The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-23
THE GREAT Swimming MATCH.
Johnson Beats Coyle in an
Exciting Race.
COyle Suddenly Gives Out-Ten Miles and o
Quarter in Three Hours and Ten Minutes.
DETAILS OF THE RACE.

Johnson, champion OF the world ana Thomas
Coyle OF Chester, thirteen miles straight awav
for $1,000 side, took place this afternoon Al
Gloucester Point. Fully 10000 people lined tbe
shores in hopes OF Witnessing the hnlsh At Chester
where the start was made, at least 5000 peop,e
watched the con rest. The river during the whole
contest was covered with boats OF all sizes and
kinds from the large excursion barge to the
smallest skr decked with hsgs. presenting
beautiful scene OF brilliant color ana animation,
but also threatening TO in erfere with the by
crossing the course OF the contestants Nothing
occurred 10 mar the race, however, and although
the representative OF America was naturally the
favorIte, the Englis Imam received the lairest Of
fair play.
After q long delay both men were seen I'M
dressed, except as to swimming drawers, on
board the steamtug Amanda Powell, lying at tho
wharf at Chester. The crowd booted and cheered,
the tugs blew their whistles and crowded about
the pier at which tie Powen stood, ana swarms
o. small craft we're in every body's way. There
was some dispute between the men as to which
boat the start should be made rom and Johnson
objected TO what Coyie wore on his leg as pre-.
ventive OF cramps. This proved TO be piece Oh
oiled silk tied with eel skin, and Johnson re.
peated MS objections, and the wrapping
was removed. AT about haf-pasE one, after
prolonged shouting aud giving or orders
by all sorts OF authorized and UNAUTHORIZED
persons, the tugs aud small boats were finally
sufficiently cleared out or the way TO permit Of
reasonably good start. Johnson's judges were
DIR. Thomas Stelpagel, OF New York and James
| Gadsby, OF Philadelphia. They were to follow
| Coyle In small boat. Coyle's Judges, DR.. J. l..
NJ. Forward and Mr.. Thomas Berry, were in
small boat, the Hannah Mouder with the referee,
Mr.. Edward AcGetnean, OF Philadelphia, and
! they were TO keep up with Johnson, to see all
| fair. Two steamboats,, dozens of tugooats and
smaller craft were on hand containing thou.
sands Of people. Many wen known sport.
ing men were among the gathering. among
them Billy Edwards, Arthur Chambers,
O'Badwin, the Irish giant; Harry Hcken,
Frank Gormey and others. new agreement
had been drawn up between the men by which
the termination of the race was fixed at Gouces.
ter Point instead OF Philadelphia. 1t was also
agreed, on Coyle's earnest protest, that the pri
vate boat TO follow each man, containing the
judges, should not approach nearer than Ave
yards; that 1t should never lead MIN, but always
follow, ana that no other boat should come nearer
than fifteen yards. Coyle did not insist on his
original demand that each man should exhibit his
hands and feet every twenty minutes to guard
against the use OF swimming stockings or other
propelling contrvanees. OIL
THE START.
The men plunged into the water at AS Ar.
thur Chambers and Frank Gormley acting as
starters. A fair start was mad, and both touched
the water at the Same Instant Johnson immedi-
diatey went to the front, Keeping to the left or
Pennsylvania shore. Coyle took a course toward
the easterly SIDE or Jersey shore. He struck out
with strong stroke, and in three minutes was
ahead OF his adversary, swimming thirty five to
the minute. Johnson headed for the western
channel, With q steady stroke OF twenty-five TO
the minute, Coyle making for the outside or east
ern channel. Johnson followed IRON the first
what Is called the inside channel. between Ches-
ter Island and Tinicum Island and Lazare ito.
This Is shallow water and said to be full
OF whlrls and eddes. Bostmen say that
the water here is very BAD, and that
the tide turns an hour sooner than In
the main channel or that followed by Covlo John
son swan almost con tinuously on his right SIDE.
turning occasionally to his left. He was followed
closely by q small boat containing his trainer, y
pilot and a man pulling the boat. AS the start
but was hauled In again Coye forged ahead, and
was seen In the lead later In the race. Coyle was
SAID % have better knowledge sof tho river and
It's tides than almost any other waterman. About
sight OF each other around tine point OF Tinicum
Island. cSyle, apparently, twenty yards ahead:
Johnson was opposite the Lazarretto pier, Jour
miles from Chester. At four O'Clock he had gained
the lighthouse, nine miles from Chester. He
changed his course 10 the northeastward having
passed Chester Island, Tnicum Island and the
Two sisters; and, havlng clear water 10 Gouces-
ter Point, Coyle was then about half mile anead;
and Johnson. upon learning this, qulckened his
stroke.
coYLE wEAKRNs.
Meantime Coyle, although ahead, had gradually
slackened mis- pace and began showing signs OF
distress. When asked how no felt ne replied.
BADLY" and his boat kept close alongside.
gan cheering This gave him momentay encour.
! agement and strength, but he was plainly logged
I naIa IN A
showed such manifest exhaustion that he was
dragged on board the boat with his
pilot. AT this time he was oppo-
having swum this distance IN two Dours and 3
half Coyle had reused TO take anything to drink
gave out. Johnson had been drinking small
glass Of whiskey at Intervals or about ten or 1f
teen minutes during the race.
C0YLE'S FAILURE
The news OF Coyles failure was brought to
Johnson within q few minutes after It's occur
renee. The men were AZ this time hall mIle
apart, and owing to the swarms OF crafts OF all
Kinds with which the river was covered, IL was
impossible TO sec what mad taken place. rhc
news gave him great ENCOURAGEMENT and amid
the cheers OF the spectators, Johnson shot
ahead with some wonderfully strong hand over
hand strokes, which gave him such an impetus
shat he shot forward with an astounding squirt.
BY this time the tide had turned and was just be-
ginning to run down stream. Gloucester was
about three miles away. At 1865 the referee de-
JOHNSON HAD WON
the race by distancng his competitor, ne was
taken on board his BOAT the steam whistle
screeching a salute and the crowd cheering. he
did not seem, by outward signs, tne least Ia
ttgued and expressed himself as VIKING 70 con-
was taken on board he mad swan about ten miles
and quarter IN tHree hours and ten minutes.
| great deal OF money changed hands on the
result, Johnson being the lavorite.