Torpids 1938

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Magdalen 50 49 New College 2 New College 49 44 St Edmund Hall 3 St Edmund Hall 40 41 Magdalen 4 Balliol 38 38 Balliol 5 St John's 37 35 Pembroke 6 University 35 35 St John's 7 Exeter 30 33 University 8 Oriel 26 31 Christ Church 9 Christ Church 25 23 Exeter 10 Pembroke 24 22 Trinity 11 Corpus Christi 21 20 Oriel 12 Keble 19 18 Corpus Christi 13 Merton 16 17 Keble 14 Brasenose 16 16 Merton 15 Trinity 15 15 Brasenose 16 Queen's 14 14 Queen's 17 Jesus 12 14 Hertford 18 Worcester 11 11 Worcester 19 Lincoln 10 9 St Peter's 20 Hertford 9 8 Jesus 21 St Peter's 6 7 Wadham 22 Wadham 5 6 Lincoln 23 St Catherine's 4 4 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg St Peter's 2[ 3] 12[ 1] 6.00[ 1] Hertford 2[ 3] 8[ 2] 4.00[ 2] Christ Church 3[ 2] 8[ 2] 2.67[ 5] Wadham 1[19] 4[ 4] 4.00[ 2] Trinity 1[19] 4[ 4] 4.00[ 2] St Edmund Hall 2[ 3] 3[ 6] 1.50[ 6] University 2[ 3] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 7] St John's 2[ 3] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 7] Balliol 4[ 1] 1[ 9] 0.25[10] Pembroke 2[ 3] 1[ 9] 0.50[ 9] Queen's 2[ 3] 0[11] 0.00[11] Corpus Christi 2[ 3] 0[11] 0.00[11] St Catherine's 1[19] 0[11] 0.00[11] Keble 2[ 3] -1[14] -0.50[14] Brasenose 2[ 3] -3[15] -1.50[15] Worcester 2[ 3] -3[15] -1.50[15] Jesus 1[19] -4[17] -4.00[22] Exeter 2[ 3] -5[18] -2.50[17] New College 2[ 3] -5[18] -2.50[17] Merton 2[ 3] -5[18] -2.50[17] Oriel 2[ 3] -6[21] -3.00[20] Lincoln 1[19] -6[21] -6.00[23] Magdalen 2[ 3] -7[23] -3.50[21]

• 6 days: Thu 17 – Wed 23 Feb, 1938
• The Times Thu 17 Feb gives division times at one hour intervals, starting at 2pm.

• The Times Thu 17 Feb

  The Torpid Races will be begun to-day at Oxford. Forty-three crews, one more than last year, have entered. New College and Exeter are not putting on third crews, but there are three newcomers, Corpus II, Christ Church III, and Balliol IV. This is the first occasion on which Corpus have been represented by a second crew. Magdalen again start Head of the River, but they may have some difficulty in keeping clear of New College.

  The fourth division will row at 2 o'clock and the others at intervals of one hour.

• The Times Fri 18 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Magdalen challenged by New College

  The Torpids were begun at Oxford yesterday, when there was a strong north-easterly wind, with snow, rain, and sleet falling alternately throughout the afternoon. There were very few spectators on the towing path.

