Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-06-24
Boyton's Successful Channel Trip.

BOytOn's Successful Channel Trip.
The London newspapers print copious
accounts of she crossing of the channel
on May &c. A brief report of the feat APP
pears in the London Echo. A correspond
ent of that journal, writing from Folke-
stone on May 30, says:
At very early hour this morning
Folkestone was abnormally excited by
the news which spread with lightning
rapidity that Capt. Boyton had effected
very successful landing Immediately
beneath the South Foreland Lighthouse
at ESQ. The fact was announced by the
firing of rocket from the boat OF the
steamer that had piloted him in his adj
venturous journey, and the loud cheer
ing of those on the steamers deck, as the
Captain was taken on board, testified to
the general enthusiasm and admiration
for his prowess. The cool determine
ton and astonishing powers of endurance
which were displayed by Capt. Boyton
throughout the journey were subjects of
marvel on the part of those who watched
him from the steamer When he emerged
from the water he exhibited very slight
symptoms of distress or fatigue. The
temperature of the body taken at
once by the medical gentlemen in at
tendance showed il to be but one de-
gree in excess of the average tempers-
ture of man in full health. The only
thing of which the Captain complained
was slight swelling of the wrist, caused
by the incessant labor of padding, and
his face was likewise somewhat sore, due
10 the action of the sun and salt water
during an immersiorof nearly twenty
four hours. The steamer arrived at the
landing stage at Folkestone at four
O'Clock, and from information there OBJ
tanned it appears that the time when
Capt. Boyton made most progress was
between six and seven yesterday even
ing, accomplishing in the hour mile
and three-quarters. While off Dover the
Wiltshire life-boat came alongside, and
the officer in charge said he had been in
structed by the National Institution IN
London to meet Capt. Boyton In the
channel, and in its name to wish him a
speedy and successful journey. Within
half an hour of his arrival in Folkestone
Capt. Boyton presented himself at the
breakfast.table OF the Pavilion Hotel,
where he was enthusiastically received
by large body of gentlemen who had
witnessed his wonderful performance
from the steamer. In acknowledgment
of the compliment paid him, Capt. Boy
ton said: al think | have fairly and
squarely crossed the channel from France
TO England, and the channel can, there
fore, no longer be said to be master OF
the situation" He then retired to rest
at the Pavilion.
Further particulars run as follows:
The course steered during the journey
was north-north. east-by-half-east, and
then north-north- bywest The most
tedious part of the journey was the
latter portion. The sea was then exceed.
ingly calm, and we knew success was
certain, so strong did the swimmer APP
pear, and so sanguine was the steamers
Captain as to the right course we were
going. The delay, however, was caused
by there being a slack tide, and but little
way was made in our progress until tide
did come, and then at given signal
from Capt. Boyton we bent with no little
swiftness for the Fan Bay shore. An in
cident worth recording as showing an
Americans GOODNESS at u moment of su.
preme excitement took place as the
rocket announcing the swimmers land.
ing flew upward from the beach. AT the
brother of the Captain, was standing on
the paddle-box, with eager eyes bent to-
ward the shore. AS the signal OF success
met his sight he raised himself 10 his full
height, and shouted out loudly and calm
ly 10 his brother this message: "Come
back now. That will do for to night
The whole time that Capt. Boyton was
in the water was twenty-three hours and
thirty-eight minutes. On the first trip IL
will be remembered that he remained In
the water for fifteen hours. The doctors
agree that the patients pulse At the close,
being seventy-one degrees, was In itself
strong proof that his physical condi-
ton was not much disturbed by his ex'
ertions, and also the fact that his temper.
ature was on this occasion ninety-nine
degrees, instead Of ninety-sevcn de-
grees, as on the last trip, when he was
obliged 10 relinquish his attempt, proved
that he was In better health on the last
occasion. Thus he has, in q very great
measure, established the character and
reputation he has claimed for his life.
saving dress since It's introduction TO the
notice Of the public on this side of the
waser
The part OF the Kentish coast where
Capt. Boyton came on shore was wild In
the extreme. There Is from the sea In.
ward small stretch Of rocks and dense
sea. weeds, and behind rise cliffs aver.
aging in height fully 200 feet. AS the
rockets assembled announcing his landing
the birds rushed in flocks from their eyrie
nests, and their screams Of alarm made
hideous discordapce In the air In less
than ten minutes from his arrival Capt.
Boyton was taken on board the steamer.
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AhHtaa IN a yauuV LADY