MEASUREMENT OF OARS ROWING.
On this matter there is now a great divergence of opinion amongst rowing men. From 1891 inclusive up to the present year, the Leander crews have, with trifling divergences, rowed with oars built on the following measurements :— ft. inq (I) Length over all . . . . . . . 12 o (2) Length in-board, i.e. measured from rowing face of bottom to end of handle . . . . 3 8 [Note.—In some cases an extra half-inch was added, which would make the length over all 12 02] ft. ins.
(3) Length of button from top to bottom, measured in a straight line o 3f (4) Length of blade measured over the arc of the scoop. . . . . . . . 2 7 (5) Breadth of blade [Note.—These are what are called square blades, i.e. the widest part came at the end. Barrel blades are those in which the widest part comes about the middle. In 1893 an extra half-inch was added out-board. In 1896 the length of the Leander oars over all was only ir ft. 111 ins., the in-board measurement being 3 ft. 8 ins. With these oars the Leander crew defeated Yale, and in the next heat, after a very severe struggle, rowed down and defeated New College, who were rowing with oars three inches longer out-board. Here are the measurements of the oars with which the Eton crew won the Ladies' Plate in 1885— ft. ins.
Over all . . . . . . . . . 12 6 In-board ...... . . . 3 7 Length of blade . . . • . . . 2 5 Breadth of blade near shank . . . . . o 62 7, „ at end . . . . . . o 5 (These blades were "coffin "-shaped on a pattern invented by Dr. Warne.)] Measurement of Oars of Oxford Crew, 189o.
ft ins.
Over all ...... . • . 12 3k In-board . ..... . . . 3 81 Length of blade . . 2 7 Greatest breadth . . . . . . o 61 (These were barrel blades.) In 1896 the Oxford crew rowed with oars measuring 12 ft. 2 ins. over all, with a leverage of 3 ft. 84 ins., and blade 6 ins. broad. With these, it will be remembered, they rowed down and defeated Cambridge, after a magnificent struggle, by two-fifths of a length, Cambridge using oars measuring some 3 ins, longer out-board. It will thus be seen that short oars have a very good record to support them—especially over the Henley course. This year, however, a reaction took place at Oxford in favour of longer oars with narrower blades. The Oxford Eight of this year rowed with oars measuring 12 ft. 6 ins.
over all, the extra length being, of course, out-board, and their blades were cut down to a breadth of 5i ins. They were, by common consent, a very fine crew, but were unable to command a fast rate of stroke, and in the race against an inferior crew they hardly did them selves or their reputation justice. This pattern of oar was used by New College at Henley, the blades, however, being further cut down to 51 ins. In the final heat of the Grand Challenge Cup, they met Leander, who were rowing with 12-ft. oars. Leander, rowing a considerably faster stroke, at once jumped ahead, and led by a length in three minutes. New College, however, came up to them, still rowing a slower stroke, then picked their stroke up, and, after rowing level with Leander for about 25o yards, finally defeated them by 2 ft. The result of this race cannot be said to have settled the question as between long oars and short. In the Stewards' Fours, on the other hand, Leander, rowing with oars measuring 12 ft. in. over all, and blades 51 ins. in breadth, defeated New College, rowing with 12 ft. 6 ins. oars, and blades of 51 ins., the leverage in both cases being 3 ft. 8i ins. The advocates of the long oar main tain that they secure a longer stride, and are thus able to economize strength by using a slower rate of stroke. Those who favour the shorter ones believe that the extra lightness of their imple ment enables them to row a faster stroke without unduly tiring themselves. Personally, I found, after trying the experiment several times, that Leander crews I have coached invariably rowed better and commanded more speed in practice with 12 ft. to 12 ft. i in. oars than with oars 3 ins. or 4 ins. longer.' It must be remembered, finally, that men, as well as measurements, have something to do with the pace of a crew, and that style and uniformity count for a good deal. The advocates of long or short oars will always be able to explain a defeat sustained by one of their crews by alleging causes that are totally unconnected with the measure ment of the oars. On the other hand, such is their enthusiasm, they will attribute the victory of their crew entirely to their favourite pattern of oar.
used riggers shorter by 2 ins. than those now in use. Their blades were not quite 6 ins. broad.