This week we have added 127, 928 new pages to The Archive. We have four brand new titles from across the British Isles, including our second Jersey title, the French-language publication Nouvelle Chronique de Jersey. We also have a brand new title for Northern Ireland, the Strabane Chronicle, as well as two new London titles, the Pinner Observer and the Kingston Informer.

We also have updated seven of our existing titles. We have updates to two of our London titles, the Harefield Gazette and the Kensington Post, as well as one of our national titles, the Sunday Times. There are further updates to specialist Roman Catholic publication the Tablet, as well as to the Reading Evening Post, the Bolton Evening News, and the South Wales Daily Post.

Two of our new and updated titles this week cover the year 1912 – the Strabane Chronicle and the Sunday Times. And 107 years ago this March, one of the most dramatic annual boat races between Oxford and Cambridge took place on the Thames.

The Strabane Chronicle reports – ‘Never in the history of the English University boat race has there been such a remarkable contest as that which took place on Saturday. Both boats were waterlogged. The Oxford Crew landed, emptied their boat, re-embarked, and finished the course. From a launch the Cambridge crew watched the final performance of their rivals. The race was officially declared void.’

Strabane Chronicle | 6 April 1912

But what caused both boats to become waterlogged? The Sunday Times sets the scene nicely. On 30 March, the day of the race, at 9 am, the ‘sky was leaden-grey on the river and a filmy haze seemed to dim the distance. The day was a record day, with its ‘promise of spring’ and windless air…An hour later, however, a following-wind had asserted itself, and, on the twisting championship course, this meant squalls (literally). It was evident to most that the conditions were going to be abnormal.’

The race went ahead, with Oxford winning the toss and choosing the Surrey side. Oxford, the favourites, took the lead, whilst the Cambridge team were in ‘difficulties owing to the troubled waters. They stuck to it most determinedly…and actually rowed on till the water almost reached their waists.’

The Sphere | 6 April 1912

Indeed, some of the Cambridge team were forced to swim to shore, whilst the rest were picked up by other row boats. Meanwhile, ‘the Oxonians paddled merrily away.’ However, by Barnes Bridge, they too started to take on water, but they were able to cross the finish line, after having stopped to bail themselves out.

However, victory was denied to them, as a ‘no race’ decision was given. The Oxford team had gone ashore to bail out their boat, and it was believed that they had been assisted in this by spectators. The Sunday Times asserted that Oxford had been robbed by this decision, for they ‘were plucky enough to finish the course.’

The Sphere | 30 March 1912

Victory was not to be denied to Oxford, however, as the race was re-ran on 1 April, with Oxford comfortably beating Cambridge, this time without any vessel sinking.

NEW TITLES

UPDATED TITLES

This week we have updated seven of our existing titles.

You can learn more about each of the titles we add to every week by clicking on their names. On each paper’s title page, you can read a FREE sample issue, learn more about our current holdings, and our plans for digitisation.

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You can keep up to date with all the latest additions by visiting the recently added page.  You can even look ahead to see what we’re going to add tomorrow.