The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-25

this position. stin little breeze wal
blowing, and, soon as tho sail wa
rugged, which was done without MS getting out o
the water, he called for cigar, lit II. and again
struck out. the little sheet instantly filled ana
commenced pulling him along IN fine style, max
Ing very appreclable difference In HIS rate or
speed
At six O'CLOCK we were or Goodwin Sands q lit
tie short OF the point that ID had been planned TO
reach. The tide now commenced turning, and We
were soon Running down the Channel under
light, favorable breeze, but nasty sea
and thickening weather. Nearly in the middle
OF the Channel there - sand bank called tne
"Ridge," or by the French the Colbart which
splits the current in two, throwing one alcng tns
French coast and the other along the English
1t was, OF course, the intention OF Boynton and
the pilot to get into the French current, but.
either because the swimmer did not get lar enough
to the east, with the tide running out, or Whax
seems more probable, because the pilot, owing To
the thick weather, which hid both the French ana
English coast, missed bis reckoning. they
were swept down the English side of the ..Ridge,"
and all cnance OF reaching the French coast be-
fore nlpht was lost Boynton resoluIely attacked
this ridge, hoping to get over II and reach the
French current IN time. II proved TO be
A TERRIBLE STRUGGLE.
The sea here was roaming and iumbling aoous
In a fearful way for the swimmer. IL not q
regular roll or swell but short, quick, choppnR
waves, tumbing about in all directions. thai
whled the swimmer round and rounu rolled
HIM over ana over, rendered his puny sail utterly
useless ana blinded him with loan and spray.
1t was a strangely fascinating spectacle to watch
the swimmer in his hand TO hand struggle with
the ocean. The waves seem TO become living
things animated by O terrible hatred for the
strange being battling with them. Tney roll and
IN W
him and howl around him. Sometimes they seem
to withdraw Tor a moment, as II by concert,
and then rush down upon him from all
sides, roaring like wild beasts. They seize
him around the neck and drag him down,
graphing under sne water and strangllng MIN
until. like O giant athlete. lie snakes them on, aud
appears again triumphant on the top. as they
rush or howlng. For two hours the struggle
continued during which time he did not MAKE
more than a mile, but at last he came on VIC
torious. and reached the current running along
the French coast, where the sea, although nasty
was not so uniayoraole. But II war
now one O'Clock, and, instead OF being
several miles sousn OF Boulogne, ~
he had hoped. he was almost opposite
and the current had already turned again 10 the
north, thus carrying him far past the place. He
determined. however, TO push on and endeavor 70
lana at Cape Grisnez ABOUT ten miles north of
Boulogne. He did not seem tired, although no
nad eaten nearly nothing since taking 10 the
water. he now
LIT ANOTHER CIGAR,
which he managed 10 smoke, and altogether
seemed much happier than we who. in the dirty
old tug, were waliowing about In the trough OF
the sea, most OF US horribly seasicE. There was
plenty 60 eat ana drink on board. but there
were few OF US In condition TO take food; the
weather grew rainy, foggy. cold and miserablei
the thick black smoke from the snokestacks set
tied down over us and slcEened US; and
altogetner, there was probably never morc
wretcned set OF beings han the press delegation
on board that tug. Boynton WORKED steadily
forward, but the pilot began to grow anxious. Is
was evident that the swimmer would not make
the French coast before dark. and he expressed
his determination TO push on all night II necessary.
But the weather was growing thicker and thicker.
we being at times unable to see more than quarter
mile from the ship, and as we had not seen land
for hours. it impossible TO tell where we were.
The wind and sea were both rising promising \
bad night IL would be impossible 10 follow the
swimmer In the darkness and log. We would in
evitaoly lose him. and II he should miss cape
GrisneZ, ne would he carried up into the North
Sea. At length, toward six O'Clock, tns
pilot declared that he would not be
responsible for the safety OF the SHIP.
so near the coast in the darkness aud fog. Tns
Captain was OF course. unwilling TO risk mis- ship,
q general council was held or every one on board,
and 1t was decided that the attempt would have
to be given up. Captain Boynton and his brother
who on the tug. both protested against this
resolution In the most energetic manner. Ths
former maintained nls ABILITY to nnisn his UNDER
taxing, declaring that no was not in the least
fatgued. and 20 prove Il swan rapidly around tns
ship.
IL waa a~rnnd nnwavar thos ha had snornnohlv
demonstrated his ability to crGss the Channel. and
that IL would be Jolly TO rsk the SHIP the liie OF
everJ body on board, as well ~ the swimmer ~
cruising along the coast all night In the fog and
darkness. He At last, therefore, agreed 10 come
aboard and give IL up, maintaining, however. nia
ability 10 stay Ia the water Gil nlgbt. Iswas lust
nalipast ak sclocS when ne SCI ioot on TOE deck
OF the tug. after having been little more taan
nneen hours in toe water.
He undressed ana was Immediately Examined
By the doctor who was on board. lie found tue
temperature OF his body ONLY degree lower tnan
when he went overheard Hls puae, however.
was eighty, and feeble, WHOA would os psrsly
accounted TOT BY the TACT that nc had been suasr
ing from diarrhna Tor two or three days pre-
viously. Is was the opinion OF the doctor
that ne might nave stood SIX hour
longer in the water without damage Tns
head OF the tug was instantly ,urnss
toward the French coast aud In q lew minutes Va
sighted cape Grisnez, whom We went ABOUT foi
BouIogne. AS nearly az could DO made out after
ward we were ABOUT ave miles nom the French
coast waen Boynton came aboard. 80 that he fulIy
DEMONSTRATED mrs ABILITY
70 accomplish the feat. Tho course made nom
Dover was east past the Goodwin sands, then
south on the English side OF the Ridge"
when ne crossed at IT'S southern ex.
tremlty, then east again toward cape Grisnez,
making the distance traversed about dirty miles An
length. IL Is certainly o remarkable feas. and
fully demonstrates the efficiency OF the life drsss
have no doubt that II the proper route had besn
taken ne would nave accomplished tue passage IN
twelve houia
Upon arriving in BouioRne the business OF land.
ing was 40 badly lnismansged ~ the pilot that Sns
whole press delegation was lett outslat
tns harDor on tue Tug until one o'cloca