The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-15
"a Little Duck.n
MISS BECKw1rH's ,FIvE-MILE SWIM FROM LONDON
49,. BRIDGE TO GREENWICH. -

MISS BECKwIrH's FIvE-MILE SWIM FROM LONDON
81. BRIDGE TO GREENWICH. -
From the London Standard Of September 2
A young girl named Agnes Alice Beck
with, daughter Of the professor of swim.
ming ut Lambeth Baths, yesterday accom-.
pl:shed the difficult feat Of swimming from
London bridge to Greenwich. The distance
is rather more than five miles, and the time
was remarkably fast nsmely. In. 7n. 45s.
Mr.. Beckwith has been connected with the
Lambeth Baths for nearly quarter of GEN.
fury. and for fourteen years held the Proud
position Of champion swimmer OF England.
The heroine of yesterdays proceedings is but
fourteen years old, Of slim make and diminu-
tive statue. The object was to decide a
wager of ESQ to E40 laid against her by Mr..
Baylis. the money being deposited With
BePs Life. The event created great deal
of excitement, and all along the route the
progress Of the ewimmer was watched by
excited crowds on the wharfs and barges.
10 addition TO the Lendon Steamboat Com
pany'S Fokanteer, private steam launch,
and rowiug.boat containing her father, the
referee, and some half-doZen others imme-
diately interested in the result, perfect
swarm of boats accompanied, and indeed inn
peded, the swimmer the entire distance.
London bridge was crowded, as were the
vessels and other points whence a view Of
the start could be obtained.
Miss Beckwith dived from the rowing
boat at nine minutes to 5, and at once COM
menced rapid side stroke, which she main
tanned to the finish. She was attired in a
swimming costume of light rose pink lima,
trimmed with white braid and lace Of the
same color. The water was very smooth
and the tide running about three miles per
hour. Swimming about couple OF yards
in the rear of the referees boat; Tunnel Pier
was reached at eleven minutes past 3. At
Horseferry Dock t5:22) salute was fired
and the swimmer was encouraged with
lusty cheers. The Commercial Dock was
quickly left behind, and soon after the Hill
da, on her return from Margate, crowded
with eXcursionists, passed the flotila. Pass
ing MilIwaIl Miss Beckwith crossed to the
north side aud took advantage Of the strong
tide. At this point she was met by the So.
loon steamer Victoria, whose passengers
were yociferous in their applause. The
Foreign Cattle Market at Deptford
was breasted at twelve minutes to 6,
aud as Greenwich Hospital appeared in
sight the intelligence was conveyed to the
swimmer by repeated cheers, salute being
also fired from the Unicorn. The pier st
Green wich and the grounds Of the ship were
crowded with people, who cheered to tue
echo when the spirited strains of "See, the
Couauering Hero Comes" announced the
success of the attempt. Miss Beckwith swan
some distance beyond the pier, aud was taken
on board at Sd. 5Sm. 45s., having accom-
plished the distance, as stated above, in 1h.
TN. 45s.
She seemed almost as fresh as when she
started, and to all appearance was capable of
going considerably further. 1t is worthy Of
mention that this was Miss Beckwith's first
essay of the sort, if we except trial trip on
Monday from Battersea 10 Westminster.
Her nearest approach TO the present feat was
Il swim of two and half miles In the Lam
beth Baths in three.quarters of an hour.