  The two leading boats in the first division, Magdalen and New College, had a most interesting struggle all the way up but the two crews maintained their positions, although Magdalen were little more than half a length in front at the finish. In all, 13 bumps were recorded.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford II, Balliol III, Corpus II, Christ Church III, Balliol IV. Hertford II rowed over, as Balliol III were late in getting into position and Corpus II caught them at the start. Christ Church III came up at their leisure, a distance in front of Balliol IV.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— St. Catherine's, Exeter II, St. Peter's Hall, St. Edmund Hall II, Brasenose II, Queen's II, Oriel II, Keble II, Pembroke II, Merton II, St. Peter's Hall II, University College II, Worcester II, Hertford II. St. Catherine's rowed over at the head, as Exeter II, who were being hard pressed by St. Peter's Hall in Iffley Reach, were caught in the Gut. St. Edmund Hall held Brasenose II, who finished two lengths ahead of Queen's II. Oriel II fell to Keble II coming through the Gut and Merton II were bumped by St. Peter's Hall II before reaching the Weirs Bridge. Hertford II made short work of Worcester II by bumping them at Haystack Corner.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Merton, Brasenose, Jesus, Queen's, Lincoln, Worcester, New College II, Hertford, Balliol II, St. John's II, Magdalen II, Christ Church II, Wadham, St. Catherine's. Merton maintained their position without much effort and finished more than two lengths ahead of Brasenose. Jesus had a good race with Queen's until getting out of the Gut, when the latter drew up rapidly and caught them under the Willows. Worcester bumped Lincoln coming through the Gut and Hertford, gaining fast on New College II from the start, bumped them just before getting into the Gut. Balliol II had to make a wide detour to clear these two boats, with the results that St. John's II caught them after an exciting race opposite the Cherwell. Magdalen II got away very badly and fell easy victims to Christ Church II at Haystack Corner.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, St. Edmund Hall, University College, St. John's, Balliol, Exeter, Oriel, Pembroke, Corpus, Christ Church, Keble, Trinity, Merton. New College soon began to gain on Magdalen and coming out of the Gut little more than a quarter of a length separated the two boats. Along the Willows Magdalen held their own and after a gruelling race eventually finished with a little over half a length to spare. St. Edmund Hall failed to make much impression on New College over the first half of the course, but after passing the Boathouse they improved their position and only a length separated the two boats at the finish. University College, St. John's, Balliol, and Exeter finished wide distances apart but Pembroke gained on Oriel in Iffley Reach and caught them before coming out of the Gut. Corpus fell to Christ Church at the Free Ferry and Trinity overtook Keble between the New Bridge and the Free Ferry.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 18 Feb

  The weather for the opening of the Oxford University Torpids yesterday was atrocious. Heavy snow fell throughout and there was a bitterly cold wind.

  The first seven boats in the First Division rowed over. There were 13 bumps in all, the largest number being in the Second Division, in which only the first two and last two boats rowed through. Bumps are indicated by brackets: [...]

• The Times Sat 19 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  New College bump Magdalen

  In contrast to the opening afternoon brilliant sunshine attended yesterday's racing at Oxford, although a keen north-easterly wind was hardly appreciated by the many spectators who gathered on the towing path. Fortunately for the crews it blew downstream for the main part. Some interesting racing was seen and altogether 16 bumps were made.

