Hertford and Exeter II each made six.

  The following are the names and schools of the Magdalen crew: [as below]

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Exeter III, University College II, Balliol III, Hertford II. The headship of the division again underwent a change, Exeter III, who had regained it on Saturday, being bumped by University College II after a hard struggle opposite the University Boathouse. Hertford II were two lengths behind University College II at the time.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— Christ Church II, St. Peter's Hall, Brasenose II, Exeter II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall II, Keble II, Queen's II, Merton II, New College III, Pembroke II, St. Peter's Hall II, Worcester II, Exeter III. St. Catherine's were well away from St. Peter's Hall coming through the Gut, where Exeter II gained rapidly on the latter and after a keen struggle made their bump at the Pembroke Barge. St. Edmund Hall II at once began to draw up on Brasenose II and caught them before getting through the Gut, and almost at the same spot Queen's II overtook Oriel II. St. Peter's Hall II failed to make much impression on New College III over the first half of the course but were only three-quarters of a length behind at the finish. Worcester II, because of a mishap at the start, took no part in the race and University College II, who had also come into collision, rowed up in a waterlogged condition.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Trinity, Brasenose, Jesus, Lincoln, Worcester, Queen's, New College II, Balliol II, Magdalen II, Hertford, Wadham, St. John's II, St. Catherine's, Christ Church II. Trinity finished a length and a half in front of Brasenose, who passed the Post a long length ahead of Jesus. Queen's began to draw up on Lincoln directly after the start, and spurting hard at the Ferry made their bump coming through the Gut. Worcester rowed through, holding New College II all the way and finishing with two lengths in hand. Hertford had to row harder than on any previous occasion, for although they gained a lot in Iffley Reach Balliol II struggled on and reached the Willows before being caught. St. John's II continued their winning sequence, a determined effort after passing the Launch Works gaining them a bump over Magdalen II. The most exciting race was between Wadham and Christ Church II. The latter were well up coming through the Gut but Wadham made a good effort along the Green Bank which, however, they were unable to sustain, and Christ Church II, coming up again, made their bump opposite the Pembroke Barge.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, St. Edmund Hall, University College, Balliol, Oriel, St. John's, Corpus, Exeter, Keble, Pembroke, Merton, Christ Church, Trinity. New College gained steadily on Magdalen in Iffley Reach, and coming up the Green Bank New College gained a trifle more between Saunders Bridge and the Cherwell, from which point, however, Magdalen held them to the finish and led home by a length. St. Edmund Hall followed some distance behind, but three lengths in front of University College. A thrilling race followed between Balliol and St. John's. The latter were soon gaining and overlapped at the Boathouse, but their shot missed its mark. Balliol had another brief respite, but St. John's came on again and after an exciting finish made their bump midway between the St. John's and Balliol Barges and 50 yards from the winning post. Exeter again improved their position, Oriel being caught under the Willows. Pembroke bumped Corpus at the Long Bridges, Christ Church overtook Keble just before reaching the Gut and Trinity came out of the second into the first division by bumping Merton along the Green Bank.

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 25 Feb

  Oxford Torpids Conclude
  Magdalen Retain Headship: St. John's Rise 9 Places

  The torpid races concluded at Oxford yesterday in wretched conditions, rain falling the whole time, accompanied by a cold wind. There were 15 bumps during the day, making a total of 83.

  St. John's II, thanks to an overbump, rose nine places and the two Pembroke crews each made seven bumps, easily a record for the college. Keble and Merton, on the other hand, lost a place each night. The winning Magdalen crew are [some differences compared to The Times list at the foot of the page]

  B:	A. S. A. Macdonald (Eton)
  2:	M. Wagner (Univ. of Michigan)
  3:	J. C. Long (Radley)
  4:	F. A. Willan (Eton)
  5:	G. Milroy (Magdalen Coll. Sch.)
  6:	A. R. Smith (Shrewsbury)
  7:	H. Betteridge-Woodhouse (Sheffield) [probably Woodhouse is the school]
  S:	T. L. Page (Yale)
  C:	P. H. Philip (Diocesan Coll. Rondebosch)

  Yesterday's bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables:[...]

• The Times, Letters, 27 Feb

  Oxford and the Torpids

  Sir, — In spite of recent defeats by Cambridge it is surely a great encouragement to all lovers of Oxford rowing to observe the great increase in the number of boats competing in the Torpids this year.

  Sixty years ago, when I rowed in the Torpids, there were very few colleges who put on second boat, and none at all a third, whereas this year there were as many as 20 second boats and four thirds.

  Evidently there is no want of interest in rowing at Oxford

  Your faithfuly [sic],
  Walter J. Tanner
  Hove, Feb 25.

• In other news ... [1937]

  Monarch: George VI

  Prime Minister: Stanley Baldwin (Conservative)

  Fri 19 Feb

  Airliner VH-UHH (Stinson) goes down over Lamington National Park, bound for Sydney, killing 5 people.

  Yekatit 12: During a public ceremony at the Viceregal Palace (the former Imperial residence) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, two Eritrean nationalists attempt to kill viceroy Rodolfo Graziani with a number of grenades. Italian security guards fire into the crowd of Ethiopian onlookers. Authorities exact further reprisals, which include indiscriminately slaughtering native Ethiopians over the next 3 days, detaining thousands of Ethiopians at Danan and slaughtering almost 300 monks at the Debre Libanos Monastery.

  The flag of the Netherlands is officially adopted.

  Sat 20 Feb

  Roberto Ortiz is elected president of Argentina.

  Sun 21 Feb

  The League of Nations Non-Intervention Committee prohibits foreign nationals from fighting in the Spanish Civil War.

  Mon 22 Feb

  Italian Premier Benito Mussolini decreed that any native chieftain or officer who opposed Italian colonial troops, even in territory as yet unoccupied, would be put to death.

  Tue 23 Feb

  Britain's battleship HMS Royal Oak came under attack for a second time during the Spanish Civil War and was accidentally struck by an anti-aircraft shell fired from the Republican side that was defending Valencia from an attack by Francisco Franco's Nationalists. Captain T. B. Drew and four other men on Royal Oak were injured.

  Italy protested to Britain for inviting Haile Selassie to send an envoy to the king's coronation ceremony.

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