The Boat Race 1858

The 1858 race, disrupted by poor rowing and a collision with a barge, was won by Cambridge, who defeated Oxford by 7+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 23 seconds.

[10] Cambridge won the toss and elected to start from the Middlesex station, handing the Surrey side of the river to Oxford.

[13] The race commenced at 1 p.m. and almost immediately the Oxford boat club president and stroke J. T. Thorley "caught a crab"[14] which "completely brought their eight to standstill.

The boats were level at the Crab Tree pub but here Cambridge began to draw ahead and passed under Hammersmith Bridge with a length-and-a-half lead.

[16] The Light Blues continued to increase their lead and passed the flag-boat at Mortlake 7+1⁄2 lengths ahead of Oxford in a time of 21 minutes 23 seconds.