The men's coxless four was one of four rowing events on the Rowing at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme. Nations could enter up to 2 boats (total of 8 rowers).Official Report, p. 37. Four boats from three nations competed.
Competition format
The 1908 tournament featured two rounds of one-on-one races; with 4 boats in the competition, the semifinals were the first round. Semifinal losers each received bronze medals, so that all competitors earned a medal. The course was 1.5 miles in length, with two slight bends near the start and about halfway.Official Report, pp. 237–38.
Standings
Place Bow Rowers Stroke Nation 1 Collier Cudmore James Angus Gillan Duncan Mackinnon John Somers-Smith 2 Philip Filleul Harold Barker John Fenning Gordon Thomson 3 Gordon Balfour Becher Gale Charles Riddy Geoffrey Taylor Hermannus Höfte Albertus Wielsma Johan Burk Bernardus Croon
Results
Semifinals
Semifinal 1 The British four won by 2¼ lengths.
Place Bow Rowers Stroke Nation Time 1 Collier Cudmore James Angus Gillan Duncan Mackinnon John Somers-Smith 8:34.0 2 Gordon Balfour Becher Gale Charles Riddy Geoffrey Taylor (8:40.5)
Semifinal 2
Place Bow Rowers Stroke Nation Time 1 Philip Filleul Harold Barker John Fenning Gordon Thomson 9:04.0 2 Hermannus Höfte Albertus Wielsma Johan Burk Bernardus Croon Unknown
Final
Place Bow Rowers Stroke Nation Time 1 Collier Cudmore James Angus Gillan Duncan Mackinnon John Somers-Smith 8:34.0 2 Philip Filleul Harold Barker John Fenning Gordon Thomson Unknown
References
Sources