1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
BOAT RACE 1920 - 1929
Oxford University v Cambridge University
Map
Map taken from George Drinkwater's "The Boat Race"
Points on the course in the 1920s (from A G Linney's 'Peepshow of the Port of London') -
Year by year the same points figure in newspaper accounts of the race:
Beverley Brook is almost the first, that tiny tributary of the Thames
which enters close by a rubbish wharf ...
Facing one another next are regions representing democracy and aristocracy in the domain of sport,
for on opposite sides the stream are Fulham Football Ground and the home of polo and golf,
Ranelagh Club.
The comparative position of the rival crews at the 'Crab Tree' is often noted in the press.
This landmark has a threefold significance, for "The Crab Tree" is an hotel close by the north shore,
adjacent to it is a small dock, and a ferry exists as well.
Harrod's, on the south side, is an enormous repository with two distinctive cupolas and a host of balconies,
heaps of furniture stored within showing from its innumerable windows.
To me the place always seems haunted as it were
by the ghosts of dead or scattered households whose Lares and Penates
abide desolate in the silent storerooms.
A pleasing break in the line of wharves comes above Hammersmith Bridge and Creek,
where the handsome houses of Hammersmith Mall show,
and the "Stork" training-ship moored at the western end provides another outstanding point
for comparison of the efforts of the Oxford and Cambridge boats.
Hammersmith is beginning to merge into Chiswick where the base of the great Thames U turns south,
and the low green hump of Chiswick Eyot ... comes into view. ...
Chiswick Ferry plies just above the end of the Eyot.
Just after passing LEP Transport Wharf, with its lighter-loads of boxed moter-cars
which have come up from the short sea traders of the Pool or from the docks,
a hardly noticed spot goes by the name of Duke's Bathing Place, reminder of the distant days
when at high water a little stream flowed inland to a pool
near the mansion belonging to the Dukes of Devonshire.
With the changing times the land here has new owners and a stretch of the north bank forms a promenade
belonging to the Chiswick Urban District Council.
On the south side between the outskirts of barnes and Mortlake Brewery
are Small Profits, Bull Alley, and Ship Lane draw docks,
at least one of these being near a malthouse.
Indeed alongside the portion of the thames where the boat race is rowed are several breweries.
As we approach the winning-line of the race the nature of the opposing banks alters,
for on the north shore are fields and open ground,
while acrosss the water Barnes and Mortlake supply a vista of pleasant residences.
...
The actual winning-line of the Race is marked by a wooden post on one side,
and by a grey stone pillar on the Mortlake shore,
the latter having carved upon it the letters U B R
72: Saturday, 27th March, 1920
In 1920 CAMBRIDGE WON by 4 lengths. Time 21 minutes and 11 seconds. Oxford 39, Cambridge 32
The race, late in the afternoon, drew an enormous crowd which showed that the popularity of the Boat Race
had survived the War.
Conditions were fast to Hammersmith, and then slow with rough water. Cambridge had Surrey.
There was little in the race to the Mile, Cambridge leading by a canvas.
Round the bend, however, they were three-quarters up at Hammersmith and clear at the Doves.
Oxford had to drop behind for shelter. Coming out below Barnes Oxford spurted for the corner,
but Cambridge, better together, answered them and drew right away to win comfortably by four lengths.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1920 S Earl, 12. 6½ N H MacNeil, 12. 0 A T M Durand, 13. 0 A C Hill, 13. 8½ D T Raikes, 13. 7 W E C James, 13. 5½ H W B Cairns, 12. 0 M H Ellis, 10. 4½ W H Porritt, 8. 9½ |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1920 H O C Boret, 12. 1 J H Simpson, 13. 0 A F W Dixon, 12.11 R I L MacEwen, 13. 8 H B Playford, 13. 8 J A Campbell, 13. 5 A Swann, 12. 0½ P H S Hartley, 10.10¼ R T Johnstone, 8.11 |
The "Battle of the Blues" 1920
It was arranged that the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race should be rowed over the usual course
from Putney to Mortlake, on Saturday, March 27 [1920].
