1879 Head of the River

1st Scotch College - Bow: William T Whan, 2: David Aitken, 3: Sampson J R Greville, Str: Henry C Elliot, Cox: Frederick J Edwards, Cch: John Wallace
2nd Geelong Grammar - Bow: W Manifold, 2: F L Armytage, 3: Stephen Fairbairn, Str: G M Smith, Cox: R A D Hood, Cch: James L Cuthbertson

GGS were the favourites for this race but Scotch College despatched them easily. The Melburnian Magazine reported that there had been some changes made to the MGS crew. "Numbers 2, 3 and bow of the original crew have had to give way, through illness, a strain and an abscess under the arm. Stroke, No. 3 and No. 2 of our second crew have filled their places, having retired one place throughout the boat."

The Australasian described the race as follows:

The umpire, Professor Irving, dismissed the two crews to a capital start, neither trying to gain any advantage. The Geelong, who rowed slightly the faster stroke, led out at first by a foot or two, but for the first half minute the boats remained almost dead level. Then the long steady, 38 a minute of the Scotch began to tell, and in another minute they had drawn their boat clear, and in three minutes had a length of daylight between the boats, Geelong appearing unable to quicken their stroke or improve their pace. The Scotch slowly and steadily improved their advantage, and though by easing off a little before the bridge, they allowed their antagonists to come up somewhat, still they shot the bridge fully two lengths in advance, and before reaching the winning-post increased the gap to four lengths, by which they won.

Other crews competing:
Melbourne Grammar - Bow: R Henderson, 2: A W Brazier, 3: F E Thonemann, Str: H P Barlow, Cox: Arthur Edwards, Cch: Mr F Spurling
Wesley College - Bow: G Stewart, 2: J W Parnell, 3: C A Macdonald, Str: A Turnbull, Cox: E K Cuths, Cchs: Prof H M Andrew & G H Brown

E1: 1st SC, 2nd WC, Time: 8:45.0. Margin: 3 lengths
E2: 1st GGS, 2nd MGS, Time: 9:00.0. Margin: 3 lengths

Melbourne Grammar Crew - Standing: H.P. Barlow (stroke), Mr F. Spurling (coach), A.W. Brazier (2). Sitting: F.E. Thonemann (3), A. Edwards (cox), R. Henderson (bow)

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar archives - cat. no. 6565

The Geelong Advertiser described the heats in the following manner.

First Heat
Scotch v Wesley

After a false start, Professor Irving got the two boats away. The Scotchmen had a little the better at the jump, but the Wesley rowing a ridiculously fast stroke soon gained and led at the corner, below the pontoon sheds. Thereafter the Scotch crew, who rowed in good style, drew up, and gaining all through the long reach, won hands down by three lengths.

Second Heat
GGS v MGS

The second heat between the Melbourne and Geelong Grammar Schools was almost counterpart of the first. The dark blues led at the first, but, like Wesley, after rowing three hundred yards at a preternatural pace, collapsed, and the Geelong School went up and won as they pleased. Nevertheless, the Melbourne boys rowed it out to the finish with their wonted resolution.

1st Wesley College - Bow: Stewart, 2: Permewan, 3: Tatchell, Str: Stephens, Cox: Hester
2nd Geelong Grammar - Bow: Payne, 2: Thomson, 3: Bayne, Str: Beamish, Cox: Telford

The Argus described the race as follows:

Wesley College, fortunate enough to win the toss, took the north shore, led at once, and gradually improved their position all the way down, and despite the lucky spurt of Beamish, won the race and the cups by half a length clear.

Other crews competing:
Scotch College - Bow: Austin, 2: Neave, 3: Cumming, Str: Adams, Cox: Edwards
Melbourne Grammar - Bow: Bucknill, 2: Pearson, 3: Hammond, Str: Chase, Cox: Edwards

Heats:
E1: 1st WC, 2nd SC. Margin: 2 lengths
E2: 1st GGS, 2nd MGS. Margin: 3/4 length