Boat Race timepiece sinks at auction
A clock made out of a rowing boat used in a 19th century Oxbridge Boat Race has sold for just half its presale estimate. The timepiece, which is made out of Oxford University's winning boat from the 1885 race, sold for only £360 despite being expected to sell for between £700 and £1,000, according to the BBC.
Standing at 5ft 10ins, the clock was built by the teammates of a rower that had to pull out of the race 125 years ago because of illness.
James Stratton, from Bonhams, told the news provider: "The story goes that the day before the race William King fell ill.
"In the real spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, his team mates took the clock and they put the clock movement in the cut up boat."
The first Boat Race was in 1829, with the event happening annually since 1856, with the exception of the two world wars.
Current champions are Oxford, who will defend their crown against their old foe at this year's race on April 3rd.