  Interest centered in the race for the headship of the river, and after an exciting struggle between Magdalen, the head boat, New College, and St. Edmund Hall. New College succeeded in catching Magdalen opposite the Corpus barge. St. Edmund Hall in the meantime had been catching New College and it was a close thing which boat bumped first. St. Edmund Hall were in consequence unable to get clear and lay to while St. John's and University College rowed a gruelling race home which ended in favour of St. John's before the boats were clear of the winning post. Keble and Merton at the bottom of the first division provided another fine struggle, which was won by Merton 40 yards from the finish.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Worcester II, Corpus II, Balliol III, Christ Church III, Balliol IV. Worcester II retained the headship and finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Corpus II, who steered a bad course coming through the Gut, where they fouled the bank, and were fortunate to escape Balliol III, who had drawn well on to them when the latter were caught by Christ Church at the Freewater Stone.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— St. Catherine's, St. Peter's Hall, Exeter II, St. Edmund Hall II, Brasenose II, Queen's II, Keble II, Oriel II, Pembroke II, St. Peter's Hall II, Merton II, University College II, Hertford II, Worcester II. St. Peter's Hall soon began to gain on St. Catherine's, who lost distance coming out of the Gut and finally struck their colours opposite the First Willow. St. Edmund Hall II and Exeter II rowed a good race. The latter were some distance behind at the Long Bridges, but, making a strong effort along Green Bank they steadily drew up and made their bump near the New College barge. Brasenose II were unlucky when their stroke broke his oar before reaching the New Bridge and they fell to Queen's II. Keble II also came to grief, as they ran into the bank soon after the start and were overtaken by Oriel II. Pembroke II and St. Peter's Hall II had an interesting race, for although the Hall were well up coming out of the Gut Pembroke II struggled on manfully before being bumped opposite the Corpus barge. Merton II got away badly and fell to University College II at Haystack Corner.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Merton, Brasenose, Queen's, Jesus, Worcester, Lincoln, Hertford, New College II, St. John's II, Balliol II, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, Wadham, St. Peter's Hall. Merton retained the headship, but they had to row hard all the way, for at one time Brasenose were gaining fast. Merton held them after passing the Boathouse and finished with a length in hand. Queen's followed three lengths behind Brasenose and two lengths in front of Jesus, who were more than their starting distance ahead of Worcester. Hertford gained on Lincoln at the start, but whatever chance the latter had of getting away was spoiled through their No. 7 catching a crab, and they were bumped near the Free Ferry. Balliol II and Christ Church II rowed through, but Wadham, going off strongly, dashed into Magdalen II at Haystack Corner, and in doing so damaged some of the riggers. St. Peter's Hall, who had come up out of the second division, were within their distance of Wadham at the time.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen, New College, St. Edmund Hall, University College, St. John's, Balliol, Exeter, Pembroke, Oriel, Christ Church, Corpus, Trinity, Keble, Merton. A fine race was rowed among the three leading boats. While New College were gaining on Magdalen, the former were losing distance to St. Edmund Hall, and coming out of the Gut there was about half a length between each boat and this distance was much reduced when they passed the the New Cut, where New College seemed to give a little, but they made a fine effort along the Wall and caught Magdalen opposite the Corpus barge. St. Edmund Hall had come up, too, and it was a question whether they would make their bump first, as they were right on to New College at the time. In consequence they could not get clear, and University College and St. John's, engaged in another stirring race, rowed past them. At one point it seemed that University would just get home, but St. John's made a strong effort in the last 200 yards and, helped by the admirable steering of their cox, made their bump on the post. Balliol rowed through, Exeter being caught by Pembroke at the Red Post, and Oriel fell to Christ Church under the Green Bank. Trinity soon took the measure of Corpus and overtook them near the New Bridge. Keble and Merton provided another exciting race all the way up which ended in Merton's favour opposite the Old University barge.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 19 Feb

  Oxford Torpids Thrill
  New College bump leaders near post

  New College went to the head of the Oxford University Torpids yesterday, when, after a gruelling race in the first division, they caught the leaders, Magdalen, opposite Corpus barge, a short distance from the winning post.

  It was a great race among the top three boats, Magdalen, New College and St. Edmund Hall, and it was touch and go till the finish. New College were stroked by R. M. A. Bourne, a son of Capt. R. C. Bourne, M.P. for Oxford City, who himself stroked the Oxford eight to victory on four occasions.

  There were 16 bumps in all, and St. Peter's Hall were in winning vein, both their crews going up. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Mon 21 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  New College paddle over

  The Torpid races at Oxford on Saturday were continued in calmer weather. There was a re-row in the morning, University College having claimed that they had bumped St. Edmund Hall on Friday, when the latter well held up by the New College bump. The committee decided on a re-row between St. Edmund Hall, University College, and St. John's, who had bumped University College on Thursday [actually Friday]. St. Edmund Hall came in three or four lengths ahead of University College, who were half that distance ahead of St. John's.

