The 1860s, when Oxford won every race from 1861 to 1869 inclusive, has rightly been considered as one of the low points of Cambridge rowing, not only in terms of their technique - which was still largely based on the typical waterman’s short stroke with poor feathering - but also in their morale. And it should be so regarded.

However it is interesting to note that even when a crew is winning consistently, the task of the President is by far from being a bed of roses. The great George Morrison who did so much for Oxford rowing, particularly as coach was their President in 1862 again and wrote in the President’s book:

“Hence men began to despair of our winning the race; and we were usually advised to write to Cambridge and say that we could not get up a crew. Let no future captain ever despair, for if matters do not look well few will encourage him, while most will abuse him, but let him make up his mind to depend entirely on himself and never to be influenced in the least by what is said of him and what he hears”

Later he adds some tips for Oxford Presidents “with little experience and with no one to assist him:”

“In the first place never mind what is said about you: next recollect that the man who appears the best oar in October is often not the man to choose. Take a good big man as early as you can and lick him into shape. Above all fix upon three or four men (never mind how they row) early in November at least and stick to them and don’t bother yourself beause not more than one or two old oars can row; old oars ofen do more harm than good. Again the best oar is not always the best man to have in a crew. Especially if he is likely to make a row in a crew.

"Cambridge lost last year [1861] very much owing to this. Again, if you want relly good form you must work the College crews in the summer term and make the committee do the same…. Next, as to training, lay down certain rules and never let a man break them in the very least thing. Large wine glasses and such things will lose you a race sooner than anything else. Be sure that you know your men. Experience has taught the writer of this that all men cannot be trusted.”

There is considerable wisdom in this, written by a man who in 1862 was only 22. Perhaps the only disadvantage that he gave Oxford from his period as President and coach was his concentration, as seen here, that selection should concentrate on size and weight and that technique could be taught.

Oxford subsequently concentrated on this even after George Morrison ceased to be involved and without his ability in teaching technique it often landed them in difficulty.

But this was certainly not the case in 1862, for Oxford produced a crew that was well up to standard. Cambridge on the other hand found great difficulty over selecting their crew and during the training period before arriving at Putney were constantly changing their crew and their order.

Whereas Oxford had used the Trial VIIIs system since 1839, Cambridge had persisted with the system of bumping races between the President’s selected crew and that formed by the College captains from before 1839 up to 1861. It was only in the Michaelmas term before the 1862 race, that they moved over to the Oxford system.

The tradition of the Trial VIIIs race rowed over the full championship course is still (over 140 years later) an important part of the build-up to the Race today and it is still held at the end of the Michaelmas term.

It often gives new potential Blues their first chance to experience a side by side race of over 4 miles over the course, but in terms of selection it is now only one small part of the overall selection process.

When the crews arrived at Putney ,Oxford immediately became the favourites and they remained so until Boat Race day. This was a fine cold day with a cold north-north-east wind. Oxford won the toss and chose Middlesex.

Cambridge went off at the faster rate and went briefly into the lead, but this was very short lived and by the end of the first half mile, Oxford had not only overtaken them but had gone ahead, leaving clear water between the crews.

From there on Cambridge got shorter and more ragged as the dark blues moved further ahead. Eventually when Oxford were about 6 lengths ahead, the steamers closed round Cambridge and the combined effect of their drag sucked them back leaving Oxford to complete the course in a time recorded as 24 minutes 40 seconds, the tide by then being completely slack, to win by 30 seconds