Oxford v. Cambridge

Rain threw wavering curtains across the arches of Putney Bridge as the two crews moved out and headed up the Thames. No Oxford crew had won since 1923, and because this one was rated as no better than other Oxford crews the people on the banks could hardly credit what they saw. Oxford slid out rowing quickly and smoothly, a half-length ahead in a dozen strokes, a length ahead after the first minute. Past Harrod's wharf and under Hammersmith Bridge Oxford was in front and round the bend into rough water and a wind that thinned the falling drops. Over the flat banks of the Stork, that tiny island past the first bridge, the wind spread whitening fans upstream, and Robert Swartwout, U. S. coxswain of the Cambridge boat, veered over toward the bank, looking for shelter. The water was white all the way to Corney Reach, at the second bend, but Oxford felt the wind most; Cambridge was closing up, and going to Barnes Bridge little Swartwout's barks quickened, his shell moved even. The crowd in Duke's Meadows on Middlesex Isle saw Cambridge take the lead and the crowd on the bridge could see how spasmodic and unsure the Oxford stroke was now, could almost hear the gasp of the Oxford men as the boats went through the middle arch of the bridge. Along the straight half-mile past Mortlake Brewery to Stake Boars, little Swartwout's men were pulling away, an inch, then a foot at a time. Past the high chimney of Mortlake Brewery, Cambridge went in lovely style and over the finish line, sitting up straight, while Oxford, having rowed better than anyone thought they could, slumped over their oars in the traditional manner of beaten crews and splashed each other with water.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.