  There was a good attendance, but the racing was interesting only to those people stationed above [sic] the Boathouse, for all 13 bumps were made below the Red Post. New College paddled over for the headship, but they may have a harder task to-day now that St. Edmund Hall have taken second place by bumping Magdalen. The most interesting race was between Keble and Brasenose for the headship of the Second Division, which Keble just managed to retain.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Worcester II, Corpus II, Christ Church III, Balliol III, Balliol IV. Corpus II, driven on by Christ Church III, were right on to Worcester II at the Ferry and overtook them coming through the Gut. Christ Church III were well up with them at the time.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— St. Peter's Hall, St. Catherine's, St. Edmund Hall II, Exeter II, Queen's II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Keble II, St. Peter's Hall II, Pembroke II, University College II, Merton II, Hertford II, Corpus II. St. Peter's Hall had an easy task at the head of the division and finished considerably more than their starting distance in front of St. Catherine's. St. Edmund Hall II and Exeter II followed a wide distance apart, but Queen's II had to row hard to escape Brasenose II, the latter finishing within a length of them. Keble II held St. Peter's Hall II in Iffley Reach, but after leaving the Gut the Hall gained rapidly and made their bump under the Willows, Keble II at the time being well on to Oriel II. University College II went up very fast on Pembroke II at the start and bumped them just after getting through the New Bridge. Hertford II bumped Merton II just after passing Haystack corner.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Keble, Brasenose, Queen's, Jesus, Worcester, Hertford, Lincoln, St. John's II, New College II, Balliol II, Christ Church II, Wadham, Magdalen II, St. Peter's Hall. Keble held their own without much effort until leaving the Gut, when Brasenose began to gain. They were within a quarter of a length when Keble passed the post. In the meantime Brasenose had drawn well away from Queen's, whom they led home by three lengths, and a similar distance separated Queen's from Jesus. Hertford were well up with Worcester at the top of Iffley Reach, and putting in a well-timed spurt overhauled them coming through the Gut. Balliol II soon drew on the New College II and bumped them at the New Bridge, but Christ Church II held Wadham until after leaving the Gut, when Wadham gained rapidly and made their bump at the Willows. St. Peter's Hall overtook Magdalen II near Haystack Corner.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— New College, Magdalen, St. Edmund Hall, University College, St. John's, Balliol, Pembroke, Exeter, Christ Church, Oriel, Trinity, Corpus, Merton, Keble. New College, who had taken the headship the previous afternoon, retained their position without difficulty. They were fully their distance ahead when St. Edmund Hall caught Magdalen coming up the Green Bank. University College rowed through, but St. John's, after an exciting race along the Willows, fell to Balliol at the Crossing. Pembroke rowed over and were right away from Exeter when Exeter were caught by Christ Church coming through the Gut. Trinity, making a good start, gained rapidly on Oriel and bumped them after passing the Free Ferry, and Corpus finished a long way ahead of Merton, who were several lengths in front of Keble.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 21 Feb

  A re-row was ordered between four first division crews in the Oxford Torpids. St. Edmund Hall, University, St. John's and Balliol [?]. They rowed over without recording a bump.

  There were 13 bumps in the four divisions bringing the number for the first three days' racing up to 42. Bumps, indicated by brackets, were: [...]

• The Times Tue 22 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  St. Edmund Hall's strong challenge

  The wind had almost entirely dropped for the Oxford University Torpids yesterday, and the crews had very little stream to contend with. The racing was rather less interesting, for in the four divisions only 10 bumps were made.