The start of the race was fixed for 5.20pm, almost two hours before high water at Putney Bridge,
so that the tide would be one of moderate strength.
It may be recalled that ten days before the race the Cambridge stroke, Mr P.H.S.Hartley, caught a chill,
and his place was taken by Mr R.C.Barrett, of Winchester and First Trinity.
Mr Hartley was sufficiently recovered to resume his place in the boat on March 20.
For a time the Cambridge cox was also changed.
The regular cox was Mr R.T.Johnstone, of Eton and Christ's, but on March 15 he was temporarily replaced by
Mr W.D.Hodgson (private and Jesus)
The following details of the respective boats (each a new one) may be of interest:
Oxford are using a centre-seated craft for the first time,
although in the last race the slides for stroke and No.7 were placed in the centre.
The measurements of the Oxford Boat, built by Rough of Oxford, are:
Length, 63 ft; depth 9½ in. middle, 6½ in. forward, 5½ in. aft;
23 3/5 in. beam; 31 in. leverage; 16 in. slides.
The Cambridge boat, built by Sims of putney, has the following dimensions:
Length, 63 ft; depth 9½ in. middle, 6½ in. forward, 5½ in. aft;
23½ in. beam; 31 in. leverage; 16 in. slides.
[ ie both boats were exactly the same except that Cambridge was 0.1 inch wider! ]
Both boats are built of Honduras cedar, at a cost of nearly £130.
Before the war such boats cost about £60.
73: Wednesday, 30th March, 1921
In 1921 CAMBRIDGE WON by 1 length. Time 19 minutes and 45 seconds. Oxford 39, Cambridge 33
Perfect conditions but a slack tide gave good water for the race.
Oxford won the toss and took Surrey.
Cambridge were the faster off the mark and were clear at the Mile,
but then they tried to take Oxford's water, were driven out, and lost their lead.
The crews raced through Hammersmith level.
Raikes [Oxford stroke] did all he could to gain a commanding lead while the station favoured him,
but he never could clear Cambridge.
At Barnes Oxford still led by half a length but in turn were driven out by Cambridge,
and Hartley [Cambridge stroke], with the bend, drove his crew past them to win by a length
after a terrific race.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1921 M H Ellis, 10.6 P C Mallam, 11. 6¾ S Earl, 12. 5 F B Lothrop, 13. 5 W E C James, 13. 6 R S C Lucas, 13. 7½ G O Nickalls, 12. 6 D T Raikes, 13. 4 W H Porritt, 8. 8 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1921 H O C Boret, 12. 8 A G W Penney, 13. 4 A B Ritchie, 13. 7 A D B Pearson, 13. 7 H B Playford, 13.12 J A Campbell, 13. 4 Hon J W H Fremantle, 12. 0½ P H G H-S Hartley, 11. 1¾ L E Stephens, 8.10 |
74: Saturday, 1st April, 1922
In 1922 CAMBRIDGE WON by 4½ lengths. Time 19 minutes and 27 seconds. Oxford 39, Cambridge 34
There was a slight north-east wind and a fair tide running.
Cambridge won the toss and chose Middlesex.
After a false start owing to the strength of the tide, both crews got away well.
Soon, however, Cambridge drew away, were clear at the Mile, and two lengths up at Hammersmith,
winning comfortably in good time by four and a half lengths.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1922 P C Mallam, 11. 6 A C Irvine, 12. 8 S Earl, 12. 6½ J E Pedder, 12. 9 G O Nickalls, 12. 8 D T Raikes, 13. 6½ G Milling, 11.10 A V Campbell, 11. 5½ W H Porritt, 8.10 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1922 T D A Collet, 12. 3 A J Hodgkin, 12. 6½ K N Craig, 12. 8½ A D B Pearson, 13.10½ H B Playford, 13.10½ B G Ivory, 13. 8 Hon J W H Fremantle, 12. 6½ P H G H-S Hartley, 11. 6 L E Stephens, 9. 4 |
75: Saturday, 24th March, 1923
In 1923 OXFORD WON by ¾ length. Time 20 minutes and 54 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 34
The race was rowed in perfect weather. Cambridge started at the faster rate
and led by a canvas at the end of a minute.
