In 1865 there had been a long correspondence between senior members of each university concerning eligibility to row in the Boat Race, which has recurred periodically over the years.

It was still rumbling on early in the 1866 training period, when Oxford and Cambridge oarsmen met and agreed that no-one should row after their fourth year, but 56 old Blues signed a protest against the ruling and since OUBC refused to ratify the compromise, the matter was left unsolved.

Similar disagreements about eligibility still boil up from time to time, some 125 races later.

The new Cambridge President Robert Kinglake did not have a happy selection period for two old Blues decided not to row.

However he still had three old Blues to support him and John Chambers managed to coach them into a reasonable crew with Charles Lawes as a capable stroke. Nor was life easy for the Oxford President Meredith Meredith Brown, but the Dark Blues’ problems were more the result of wretched weather for a substantial portion of the training period.

There were also three old Blues in addition to the President available to Oxford, but they were lucky to take in a very promising stroke in Frank Willan, who was to win his four races.

For the third time running Oxford won the toss and, it was considered at the time, misguidedly chose Middlesex with a strong south-west wind and the potential trouble on the open side round the Surrey bend.

Once again steamers delayed the start until the tide was all-but at its peak. Cambridge stayed well out in the middle seeking any stream that remained, while Oxford sought shelter along the Fulham shore.

Although it was clear that Cambridge went into the lead initially, there was considerable divergence of opinion among the onlookers about whether the Light Blues were still ahead at Craven Steps and if so by how much.

It was not until opposite the Crabtree, when the crews converged when it was clear that Oxford had almost drawn level. However Cambridge moved ahead again and shot Hammersmith Bridge ahead.

Water conditions were now bad and the better watermanship of Oxford began to be effective, giving them a few feet lead as the passed the bottom of the Eyot and by Chiswick Steps the Dark Blues ahead. By the crossing they had clear water.

Shortly after this, any hope that Cambridge might have, was destroyed by their cox. A barge cut right across his course but he attempted to pass in front of it and only just avoided disaster by a dramatic turn right off the true course and by the time he was back on course, Oxford were almost 3 lengths ahead. (Charles Tottenham the Oxford cox in 1865, had ducked neatly under the stern and gained several feet.)

Oxford rowed on from there with no change in distance between the crews and their win was adjudged as 4 lengths in 23 minutes 35 seconds