  After their strong effort on the opening day, when they nearly succeeded in catching New College before the latter went to the head of the river, it was expected that St. Edmund Hall would catch New College yesterday and so secure the headship for the first time in their career. New College, however, succeeded in maintaing their position, although by no more than a quarter of a length. To-day's race between the two crews should again be most interesting. Magdalen II were deprived of the headship of the third division by St. Catherine's, who had previously lost it to St. Peter's Hall, whose two crews each made a fourth bump.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Corpus II, Worcester II, Christ Church III, Balliol III, Balliol IV. Corpus II, who had secured the headship on Saturday from Worcester II, paddled over, but Worcester II again went down, being bumped by Christ Church III half way up Iffley Reach.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen II, St. Catherine's, St. Edmund Hall II, Exeter II, Queen's II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, St. Peter's Hall II, Keble II, University College II, Pembroke II, Hertford II, Merton II, Corpus II. Magdalen II, who had come down from the Second Division, soon lost distance to St. Catherine's, who came up rapidly from the Launch Works and overtook them just after entering the Gut. St. Edmund Hall II easily held their own against Exeter II and finished two lengths ahead after Exeter II had gained coming out of the Gut. Queen's II followed two lengths behind Exeter II and fully their distance in front of Brasenose II. St. Peter's Hall II again went up when, after a hard race in Iffley Reach, they caught Oriel II coming through the Gut. Keble II rowed up their distance ahead of University College II, but Pembroke II made little headway against Hertford II and were overtaken before reaching the Ferry. Merton II fell to Corpus II as the boats were entering the Gut.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Keble, Brasenose, Queen's, Jesus, Hertford, Worcester, St. John's II, Lincoln, Balliol II, New College II, Wadham, Christ Church II, St. Peter's Hall, St. Catherine's. Although Brasenose gained on Keble over the first half of the course Keble held them off after coming out of the Gut and reached home with a length to spare. Queen's followed some distance behind Brasenose, but Jesus quite failed to to hold their own against Hertford, who caught them near the Freewater Stone. A fine race was rowed between Worcester and St. John's II, who came on steadily and, passing the Boathouse, looked like making their bump at the Cherwell. Worcester, however, spurted and, finishing the stronger, passed the post a quarter of a length to the good. Lincoln were outpaced by Balliol II from the start and had to strike their colours just after passing the New Bridge. New College II held Wadham in Iffley Reach, but a determined effort by Wadham coming through the Gut brought a bump at the Long Bridges. St. Peter's Hall continued their upward career, and in an exciting race caught Christ Church II at the Red Post.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— New College, St. Edmund Hall, Magdalen, University College, Balliol, St. John's, Pembroke, Christ Church, Exeter, Trinity, Oriel, Corpus, Merton, Keble. St. Edmund Hall gained up Iffley Reach, but coming out of the Gut New College were fully a length ahead and they maintained their advantage until after passing the Boathouse, when St. Edmund Hall began to gain again. New College, however, never relaxed and finally passed the post a bare quarter of a length in front. St. Edmund Hall in the meantime had drawn right away from Magdalen, who finished their distance ahead of University College, who, in their turn, were three lengths ahead of Balliol. St. John's and Pembroke had an interesting race below the Boathouse and Pembroke, making a determined effort coming through the Gut, made their bump along the Green Bank. Christ Church came up ahead of Exeter, who although losing distance to Trinity succeeded in holding their own to the finish with a bare length in hand. Oriel followed three lengths behind Trinity, and their distance ahead of Corpus, who finished a length in front of Merton.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 22 Feb

  The number of bumps in the fourth day of the Oxford torpids was reduced to 10, a sure sign that the crews are finding their normal level.

  As anticipated, there was a very close race between New College and St. Edmund Hall for the headship of the river. A length in arrears at the boathouse, the Hall came up very fast along the barges and New College had only a quarter of a length to spare at the post.

  In Division III St. Catherine's crashed into Magdalen II and sank them, damaging their rigging and giving the oarsmen a ducking. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Wed 23 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  New College still lead

  Cheerless weather attended the fourth day's racing in the Torpids at Oxford yesterday and the only consolation was that the bitter north-easterly wind was moderate in force. As a consequence the attendance was poor.