Oxford, who had won the toss and taken Surrey, were upset by the eddy of a steamer
moored to close to their stakeboat.
When they got going properly they went steadily past Cambridge and had a quarter length lead
at the Mile.
By Hammersmith they had three-quarers of a length, and up Chiswick Reach drew right away to two lengths.
Here their superiority ceased, and Cambridge began to draw up.
Mellen [Oxford stroke] could not shake them off, but he had just enough reserve left in his crew
so far to answer Sander's [Cambridge stroke] repeated spurts that he scraped home to win
a splendid race by three-quarters of a length.
BRITISH PATHE - 1923 BOAT RACE - OXFORD V. CAMBRIDGE
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1923 P C Mallam, 11.12 P R Wace, 12. 6½ A C Irvine, 12.10½ R K Kane, 13. 9½ G J Mower-White, 13.11½ J E Pedder, 13. 3½ G O Nickalls, 12.12 W P Mellen, 10.12 G D Clapperton, 7.11 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1923 W F Smith, 11. 7½ F W Law, 12.12 K N Craig, 13. 0 S H Heap, 13. 7½ B G Ivory, 13.10 T D A Collet, 12. 7 R E Morrison, 12. 1 T R B Sanders, 11.12 R A L Balfour, 8. 8 |
A Comparison of the Principal Dimensions of the Oxford and Cambridge Shells;
The lower one, Oxford's, has alternate side seating.
OXFORD RACING CREW MAY HAVE NEW BOAT MODEL
A new racing boat is being considered by the Oxford University rowing officials which may supplant the design
hitherto used. One of the changes considered is a greater freeboard, since it is thought the present model
ships too much water. A radical change, however, is the proposal to arrange the four centre seats
alternately right and left, instead of in the middle.
76: Saturday, 5th April, 1924
Poster 1924
In 1924 CAMBRIDGE WON by 4½ lengths. Time 18 minutes and 41 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 35
There was a fair tide and a light easterly breeze for the race.
Mellen, the Oxford stroke, tried far too much for his crew at the start,
going off at no less than 11, 23, and 42 to Stobart's 10, 19, and 36½, a much more orthodox rate.
The result was that the heavyweights behind him began to rush, and he could not steady them down.
Mellen led for a short time, but Cambridge, on Middlesex, rowing very steadily behind Stobart,
were a quarter length ahead at the Mile, still rowing the slower stroke.
In spite of the bend in their favour, Oxford could not hold them,
and Cambridge were clear at Hammersmith.
Then Stobart made his only spurt and went right away, having three lengths at Chiswick
and four and a half lengths at the finish.
The first appearance of an aeroplane following the race.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1924 P C Mallam, 11.11½ P R Wace, 12. 1½ W F Godden, 12.12 R E Eason, 13. 1½ G J Mower-White, 13. 9½ J E Pedder, 13. 2 G E G Gadsden, 11.10 W P Mellen, 10.10 G D Clapperton, 7. 9½ |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1924 G E G Goddard, 11. 9½ J S Herbert, 11. 9 J A Macnabb, 11.11¾ G L Elliot-Smith, 13. 2 G H Ambler, 12. 2 T D A Collet, 12. 4 C R M Eley, 11. 4 A B Stobart, 11.10½ J A Brown, 7. 7 |
77: Saturday, 28th March, 1925
In 1925 CAMBRIDGE WON. OXFORD SANK. Time 21 minutes and 50 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 36
There was a gale from the north on the day, which raised a heavy sea in Putney Reach,
and the crew that lost the toss and had to take Surrey was practically doomed, although
Mr F I Pitman moored the stakeboats rather over towards Middlesex at the request of both Presidents.
After the toss the conditions grew much worse on the rising tide, and the umpire felt that he could not
alter the position of the stakeboats. Cambridge were fortunate in the toss and, of course, took
Middlesex. Before Oxford could follow Cambridge into the shelter of the Fulham wall they were completely
waterlogged, and by Hammersmith Bridge were sinking fast.
