Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-04-23
From the Boston Post.
PAnl R0yntnn

The new product is the "amphibious
man." and his name stands at the
head of this article. He dons the title
of Captain" probably by reason of
commanding his own craft. He is The
same individual who, a few months
ago, promised to leap from an ocean
steamer on its passage from New York
to Liverpool, and for the rest of the
transatlantic journey so shift for
himself. He kept his promise, too.
although instead of going over the
good ships side in mid-ocean he took
his chances not until he had reached
distance of twelve or fifteen miles from
the coast of Ireland, making the rest
OF his way to land in perfect safety.
He proposes TO himself some higher
purpose than merely to show how long
a human being may live under water,
eating, drinking and smoking during
the submersion; the ambition he cher
1shes is founded on use, and he would
demonstrate the practicability of
hfe-saving apparatus, in the form of an
India-rubbec suit, with continuation
and tnbes Theoretically sealed, that are
capable of imitation and holding the
simple secret of safety. On the 10th
inst. he crossed the straits from Dover
70 BouiOgne between 4:30 A. NJ. and
8:l5 2. NJ, or in about sixteen hours.
small steamer accompanied him,
from which was laid a telegraphic
cable that reported the progress which
was making The Boynton life-sav-
lug dress, or tunic, allows the wearer
to carry supply of provisions. with
rockets and other signal apparatus.
When the wind favors a small sail
may be set, nautilus fashion. The
propulsion is effected with a double
paddle. The whole outfit is of the
simplest character. The Queen has
witnessed the Boynton performances
in the waters OF Southampton, and Or
dered several similar suits for the
royal yacht.
The account of his voyage across
fails to state as to the experience from
saa-sickness, so it is not yet fully clear
whether the Bessemer ship saloon
is to be suspended in another form or
not. But of the capacity of this new
invention for saving life OF the water
no one can with reason be sceptical |
1t will assuredly bring the inventor
much fame and more profits. He will
be tossed in the blankets Of hospitality
In London for having done this peril |
Gus fifty miles of unpleasant naviga-
tion in safety, while the managers of
the Maritime and Fluvial Exhibition
in Paris are eagerly awaiting his arri-
val In order to make a sea-lIon of him |
there. The next interrogatory will be |
the watering places, the |
yacht regattas, and all similar summer
delights and recreations. What is to
be the probable effect of this new in |
vention upon them? An apparatus |
that permits peron not only to re-
main in the water at his pleasure,
but to migrate in that element |
any distance compatible with proper
provisioning and in almost any sea ex-
cept surf, may well be accounted not |
merely a successful rival to the sea- |
serpent, but to the seaside landlords |
and cottagers themselves. Every one
may now have his own seaside hotel |
and be his own yacht. acting inde-
pendently as landlord or skipper, ac-
cording to choice. 1t will be a mere
step from Cape May to Newport, or
from Narragansett P .er to Nahant and |
Downer's Landing. No danger from
drowning or explosion, but the whole
a safety affair with provisions on
board. Yacht and and hotel com bine6.
Wine cellar and cigar box handy. and
,orks drawn and lights furnished at
leisure. If anything of this sort is
he result of Capt. Boynton's work,
then he has revolutionized matters
and confused the elements. The least
suicide can don one of his
rubber tunics and go drown himself.
disappearance will multi
ply. and desertions occur on the high
seas