The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-15
Extraordinary and Daring swimming Feat.
icork Examiner. Oct. al

been mentioned to Ms by Mr.. John N
jackson, an American passenger who ha
just landed from the National Company,
steamer Queen. Mr.. jackson informs n
that there was on board the Queen at he
departure from New York Captain Pau
Boyton, of the New Jersey Coast Guard
Atlantic City, a professional diver. Thi
| gentleman has been in the habit of exhibit
ing lately, at New York, q. s., and othe
places, the effects of a swimming apparatus
the invention of Mr.. C. s. Merriman. i
is dress of india rubber, like diving cos
tune IN appearance, except that instead Of
| the helmet is a sort of cssque, which leaves
the face uncovered. The dress is capable
OF Initiation through five tubes, and capable
| of sustaining weight of 300lbs., exclusive
of that of the wearer. Attached to it is a
bag with the capacity of 50lbs. to carry
an axe such as the American firemen use,
and a knife, as a defence against sharks.
His mode of propulsion is by a paddle
somewhat like that of the canoe. When
the Queen had made distace of two or
three hundred miles from New York, the
owner OF this dress prepared to jump over
board with the intention of swimming back
to the American shore. The captain, how
ever, not having the same confidence in the
apparatus as the owner, refused to permit
1t. Bot by the time the ship had approach
ed the Irish coast Captain Boyton, by the
force of his explanations and the testimo-
malls he had received, appeared to have
succeeded in comm unicating larger
amount of belief in his capacity to do what
he undertook. On Tuesday night, at $50
P. NJ, at two and a half miles from Cape
Clear and five miles south of Baltimore, the
ship was stopped, and in presence of two
hundred passengers, Captain Boyton jump
as he plunged into the waves, which were
then heavy. rs the breeze at the time
amounted to half a gale. "All right. cap.
tain ~ he called, as the ship forged ahead.
- All right" he cried again as he was left
behind. ALI right captain" he shouted,
go on I" as the ship left him behind. The
captain gave orders to go ahead at full
speed, and in a moment the daring adven-
turer was lost to sight.
Wednesday Evening, S'clock-Ihe hero
of the above extraordinary feat arrived in
Cork yesterday evening, having safely ac-
complished his novel task. When be left
the Queen, on Tuesday night, he was fully
equipped in his india-rubber suit, having
three days provisions. He was near the
Fastnet Rock at the time, and made direct
to land, but in half an hoer a very heavy
gale came on; indeed it was one of the
heaviest gales we have had for some time.
The wind almost took away the swim
mers breath, the rain came down in
and the tide setting against HIN,
carried him out to sea again i1 snite 81
his most vigorous efforts. He appears
to be man of dauatless courage, recall |
ing Horaee,s description of the first sailor, |
'a man with heart of oak and three-fold
Brass" and all through the hours of dark
ness and hideous peril be lsept padding
steadily onward, never losing bis presence
OF mind for moment Once heavy sea |
wrenched his paddle from his hand. bu:
after swimming about for a second he re- |
covered it. Captain Boyton is very much |
accustomed to surf swimming and to long |
swims, but never before did he get 80 sea- |
sick, or, indeed, sea-siek at ali until yes
terday morning, when pitching about
among the heavy mass of waters He can
make about four miles an hour in the WA |
ter, and at about O'Clock yesterday morn |
ing he first sighted LAID. 1t was the rock
oonnd coast east OF Baltimore, where the |
dea OF the heavy sea on may be gathered
rom the fact that at one moment having
nounted on the top Of huge wave he
,eemed to be ON a level with the cliff. tops.
the next instant he was hurled down into
IN abyss of hundred feet, shnS in by high
VANS OF waeeT. In this frightful manner
10 was tossed about for more than an hour
when he perceived a sort of an opening in
he coast wall, and for this he made. IL
proved to DO Prefaska Blight, to the east
md south OF Baltimore, and was almost the
'nly Inlet that swimmer could with safe
y oASOA' <AVVuO IOuE U CLOCK In the NOM |
ng be was close to the Blight, when he was
'track by several seas in succession and
anded high and dry, after being seven
ioars In the water and swimming over
hirty miles, feat unparalleled in modern
lmes. The machine behaved admirably,
nd he was perfectly dry, bis face being
he only part of his body exposed to the
waves. He got to SkibbeTeen during the
aorning, and there posted number OF
etters which had been entrusted to him by
ONE of the passengers on the Queen, and
70 came on to Cork in the evening. Capt.
'oyton is we'll developed, exceedingly
'oWerfnl looking man, and is thoroughly
sailor in his manner. His visit to this
ountry was entirely unintentional on his
art, yet before he leaves he intends to
xhiolt some experiments in the presence
4 Cork audience. On his return to the ,
tates he will carry out his original inten- |
ION OF jumping overheard at $50 miles i
rom land and swimming TO New York or
.ong Island. Capt. Boytou's experiments, /
as successful as up to the present, may
evolutionize local maritime excursions. 7