With a head wind the steamers were close up and a tense situation occurred. The steamers, crowded
with people well forward, had their propellers out of the water when they tried to reverse,
and it seemed certain that they would be bound to over-run the Oxford crew.
Luckily the Dark Blues just managed to get as far as the Doves, and, by that time,
the danger was averted.
Cambridge dropped to a paddle and finished the course by themselves.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1925 A H Franklin, 11. 9½ C E Pitman, 11. 7 E C T Edwards, 12. 3½ M R Grant, 11. 8 G J Mower-White, 13. 4 J D W Thomson, 12.10 G E G Gadsden, 11.12 A V Campbell, 11. 9 R Knox, 8. 2 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1925 G E G Goddard, 11. 2½ W F Smith, 11.11 H R Carver, 12.11 J S Herbert, 11.10½ G H Ambler, 12. 7 G L Elliot-Smith, 13. 5 S K Tubbs, 11.13 A G Wansbrough, 11. 7 J A Brown, 8. 0 |
78: Saturday, 27th March, 1926
In 1926 CAMBRIDGE WON by 5 lengths. Time 19 minutes and 29 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 37
The conditions for the race were perfect with a light easterly breeze blowing. Oxford, winning the toss,
took Surrey. Pitman, the Oxford President and stroke, started off at a higher rate and had a quarter
of a length's lead above the boat-houses, but there the Oxford coxswain allowed himself to be jockeyed,
gave way, and lost rather more than his lead.
At the Mile Oxford had regained what they had lost, and by Harrod's had gone up a little more,
but had taken a great deal out of themselves to do it. At Hammersmith Cambridge were coming up.
Pitman made great efforts to draw away on the corner, but his crew were not behind him and Cambridge
grew level at the Stork.
At this point one of the Oxford men in the middle of the boat faltered, and though he was soon going again,
Cambridge shot away, were soon clear and won by five lengths.
Oxford had lost a race which might have been won ...
In 1926 as the crews were passing [Chiswick] Eyot there was seen a specimen of that rare bird, the great crested grebe, scared by the aeroplanes overhead, diving and darting between the banks.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1926 P W Murray-Threipland, 12. 5 T W Shaw, 12. 7½ G H Crawford, 13. 0 W Rathbone, 13. 9 H R A Edwards, 13. 5 J D W Thomson, 13. 5½ E C T Edwards, 12. 9 C E Pitman, 11. 1 Sir J H Croft, 8. 5½ |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1926 M F A Keen, 11. 9 W F Smith, 11. 8 G H Ambler, 12. 5 R B T Craggs, 11.13 Ll V Bevan, 13. 9 J B Bell, 13. 2 S K Tubbs, 12. 4 E C Hamilton-Russell, 11. 8 J A Brown, 8. 6½ |
79: Saturday, 2nd April, 1927
In 1927 CAMBRIDGE WON by 3 lengths. Time 20 minutes and 14 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 38
Oxford won the toss and taken Surrey. There was very little in it to the Mile Post.
Then, with the corner, Oxford forged ahead, had half a length at Hammersmith, and were clear
at the Stork.
But [Oxford] had fought for the lead while Cambridge might have been rowing a practice course
unpaced. When they came into the rough water Cambridge were not only fresher but proved
the better watermen. By Chiswick Steps Cambridge had almost drawn level and, with the station
in their favour above, the race was obviously over.
By Barnes Bridge they were clear and won in the end by three lengths.
The tide after the race rose so high that it flooded the tow-path to the great inconvenience
of spectators.
The BBC hired the launch Magician to carry four BBC engineers, a driver, 1,000lbs of generator and batteries and two commentators:
Sir John Squire and "Gully" Nickalls of Oxford's winning 1923 crew [Oxford 7 in 1921, 5 in 1922, 7 in 1923]
and, probably, the first ex-sportsman at an outside broadcast microphone.
