Rowing

by R. C. Lehmann

ditch above the Railway Bridge; also that the eighth boats have the option of stopping at the nearer or going on to the further post.

XV.—That each boat start with the coxswain holding a line 36 feet in length attached to its post (or, if he by chance lose the line, with No. 7's rowlock opposite the post); that otherwise it cannot make a bump, but is subject to be bumped and to be fined one guinea.

XVI.—That if a boat miss a race, the boat behind it shall row past its post and be allowed the bump, and that the boat missing the race be fined one guinea.

XVII.—That the boats be started by three guns: the first gun shall be fired when the head boat shall have arrived at its post, the order being given by the captain of that boat; the second gun three minutes after the first, and the last gun one minute after the second.

XVIII.—That a boat be considered fairly bumped when it is touched by any part of the boat behind it, before its stern is past the winning-post; passing a boat being equivalent to a bump, providing the passing boat draw its whole length in advance. (The word boat includes the ship, crew, and oars, if in rowlock). That the coxswain of a boat so bumped shall immediately acknowledge the bump by holding up his hand, and that the crew making the bump immediately cease rowing; that any crew neglecting this rule be fined one guinea.

XIX.—That when one boat bumps another, both shall immediately draw aside till the racing boats have passed; that the last boat carry a white flag in the bows; that any boat neglecting this rule be fined one guinea.

XX.—That if one boat bumps another they exchange places, whatever may have been their position before starting. That any boat making a bump may row up after the race with its flag hoisted; as also the boat rowing head.

XXI.—That in order to claim a bump, the captain, on arriving at the Goldie Boat-house, must bracket the bump, state where it took place, and sign his name on the secretary's list; if the bump be not bracketed he shall be fined one guinea, but that the bumps shall, on sufficient evidence, be allowed; and that no bumps can be claimed after six o'clock in the Lent Term, or after nine in the Easter Term, or disputed after nine on the following morning.

XXII.—That all cases of disputed bumps be referred to the president, or his deputy, and the four first-boat captains, in residence, of the clubs in their order on the river who are not concerned in the dispute, whose decision shall be final; and who shall have the power, in all doubtful cases, of causing the boats concerned to row the race again, starting from their original posts; and that there be representatives at the meeting of the clubs interested in the dispute.