The New York herald., 1875-08-26
Captain Webb Successfully Crosses the Channel
in Less than Twcnty-threc Hours.
PROGRESS AND INCIDENTS OF THE TRIP.
He Lands on French Soil Tired,
but Soon Receivers.
Widest ENTHUSIASM IN LONDON.
The Greatest Feat Of the Centuy---Boy-
ton Beaten by Two Hours.

ESPECIAL DESPATCH BY CABLE TO THE HERALD.
LONDON August 25, 1875.
Captain Webb, who started on his second
attempt to swim the English Channel from
Dover to Calais on Tuesday, at one o'clock
in the afternoon, arrived at the latter place
to-day at noon, after being in the water
twenty-five hours and forty three minutes,
nearly three hours longer than the time in
which he calculated to accomplish the jour
ney.
THE RATE OF SPEED.
At half-past five P. M. he was progressing
at the rate of twenty strokes minute, the
sea and weather being favorable. He was
furnished with ale and beef tea, and again
At eight p. M. with beef tea and beer
After that he rested on his back for while.
TROUBLED WITH sEAwEED.
At nine o'clock he became troubled with
yeaweed, and at eleven he took draught of
cod liver oil When the moon rose at one in
the morning some brandy and tea were adj
ministered to him, Webb declaring at the
time that the swim across was ''a safe thing"
TURN IN THE TIDE.
At three A. M. he took some coffee. At
this time the tide turned northward, and
Webb appeared exhausted. His trainer
stripped and held himself in readiness to go
to Webbs assistance, but Webb laughingly
declined the proffered aid.
WHAT THE DRIFT MIGHT DO.
At this time he was still keeping up
pace of twenty strokes per minute. Fears
were entertained that the northern tide drift
would throw Webb abreast of Calais sands,
As the sequel proved.
PLUCK OF THE SWIMMER
At four o'clock A. NJ, and four miles further
progress, daylight broke. Webb was drowsy,
and coffee and brandy were given him. At
halfpast five Riden's buoys were in sight
and their position located. At seven o'clock
westerly breeze sprung up and chopping
sea followed, making the prospect extremely
discouraging; but the indomitable pluck of
the swimmer never faltered.
wEDB's ACCOMPANIMENT
small skiff kept on the weather side of
Webb, who was now swimming slowly and
had just partaken of brandy straight.
CHEERED BY CALAIS STEAMERS.
Every twenty minutes soundings were
taken at eight and ten fathoms. Steamers
came out from Calais and steamed alongside
the gallant swimmer on the weather side, the
sea breaking all the while. Cheers upon
cheers went up, and Webb seemed to feel
their inspiring influence.
IN SHALLOW WATER.
He laid direct course for Calais Sands,
westward of the pier, and at half-past ten A.
M. was in shallow water.
WELL AND SAFELY LANDED.
At forty minutes past ten A. M. the heroic
Webb stood on French SOIL tired, of course,
but very shortly recovered. He was con-
veyed to hotel in a carriage, rubbed down,
put to bed, and at one o'clock, when the
HERALD correspondent sailed for Dover,
Webb was TRANQUILITY asleep, and the doctors
had no fears of any serious consequences
BoYToN BEATEN BY TWO HOURS
Webb naked beats Boyton armored about
two hours. The widest excitement prevails
in London, and the press pronounce the
swim the greatest physical feat of the CEN