6th Boat Race
Date11 June 1842 (1842-06-11)
WinnerOxford
Margin of victory4+1⁄2 lengths
Winning time30 minutes 1 second
Overall record
(Cambridge–Oxford)		4–2
UmpireW. H. Harrison
← 1841 1845 →

The 6th Boat Race took place on the River Thames on 11 June 1842. The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. In a race substantially interrupted by river traffic, Oxford beat Cambridge by a distance of 4+1⁄2 lengths.

Background

The Boat Race, first held in 1829, is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues")[1] and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues").[1] Cambridge went into the race as reigning champions, having defeated Oxford by 22 lengths in the previous year's race. They led overall with four wins to Oxford's one.[2]

Cambridge University Boat Club received the challenge to race from the Oxford University Boat Club secretary Fletcher Menzies in late 1841, in which it was proposed that a race between the universities should take place in late June or early July 1842. Cambridge rejected the suggestion, maintaining that an Easter race would be preferable.[3] A challenge from their captain, John Ridley, was then sent to Leander Club, whose reply bemoaned the fact that they had insufficient numbers to provide an eight, suggesting a four instead. This counteroffer was also rejected and Cambridge offered to row "any eight-oared crew from any club or clubs whatsoever."[4] After further, somewhat acrimonious discussion, it was agreed that Oxford would challenge Cambridge on 11 June 1842, with the caveat that the Light Blues would not row on the Thames before 8 June.[5]

The race took place on a five-and-three-quarter-mile (9.2 km) stretch of the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Putney Bridge.[6][7] The umpire for the race was W. H. Harrison, Commodore of the Royal Thames Yacht Club.[8]

Crews

The Oxford crew weighed an average of 11 st 9.375 lb (73.9 kg), about 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) per rower more than their Light Blue opposition. None of the Oxford crew had rowed in previous Boat Races while Cambridge saw five return from the previous year's event, including John M. Ridley and Francis Penrose who had rowed in the 1840 race.[9][10]

George Denman rowed at number seven for Cambridge.
Seat Cambridge
Oxford
Name College Weight Name College Weight
BowF. E. TowerSt John's10 st 2 lbF. T. MacdougallMagdalen Hall9 st 8 lb
2Hon. L. DenmanMagdalen10 st 11 lbR. MenziesUniversity11 st 3 lb
3W. WatsonJesus10 st 13 lbEd. A. BreadonTrinity12 st 4 lb
4F. C. PenroseMagdalen11 st 10 lbW. B. BrewsterSt John's12 st 10 lb
5R. H. CobboldPeterhouse12 st 6 lbG. Drinkwater BourneOriel13 st 12 lb
6J. RoydsChrist's11 st 7 lbJ. C. CoxTrinity11 st 8 lb
7G. DenmanTrinity10 st 9 lbG. E. Hughes (P)Oriel11 st 6 lb
StrokeJ. M. Ridley (P)Jesus12 st 0 lbF. N. MenziesUniversity10 st 12 lb
CoxA. B. PollockTrinity9 st 7 lbA. T. W. ShadwellBalliol10 st 4 lb
Source:[9]
(P) – boat club president

Race

The 1842 race took place between Westminster and Putney bridges.

Cambridge won the toss and elected to start on the Middlesex side of the river, handing Oxford the Surrey side of the river. Both boats started below the arches of Westminster Bridge. Although Oxford made the better start, Cambridge pulled ahead and led until their course was diverted by river traffic including a steamer and a lighter, allowing the Dark Blues to retake the lead. Between the National Penitentiary and Wandsworth, according to MacMichael "they were not once free from the swell of the steamers" but continued to extend their lead. Once clear of the steamers, Cambridge began to close the gap in the last mile to Putney, but Oxford passed under Putney Bridge with a lead of 4+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 30 minutes 1 second.[2] It was their first victory since the inaugural race in 1829, hence their first win on "London water".[11]

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Dark Blues aim to punch above their weight". The Observer. 6 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Boat Race – Results". The Boat Race Company Limited. Archived from the original on 12 July 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  3. ↑ MacMichael, pp. 93–94
  4. ↑ MacMichael, p. 95
  5. ↑ MacMichael, p. 96
  6. ↑ "The Boat Race". Oxford University Boat Club. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Putney". British History Online. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  8. ↑ Burnell, p. 49
  9. 1 2 MacMichael, pp. 97–98
  10. ↑ Dodd, p. 287
  11. ↑ MacMichael, p. 98

Bibliography

  • Burnell, Richard (1979). One Hundred and Fifty Years of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Precision Press. ISBN 978-0-9500638-7-4.
  • Dodd, Christopher (1983). The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. Stanley Paul. ISBN 978-0-09-151340-5.
  • Drinkwater, G. C.; Sanders, T. R. B. (1929). The University Boat Race – Official Centenary History. Cassell & Company, Ltd.
  • MacMichael, William Fisher (1870). The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races: From A.D. 1829 to 1869. Deighton. p. 37. boat race oxford cambridge.
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