National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-05
STRUGGLING WITH TIE OCEAN
PAUL BOTTOMS ADVENTURE ON THE
IRISH COAST.

PAUL BOTTOMS ADVENTURE ON THE
IRISH COAST.
CORK. ICELAND, Oct. n 1874.
When It was announced in this city this morn.
ing that an American seaman had, in the gale Of
Tuesday night, jumped overheard from trans
atlantic liner and, after swimming for seven
hours had landed on the Skibbereen coast, peo-
pie, while gate prepared to give Americans
credit for doing big things, were Jet unprepared
for such a demand on their credulity as this. The
thing, however, was done, and the hero OF 1t was
CAPTAIN PAUL POTION.
Of the New Jersey Lfeguards, Atlantic City.
This gentleman, q professional diver Of we'll
known daring, leit New YORK about fortnight
taking with HIM patent swimming costume, 1t
was Captain Boyton's intention whom from two
to thee hundred miles distant from New York to
Jump overheard and swim back, but the COM
mAnder of the steamer was man Of little faith
and vetoed the experiment. Captain Boyton
ger until the vessel approached the Irisk coast on
Tuesday evening, when the commander, having
been repeatedly importuned, gave his permission.
DOWN INTO THE DEEP.
Captain Boyton drew on his India rubber air.
tight suit and Inflated the air chambers in his air.
tight sack he placed food for three days, q CON-
pass, bullseye lantern, some books (Iust to be-
guile the time on the water some signal rockets
and United States flag. In HIS inside pocket he
placed 8 mail which the passengers had given to
him TO post, he strapped Els bowie knife and axe
70 DIS sue, 1lQ tTd6plhk pdu0le was lOW6Eeu
into the water, amid the cheers Of the passSn-
gers, At $50 O'Clock p. m.
IT WAS WILD, DARK NIGHT,
he was close to the Fsstnet rock, with Cape Clear
three miles from him, and Baltimore, toward
which he intended TO make, was in q direct line
seven miles away. He lay On his back padding
vigorously, and now the lights OF the vessel were
lost in the night. In quarter Of an hour more
his spirit almost quailed, when tossed high on
the crest Of a wave he could no longer see the
ceast line or any lights; The wind blew, the rain
poured down and the tide set dead against him.
BE WAS DRIFTING OUT TO SEA,
and, to add to the awful loneliness OF hIs situa-
ton and to increase the dreadful peril, violent
gale commenced. That night for many hours no
mailboat crossed the Irish Channel, and great
destruction was done on the coast. And through
these awful hours Of darkness this man was toss
ing about at the mercy Of the waves some fifteen
miles from land. The WindsEas so violent that
he had to give over padding, and with one hand
TO shade his face (the only part OF his body ex-
exposed) from the cutting blast. Once his paddle
was EreDehed away BY heavy sea, but IL fortu,
seconds wave would completely submergo him,
then he would shoot on to tine crest and take breath
before he was hurled down sioping mass Of water
which seemed one hundred feet TO the bottom.
As result Of this tossing
he BloAME sEAsIcK,
thing, he says, which never happened TO him
before. His indomitable spirit, however, con-
began TO blow directly on shore. His paddle was
Piled vigorously, and at o'clock on wednesday
morning he perceived he was near breakers, and
THE ROCK BOUND COAST
west Of skibbereen doomed up before him. His
danger now was not less than Il was during the
height Of the gale for asa wave would raise him al
most on level with the elih tops, he could dis
made his Wsy along parallel 10 the coast and for.
tunately lighted upon almost the only safe land
ing place for miles around. He saw an opening
in the cliffs and propelled himself cautiously to-
ward It. While hesitatingly examining the en-
trance q sea struck him, carrying him of; another
and another followed in quick succession, and, in
an almost senEeless state,
HE WAS HURLED HIGH AID DRY
upon the beach. Il was then four O'Clock IN the
morning, and be had been nearly seven hours on
the water, traYersing distance Of thirty miles.
ing Invested himself oft he stood quite dry In
his navy uniform, which he wore beneath. That
having been done he let of one Of HIS signal rock
cts without effect. ltshoWed him, however,
A MARROW PATH IN THE ROCKS.
Up this he eIambered and got on to a mountain
road, Which brought him to the eoast-guard sta
ton. He was Hospitality received there, and dis
covered that the place ne naa landed at was IRE,
Baltimore. During the morning he reached Skib-
bsseen and posted the letters intrusted TO him,
and arrived in Cork on W Wednesday night, whore
he is now the hero Of the hour. On Monday he
intends to
SWIM OUT OF QUEENSTOWN HARBoR
some distance; that will be followed the week
alter BY little swim across the Straits OF Dover
to Calais toWed by 4 kite; and 70 cap All, on his
return 10 the States he intends to carry out his
original idea Of jumping overheard at Two hun
bred and city miles from land and
SWIMMING TO EKW YORK
OF Long Island. After his achievements IN the
gale on Tuesday night these last-naued expert
menis, startling as they seem at drst, cannot be
regarded as impossible.
WASHING TON co OPERATIVE BUILD-
ING ASSOCIATION.
The seventh annual meeting OF the Washington
Building Association was held last
evening. The secretary submitted his annual
report, showing receipts tsl, bs7.e0 Disbursements
e7sT16l1.
The following officers were elected for the en-
suing year; President, DR.. y. Howard vice
president Thos. NOrfeet; treasurer, NJ. r. Gal
Ian: Fecretary, John y. Thompson. dirastors VIM.