The Boat Race 1885

[7] There is no record of who coached Cambridge, who were seriously disrupted in the build-up to the race, with Edric Wolseley Haig contracting mumps, J. C. Brown breaking a floating rib and William King Hardacre being introduced to the crew days prior to replace him.

Similarly, Oxford saw four former Blues return, with Douglas McLean making his third appearance and rowing with his brother Hector for the first time.

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

Although Oxford made the better start, Cambridge held a half-of-a-length lead by the time the crews passed the Craven Steps.

[15] Approaching Barnes Bridge, the Dark Blues had to avoid a skiff, allowing Cambridge to come back at them, before pushing on once again on to win by 2+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 21 minutes 36 seconds, and took the overall record to 23–18 in Oxford's favour.