Said Nickalls afterwards: "We stood on each other's foot when it was our turn to interrupt and simply poured excited words from start to finish,
totally oblivious to being heard or not."
They were - and the director-general, John Reith, wired his congratulations.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1927 N E Whiting 11. 9 P Johnson, 11.11 E C T Edwards, 12.10 J D W Thomson, 13. 6 W Rathbone, 13.13 H T Kingsbury, 14. 2 T W Shaw, 12. 7 A M Hankin, 10.11 Sir J H Croft, 8.12 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1870 Hon J S Maclay, 11. 9 T E Letchworth, 11. 7 J C Holcroft, 12. 5 R Beesly, 12.11½ Ll V Bevan, 13. 3½ J B Bell, 13. 3 S K Tubbs, 12. 3 R J Elles, 11. 9 J A Brown, 8.10½ |
80: Saturday, 31st March, 1928
Poster 1928
In 1928 CAMBRIDGE WON by 10 lengths. Time 20 minutes and 25 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 39
The race was rowed on a slack tide but with good conditions.
Oxford, winning the toss, chose Middlesex, hoping to extend Cambridge to the Mile.
But the station was of no use to them. Cambridge had half a length in a minute,
dropped to 29 and allowed Oxford at 3 strokes a minute more to hold them to the Mile.
Letchworth [Cambridge stroke] put in a good 20, and the race was over, the Light Blues
winning by ten lengths in a paddle.
Cambridge leading the 1928 boatrace
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1928 M C Graham, 11. 3 T W Shaw, 12.10 N E Whiting, 11.11 H C Morphett, 12. 3 G M Brander, 13. 9 G E Godber, 12.12 P W Murray-Threipland, 12.12 W S Llewellyn, 12. 3 Sir J H Croft, 9. 4 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1928 R G Michell, 11. 4 N M Aldous, 11.13 M H Warriner, 13. 0 R Beesly, 13. 4 J C Holcroft, 12.13 J B Collins, 14. 3 R A Symonds, 11.12 T E Letchworth, 12. 9 A L Sulley, 8. 6 |
81: Saturday, 23rd March, 1929
In 1929 CAMBRIDGE WON by 7 lengths. Time 19 minutes and 24 seconds. Oxford 40, Cambridge 40
And thus one hundred years on from the first Boat Race the scores became equal!
Centenary Poster, 1929
There was a good tide and a light breeze varying betwenn west and north-west.
Cambridge won the toss, and Oxford on Middlesex gained a little in the first half minute,
then Cambridge went by them and with three quarter of a length at Craven Steps dropped their rate
to four strokes less than the 34 Oxford kept up.
Past the Mile positions were unchanged, but then Brocklebank [Cambridge stroke]
delivered his knockout "20" and the race was over.
Brocklebank, though he had a commanding lead, occasionally spurted up Chiswick Reach
and finally won by seven lengths.
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
OXFORD 1929 P D Barr, 11. 5 G E Godber, 12 4½ C F S W Juel-Brockdorff, 12.12 J M Macdonald, 12.12½ H C Morphett, 12. 4 J A Ingles, 13.10 D E Tinne, 12. 0 A Graham, 11. 2½ G V Stopford, 8.10 |
Bow 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stroke Cox |
CAMBRIDGE 1929 E N Norman-Butler, 12. 0 R J Elles, 12. 4½ R A Davies-Cooke, 12. 1½ R Beesly, 13. 6 M H Warriner, 13. 6 J B Collins, 14. 6 C E Wool-Lewis, 12. 2½ T A Brocklebank, 11.12 A L Sulley, 8.10 |
In 1929, a century after the first race, after eighty one boat races, the overall tally was equal!
Oxford 40, Cambridge 40 (and one dead heat)
In 1898 Oxford peaked at 10 ahead (32 to 22)
In 1913 Oxford were 9 ahead (39 to 30)
In the decade after the first world war the Oxford lead was completely wiped out.
Leadership in Overall Tally of Boat Race Wins:
 
| |
| 1829 | 1929 |
Click for Hammersmith Bridge
Boat race in 1930s