The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-04-29
THE MODERN IEANDER.
Sketch of Paul Boynton, the Flatatorial
Champion---An Extraordinary
FishJ Career.

The New York Herald of the 18th had
ghe following interest ting account OF the
man who on Saturday last swan the
English Channel:
Captain Boynton, famous as pearl
diver, life saver AID man-iish in general
has been in Europe siace the early part
II last November, displaying the utility
of the 1ife-saving Cress which he used
yesterday. In this time he has given
frequent exhibitions il Ireland and
England, demonstrating to the satisfac
zion of the thousands Of spectators that
he is a man of courage and of great skill
RS swimmer. Mr.. BoYnton is not I'M
known here. He is an American, and
most OF his life since manhood has been
passed in this perilous business Of diving
IN which work he has no superior. On
the Jersey coast he has performed many
deeds Of daring, saving scores of bathers
who would have been lost in the surf at
atlantic City had not Boynton rescued
chem as they were drifting beyond the
reach Of human aid In one or two
seasons at the above summer resort he
is credited with rescuing from drowning
IN the neighborhood Of seventy persons,
Enen, woman and children. He was
employed as a member of the Coast
Guard.
Giving up this engagement in the fall
s8f last year, and having nothing of any
particular importance on hand, this re-
uarkable man decided to test the patent
swimming costume he now has in his
possession. After a few preliminary
trials, he became convinced of its prac-
sIcability and usefulness, but finding
that but few people believed it but little
else than one of the humbugs OF the
day, decided to introduce it in a novel
manner, at least, to say nothing of the
danger attending the experiment. It
WAS to take passage in one of the
European steamers leaving that port,
and when 200 miles from land, either
after leaving New York, or before reach
ing the other side, to drop overheard in
his dress and left to the mercy of the
waves. The inventor Of the saving suit
Ereedily grasped the opportunity thus
presented, and within two days all ar
raagements were made, and Boynton
sailed from pier No. a, North River, in
the National steamship the Queen, on
Saturday, October IL, 1874. He had
1ut little baggage with him, as at the
Last moment he decided to jump over
board when 200 miles outside of Sandy
Hook, and swim back to New York.
commander of the ship was man of
little faith and vetoed the experiment,
Boynton remaining on board an invol-
antary passenger. The dress taken
with him, and which he intended to use,
WAS simply rubber suit, or armor, of
peculiar pattern, containing compart-
m2ents, which were inflated at viii. Its
weight was but fifteen pounds, yet the
necessary articles required on the peril
GUS trip increased this avolrdupois.
Where were two dozen signal lights, two
pounds of cheese, six pounds of crack
<<s, one piece of bologna sausage, one
ax and one bowie knife for sharks, sig
mad flags, rockets, an extra suit of clothes
znd large double-bladed paddle with
which to propel himself. The crackers
sud cheese were no donht consumed be-
fore Boynton could venture upon his
kite trip. This at last he was enabled
10 do, by the permission of the captain
-af the Queen, as the vessel approached
the Irish coast.
1t was on the evening on the tenth
slay out and it blew a gale. Without
=ny unnecessary fuss, Boynton drew on