The New York herald., 1875-12-28
CAPTAIN PAUL BOYTON.
HIS SAFE ARRIVAL HoME-sToRY OF HIs AD-
VENTURES ABROAD.

HIS SAFE ARRIVAL HoME-sToRY OF HIS AD-
VENTURES ABROAD.
Captain Paul Boyton, Of swimming notoriety, has re-
turned 10 New York He arrived in this city yester
day morning on the White Star steamer Germania,
from Liverpool after passage OF eleven days against
head winds and rough weather. Since Captain Boyton
left England, at the end Of last August he has given
exhibitions Berlin Lake Wcisenzee and made
trip Of 400 miles the Rhine. He presented
silver cup and wreath by the city of Berlin and
the ladies of Weisenzee Previous his trip Ger
many MI. Boyton called at Paris, intending TO exhibit
his suit and the skill he possessed in its management
the Seine, but 1t was feared the exhibition would
be attended with loss of life by the falling into the river
or persons crowding along the quay. The Captain
offered to exhibit for the benefit OF the Inundaton
Fund, and recognition Of his pronered services and
generally acknowledged skill, the French Humane So
ciety presented the swimmer gold medal This gift
formally given to Captain Boyton by Marchoness
MacMahon, at the Presidents house Paris
After giving several exhibitions near Berlin the
swimmer TO stettin, where he gave exhibition
for the benefit of the shipwrecked Mariners Society
Then he went next to Basle, in Switzerland with the
intention OF taking long on the Rhine AT this
point 1t expected boat could be procured for
companying friends, but the current there found
rapid that it would be unsafe to venture in boat
so the guests went on 10 Inc zap
tain, however, started from Basic Eve o'clock
October morning though the river rushing at
tremendous rate. At the time there freshet
ming and the Captain thinks that for /.
time he must have gone the rate Of
twelve knots hour. About nine A. NJ
peculiar thick fog on, and the swimmer
had keep at fun speed, utterly unable TO
where he going Coming suddenly near high
bank, where some men were working he rose up and
sounded a horn he carried. This was intended for
friendly salute, but the workmen terrified, and
dropping their implements they rushed up the bank
get away from the strange looking monster in the
water. At tho swimmer found himself whirlng
round and round about in regular whirlpool BY
working steadily into the outer circles he contrived
after hall dozen revolutions to work into smooth
water and so moved on. Assistance coming in the
form Of boat sent out by Prussan officers, who
were experimenting the construction of pontoon
bridge by and the Captain effected his escape
One of tho chief difficulties of this novel trip on the
Rhine the shooting Of these pontoon bridges which
are made up of boats standing about FIVE feet apart
To avoid collision with these required little Skill
the current occasionally carried on the swimmer at
furious rate of speed. Whenever Captain Boyton in
the first part OF his travels spied in boat and
approached him with the view OF questioning him as
to his from place another the occupant
OF the boat invariably fed incontneny as If his ques-
toner sprte from the neighborhood of the
Black Forest, the old gentleman in person
for exercise. All the first day, until about eight NJ,
Captain Boyton kept the river making Strasbourg
at that tme after fifteen hours immersion. Here
slight accident occurred Near the railroad bridge,
which spans the Rhine at Strasbourg is a pontoon
tbe wmen diS Sot notice until contact
with one of its boats sent him under water.
At the time he struck the Captain was in the act Of
blowing his horn TO announce his arrival but his notes
were short by the collision which resulted in drv
ing him completely under the boat He soon came TO
the surface, however, comparatively unhurt and
sounded the
but when the Captain reached the shore large number
had gathered in expectation Of his arrival He
mraby received at Srasbourg beng feasted and dined
freely Here natboat was purchased and the guests
cd 10 accompany the swimmer on FRIDAY
afternoon at o'clock Captain Boyon entered the
water again and renamed until half past three o'clock
A. 81. the following sunday, making run Of lt5
miles to Mayence This fatguing
experience, the Captain says than the cross
ing Of the Channel At Mannheim and Worms
the swimmer was received with distinction. Cannon
were fred as he passed and the Mayor Of Worms
the river side to greet him and open bottle of
Lebraumch; American hags were hosted upon many
public and private buildings and waved from boats along
the river. great many telegrams OF congratuation
were received also 50 ran the story 70 The nnsh al
Cologne. fattering reception was everywhere ac-
Since this Rhine trip Captain Boyton has been visiting
at different points IN Belgium, Holland and Germany,
showing the dress, &c, in which his exhibitions
gwen The last exhibition he gave at Amsterdam
on this occasion Two employed TO break the
ice This was about December 2 and the swimmer
maned two hours In the freezing water. Alter this
time he concluded to run home and take a few months
rest prior to his return February He goes next TO
Vienna and intends to make general Continental
tour.
the writer inquired what was his opinion Of
his treatment abroad.
Captain BoYroS-well, / have been treated with
great kindness everywhere but the press and the peo
pie England especially gave very hearty reoep
ton IN the water was in the habit of exhibiting at
times the flags OF all nations; but when up the
American flag almost everywhere 1t was received with
ringing cheers From Turkey think shall 60
through the Canal to Bombay, thence 10 Austria
liza from there Siam China and japan, and return
home by way Of San Francisco.
REpoRrER-Do you intend 70 cross the Pacific In
Captain BoYroS Qaughingly)-oh mol That would
be little much. But may drop INTO the water
now and then by way Of variety.
REroRTER-Wil you give any exhibitions here be-
fore you startS
objection to give exhibition TO show the lrstfuu
to which this suit has been brought For the rsssntl
shall rest however believe the dress VITA a. the
means Of saving thousands OF lives when ts
generally known. ! spent good part OF my lie a.
Cape May and Atlantic City, and as a swimmer am
proud to say that saved seventy-one lives, In one
season saved fourteen lives at Cape May when was
seventeen years old That year got 5000 subscrip
/ tion.
4 ing lost about forty pounds during his exhibitions
Among the tokens Of recognition received by the Cap
tain abroad are the large gold medal Of the French
1 ciety gold medal from the city OF Dublin and
testimonial with the American flag and Dublin of
I arms worked in silk and Irish popin the Belgium Life
Saving decoration and gold medal the bronze medal
4 nj ceTmanv a silver medal from Amsterdam a wreath
of aures in frosted silver from the ladies OF Weisenzee
silver cup and pedestal from the city Of Berlin flag
and silver medal from Christ's Hospital London; the
London gold life saving medal, the London Herculean
and Leander Club medals the city Of Folkcstone gold
medal appropriately engraved piece OF plate from
Birmingham, handsome gold watch and cham from
Sir John Bennett and many other medals and gifts
While travelling Captain Boyton has made the sub
ect OF life saving every country his special study
Among the foreign life-sayng appliances the English
National Life Boat Institution stands foremost IN his
estimation and the French comes next The English
boats are models Of strength and beauty. Id rather
look at one OF boats than pretty lady said the
Captain Along the French beaches every appliance is
ready al band life saving and resusctaton, and the
services OF the humDest fisherman duly recognized,
so that bravery may be encouraged when danger is
near The Captain away sixteen months altogether
WATER FOR BAYONNE.