they fouled, through the leader returning to the vacated water, the leader lost; if through the sternmost boat catching the leader in the 'captured' water, then the pursuer lost. Also, under the old code, a foul, however slight, lost a race, if one boat was in its right and the other in its wrong course at the time. If both were in the wrong, the foul did not count.
This code led to many a wrangle over fouls. It also opened the door to sharp practico—e.g. a leader might cross an opponent, by dint of pure speed; and then, being in his 'right' water, by dint of having crossed with a 'clear lead,' the leader might 'accidentally' shut off speed, before the boat behind had time to change its course. This forced on a foul, and the leader could then claim his pound of flesh, and the race. An umpire had no discretion in the matter.
In 1872 a meeting of leading amateurs drew up a new code. This code was put in force at the Thames watermen's regattas, governed by amateurs. In time Henley adopted them, as did all leading regattas. Watermen for some time had a liking for the old code and its facilities for 'win, tie, or wrangle' in a match, but as time passed on the new code gained ground, and gradually the old one became obsolete. The late Mr. John Graham Chambers, C.U.B.C., was the leading spirit in this reform.
The revised code is now part of the creed of the Amateur Rowing Association, of which mention has already been made. These rules are now appended. The Henley executive publish as similar code, but differently numbered. Rule 15 is more of a regatta rule. It is usually waived in sculling matches, and in the Wingfield Sculls for the amateur championship its operation is, by order of the parliament of old champions, suspended.
The Laws of Boat-racing as approved by the
Amateur Rowing Assocciation.
1. The starter, on being satisfied {hat the competitors are ready, shall give the signal to start.
2. If the starter considers the start false, he shall at once recall