Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-29
NO. 23l.
entertainments.
ALADY'S SEVEN MILES, SWIM.

The London Standard Of Sept. 6, has the
following: Miss Emily Parker, whose
age is stated to be only few months be-
yond that of Miss Beckwith, swan on Sat-
urday from London Bridge to Blackwell,
distance of seven miles. This young Ia
dy is, like Miss Beckwith. a professional
swimmer. a sis,2r Of Harry Parker. the
champion of London. Under her brothers
tuition, she, some four years ago, rapidly
learned the art Of which she is now 30
competent professor, and during the
time which has elapsed since then, she
has made public appearances in the ma
jority OF the principal English towns. A
few weeks back 1t was determined that
she should attempt to swim from London
Bridge to Greenwich, and an experiment
tai trip, which proved successful. was
made. In the meantime, however, Prot.
Beckwith persuaded his daughter to ac-
complish the feat, the first honors of which
others had hoped to reap. The effect of
this was. indeed, beneficial, for it induced
Miss Parker to swim further than was at
first designed. AT 5 o'clock on Saturday
afternoon river steamer conveyed the
heroine of the evening, with her brother
and large number Of intending specta-
tors, to London Bridge, the starting point.
Here many thousands had assembled the
river was alive with small craft, and the
decks and rigging of all the vessels with
in sight were covered with clusters of ca
ger lookers-on. The chartered paddle
boat stopped for few moments at the
Old Swan Pier, and then Miss Parker,
dressed in appropriate costume, descend
ed into wherry with her brother and her
pilot, Tom Eagleton. At once the boat
shot out into the stream, and having passed
under the bridge. waited for the steamer,
which in a short time was at hand. Then,
amid much cheering which Miss Parker
gracefully acknowledged. the young
swimmer plunged quietly into the Thames.
Preceding her was boat rowed by some
members of the River Police, who, as well
as they were able, kept the way free from
the obstruction of the seventy or eighty
wherries that crowded around in scene
OF indescribable confusion. Immediately
behind was the boat from which she had
leaped, and in which stood her brother
with all his natatory honors thick
upon him. 1t was at $3.50 o'clock
when the start was made. and at
6 ~ Limehonse Reach. which is halfway
to Greenwich, was attained. Miss Par
ker swims with remarkable ease, using a
vigorous breast stroke. At no point Of
her journey did she exhibit the slightest
sign Of fatigue, but on the contrary APP
peared rather to relish the excitement.
During the progress down the river pistols,
guns and small cannons were fired from
various points, and the sailors in the ships
cheered as the swimmer and the river mob
which followed went past. Eagleton very
skillfully reached his charge, taking adj
vantage Of every sweep of the tide and
bend of the river. At 5S Miss Parker
had arrived opposite Greenwich Pier,
though on the distant side of the river, so
that the several thousands of persons who
were waiting along the embarkment in the
expectation of seeing the swimmer pass
had to content themselves with
with cheering while the black patch on the
water rapidly dritted in the gathering twi-
light toward Blackwell. Miss Parker ac-.
complished her journey in one hour and
eight minutes. At :25 1-2, it being then.
with the exception of the half-obscurea
light of the moon, almost dark. Miss Par
ker arrived opposite Blackwali pier. For
some distance during the latter portion oil
her journey from Greenwich she had the
company of her brother in the water. The
young lady, at the end OF her journey, was
taken on board the steamer in vivaciOus
mood. She was very enthusiastically
cheered, and a subscription was immedi-
ately raised among those on board upon
the suggestion that the plucky little SWIM
mer should be presented with gold med
al. In few minutes after retiring Miss
Parker reappeared on deck, where She re-
manned during the journey to the city,
The time occupied in swimming from Lon
don Bridge to Blackwell Pier was alto
gether h. SIM. sos. II is said that Miss
Parker. upon some future occasion, will
endeavor to swim much greater distance
than she did on Saturday. As the result
OF this feat it is intended to hold an anna
teur swimming match from London Bridge
to Greenwich in fortnight.