The 1914 Oxford Cambridge Boat Race
Created | Updated Apr 17, 2002
A little reported incident occurred on March 28, 1914. Dark storm clouds were gathering over Europe as nations prepared themselves for war.
King George V stood on the banks of the Thames with his wife Mary amidst the cheering throngs to watch the 71st Oxford Cambridge boat race. It had been an thrilling race; the lead had changed hands several times earlier, and the race could easily go either way.
Suddenly, an astonished gasp came from the crowd. Between the two vessels a German U-Boat had surfaced, engaged full-throttle and sped towards the finishing line.
An eerie silence fell over the crowd as the turret-hatch was thrown open and the boat's monocled captain stood saluting the crowds, as though to claim victory in this most British of events.
At the request of the Foriegn Office, the incident was "hushed up" by the press of the time, for fear of adversely affecting British morale.
The records show that Cambridge won by 4 1/2 boatlengths, completing the course in 20 mins 23 secs. Yet to all who attended it will always remain *that* boat race.
King George V stood on the banks of the Thames with his wife Mary amidst the cheering throngs to watch the 71st Oxford Cambridge boat race. It had been an thrilling race; the lead had changed hands several times earlier, and the race could easily go either way.
Suddenly, an astonished gasp came from the crowd. Between the two vessels a German U-Boat had surfaced, engaged full-throttle and sped towards the finishing line.
An eerie silence fell over the crowd as the turret-hatch was thrown open and the boat's monocled captain stood saluting the crowds, as though to claim victory in this most British of events.
At the request of the Foriegn Office, the incident was "hushed up" by the press of the time, for fear of adversely affecting British morale.
The records show that Cambridge won by 4 1/2 boatlengths, completing the course in 20 mins 23 secs. Yet to all who attended it will always remain *that* boat race.
