The Boat Race 1862
| 19th Boat Race | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 12 April 1862 | ||
| Winner | Oxford | ||
| Margin of victory | 10 lengths | ||
| Winning time | 24 minutes 34 seconds | ||
| Overall record (Cambridge–Oxford) |
10–9 | ||
| Umpire |
Joseph William Chitty (Oxford) |
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The 19th Boat Race between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge took place on the River Thames on 12 April 1862. Oxford won by 10 lengths in a time of 24 minutes and 34 seconds, taking the overall record to 10–9 in Cambridge's favour.
The Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing competition between the University of Oxford (sometimes referred to as the "Dark Blues") and the University of Cambridge (sometimes referred to as the "Light Blues"). The race was first held in 1829, and since 1845 has taken place on the 4.2-mile (6.8 km) Championship Course on the River Thames in southwest London. The rivalry is a major point of honour between the two universities and followed throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide. Oxford went into the race as reigning champions, having won the 1861 race by sixteen lengths, with Cambridge leading overall with ten victories to Oxford's eight.
Both University crews were downselected from trials eights, with varied success. The Cambridge crew set a record time during practice, while Oxford "were in very rough condition". Just one former Blues returned to the crew, instead of the four who had been expected. Morale was so low in the Dark Blue camp that it was suggested that they write to Cambridge claiming that they could not assemble a crew. The Oxford University Boat Club president and coach George Morrison refused this course of action and the race was set for 12 April 1862.
The boats were built by J. and S. Salter of Oxford. The race was umpired by Joseph William Chitty who had rowed for Oxford twice in 1849 (in the March and December races) and the 1852 race, while the starter was Edward Searle.
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