  Interest centred in the race for the headship between New College and St. Edmund Hall after the close fight they had made of it the previous afternoon when New College escaped defeat by a bare quarter of a length. On that occasion St. Edmund Hall were a length behind at the half distance and so they tried cutting-down tactics, but with no better success, for although they were within a quarter of a length at the Gut New College drew away from this point and increased their advantage to nearly half a length at the finish. Pembroke gained another place at the expense of Balliol and Trinity found another victim in Exeter.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Merton II, Christ Church III, Worcester II, Balliol III, Balliol IV. Merton II were overtaken by Christ Church at the Free Ferry and nearby Worcester II were caught by Balliol III.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— St. Catherine's, Magdalen II, St. Edmund Hall II, Exeter II, Queen's II, Brasenose II, St. Peter's Hall II, Oriel II, Keble II, University College II, Hertford II, Pembroke II, Corpus II, Christ Church III. St. Catherine's paddled through, but there was a good race between Magdalen II and St. Edmund Hall II. The latter were well up coming out of the Gut and although Magdalen struggled hard St. Edmund Hall came up fast after passing the Boathouse and made their bump opposite the Worcester barge. The St. Edmund Hall crew, however, failed to get clear of Exeter II with the result that the latter dashed into them and their bow was pitched into the river. The other seven men, however, managed to row the boat home in safety. St. Peter's Hall II increased their winning record by bumping Brasenose II as the boats were coming out of the Gut and at the same spot Oriel II were caught by Keble II. Hertford II gained steadily on University II and were right on to them at the Willows. They failed to maintain the effort, however, and University, moving away again, finished a bare length ahead. Christ Church III, who had come up from the Fourth Division, bumped Corpus II between the New Bridge and the Ferry.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Keble, Brasenose, Queen's, Hertford, Jesus, Worcester, St. John's II, Balliol II, Lincoln, Wadham, New College II, St. Peter's Hall, Christ Church II, St. Catherine's. Keble were never in any danger of losing the headship, for although Brasenose gained at one point they finished nearly two lengths ahead. There was a fine race between Queen's and Hertford. The latter gained steadily up Iffley Reach and, coming out of the Gut, were only half a length ahead. Queen's then held them for a time, but at the Boathouse Hertford were only a quarter of a length in the rear and, spurting hard along the wall, made their bump just after passing the Cherwell. Jesus were soon in difficulties with Worcester, who came up fast after passing the Old Ferry and bumped them just before entering the Gut. St. John's II rowed in some lengths ahead of Balliol II, but New College II soon lost ground to St. Peter's Hall, who overhauled them half way up Iffley Reach. Christ Church II lost ground to St. Catherine's, but held their own to the end and passed the post with three-quarters of a length to spare.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— New College, St. Edmund Hall, Magdalen, University College, Balliol, Pembroke, St. John's, Christ Church, Exeter, Trinity, Oriel, Corpus, Merton, Keble. There was another fine race between St. Edmund Hall and New College. The former, after the previous night's experience, went off for all they were worth and, gaining all the way up Iffley Reach, came out of the Gut only a quarter of a length behind. New College held them all along the Green Bank and, coming up the Wall, recovered some of the distance they had lost and eventually passed the post with just half a length in hand. The two leading crews had drawn right away from Magdalen, who followed some four lengths behind and a length and a half in front of University College. Balliol and Pembroke had a good race over the first half of the course, but after getting out of the Gut Pembroke made a good effort and made their bump under the Willows. Christ Church tried hard to overhaul St. John's, but although they were right up to them at the Red Post St. John's got away again and finished nearly half a length to the good. Trinity, gaining rapidly up Iffley Reach, bumped Exeter when coming into the Gut, but the remaining boats finished in their starting order, with Corpus a length behind Oriel.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 23 Feb

  Swam Under Boats — Unusual Accident during Oxford Torpids

  On the fifth day's racing of the Oxford torpids yesterday there were 12 bumps.

  New College maintained their position at the head of the river despite a plucky effort by St. Edmund Hall. Both St. Peter's Hall crews and Hertford were again successful and each got a fifth bump. There was an unprecedented and alarming accident in Division III when St. Edmund Hall II bumped Magdalen II. Exeter II, who were close up, crashed into the Hall and their bow oar somersaulted out of his boat into the river and swam under water till the boats had passed over him.

  Exeter continued rowing with seven men and finished the course without being bumped. They had previously lost two places with their full crew. Bumps are indicated by brackets: [...]

• The Times Thu 24 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  New College Head of the River

  After six day's racing the Torpids were concluded yesterday, when there was another exciting race for the headship of the river. The weather was seasonable and fine, but an easterly wind blew across the river.

  During the six days' racing 72 bumps were made, which was hardly as many as usual, and the racing, save on one or two occasions, was not very exciting. New College, after securing the the headship from Magdalen on the opening day, maintained their position to the finish.

  Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Corpus II, Merton II, Balliol III, Worcester II, Balliol IV. Corpus retained their position at the head of the division without difficulty, but Merton II were overtaken by Balliol III coming out of the Gut, while Balliol IV finished within their starting distance of Worcester II.

  Third Division. Order of Starting.— St. Catherine's, St. Edmund Hall II, Exeter II, Magdalen II, Queen's II, St. Peter's Hall II, Brasenose II, Keble II, Oriel II, University College II, Hertford II, Pembroke II, Christ Church III, Corpus II. St. Catherine's were never extended and finished head of the division 2½ lengths in front of St. Edmund Hall II, who were about the same distance ahead of Exeter II. Queen's II lost ground to St. Peter's Hall II in Iffley Reach and the latter, spurting hard in the Gut, bumped them at the beginning of the Green Bank. Brasenose II came out of the Gut with a length in hand, but fell away along the Green Bank and Keble II overtook them at the Red Post. University II were well up on Oriel II at the the Ferry and the latter gave way coming through the Gut, where Christ Church III were pressing Pembroke II. The latter, however, refused to give way and reached the New College Barge before Christ Church III bumped them.

  Second Division. Order of Starting.— Keble, Brasenose, Queen's, Hertford, Jesus, Worcester, St. John's II, Balliol II, Lincoln, Wadham, New College II, St. Peter's Hall, Christ Church II, St. Catherine's. Brasenose made a determined effort to deprive Keble of the headship, but without success. The latter were well away at the Crossing but coming up the Wall, Brasenose steadily reduced the distance between them and were within a quarter of a length when the boats passed the post. Hertford had their winning record broken and found Brasenose too good for them. They gained steadily until reaching the Boathouse when they were only a quarter of a length behind, but Brasenose finished strongly along the Wall and reached the post with nearly half a length in hand. Queen's followed fully four lengths behind Hertford and had to row hard all the way to escape Worcester, who, however, finished only a length behind. St. John's II and Jesus had a good race over the first half of the course. St. John's were only about a canvas behind when they came out of the Gut, but Jesus held them along the Green Bank. Then St. John's spurted hard and made their bump at the University Boathouse. Lincoln provided St. Peter's Hall with their sixth bump, the latter gaining rapidly from the start and bumping them near the Weirs Bridge, while Christ Church II, getting away very fast, bumped New College II just after passing the New Bridge.

  First Division. Order of Starting.— New College, St. Edmund Hall, Magdalen, University College, Pembroke, Balliol, St. John's, Christ Church, Trinity, Exeter, Oriel, Corpus, Merton, Keble. There was another exciting race between New College and St. Edmund Hall for the headship. The latter went in hot pursuit from the start and, gaining ground rapidly up Iffley Reach, were within half a length as the boats came out of the Gut. Along the Green Bank New College spurted and were leading by three-quarters of a length at the University Boathouse. St. Edmund Hall made another determined effort and again gained ground along the Wall, but New College eventually passed the post with a lead of half a length. Magdalen followed some lengths behind St. Edmund Hall, University College, the next boat, being bumped by Pembroke at the Red Post. St. John's made a good effort to catch Balliol but without success, the latter finishing a third of a length to the good. Oriel had a hard task to escape Corpus, who were within half a length at the Boathouse, and finished only two or three yards behind them.

  The New College crew were:— [as below, except G. R. Radcliffe].

• The Daily Telegraph

  Oxford Torpds End — New College remain Head of the River

  The Oxford Torpids were concluded yesterday, when New College finished head of the river, a position they last occupied in 1935. There were nine bumps on the final day's racing, making a total for the six days of 72. Both St. Peter's Hall crews made six bumps and Hertford five.

  New College were again hard pressed by St. Edmund Hall and had only three-quarters of a length to spare at the finish. The New College crew, five of whom are freshmen, are: [as below, except E. D. Reid, J. A. A. Robinson, and R. N. Nabarro]

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

• In other news ... [1938]

  Feb 12

  Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg of Austria meets Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden and, under threat of invasion, is forced to yield to German demands for greater Nazi participation in the Austrian government.

  Feb 14

  The British naval base at Singapore begins operations.

  Feb 20

  Sir Anthony Eden resigns as British Foreign Secretary, following major disagreements with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain over the best policy to follow in regards to Italy, and is succeeded by Lord Halifax.

  Feb 22

  The Battle of Teruel ends in a Nationalist victory with recapture of the city, a turning point in the Spanish Civil War.

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