The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-06
Captain BOytOn Swimming Across the
Straights of Gibraltar.

Stra1ghtS OF Gibraltar.
Captain Paul Boyton, who made him
self European reputation by swim
ming across the English channel in his
life-saving suit, has recently crossed the
Straits of Gibraltar, starting at Caripa
at z 80 a. M, on the goth of March, and
landing at Tangier at :56 p. M of the
same day, having been in the water six
respondent of the Kansas City Times ac-
companied Capt. Boyton with others in
a sail-boat and took notes during the
trip across. The morning when the
start was made was very cold, and the
water was by no means smooth. The
captain, inclesed in his apparatus,
armed with his usual paddle, having
formidable sword-blade attached to each
end, and sheathed dagger fastened to
his waist as weapons of defense against
any attack of sharks, jumped into the
sea amidst the enthusiastic cheering
of the crowd and the encouraging re-
marks of his friends. His first act was
to swim towards a rock close by Tarifa
lighthouse, said to be the most southern
point of Europe, which he touched with
his hand, at the same time bidding fare
well to Spain. 1t was then that he got
fairly underway, sheering southwest,
weather calm, with a smooth sea; he
being in excellent spirits and fully con-
tident of success in his enterprise. The
southwest course was taken, as he ex-
pected to meet with the current setting
eastward, which would carry him more
easily toward Centa, his point of desti-
nation; this calculation, however,
proved fallacious, for the current turned
out to be settling from quite the op-
posite direction and was, therefore,
gradually drifting him to the westward
The correspondents note book shows
that the captain, after having been in
the water only ten minutes, sang song,
a shoal of porpoises by firing pistol at
to help him make time. The sail was
of no good, however, and he handed it
back and padded away merrily, mean
while smoking cigar to beguile the
time away. Between this time and
10 40 Boyton ate some bread and cheese
and drank some brandy, and then
hoisted sail again and steered for Mata-
bata Point. At 1910 he passed the
British steamer Glencairn and was
cheered by the passengers and crew.
At two o'clock such high sea was roll
ing that Boyton was begged to give up
the undertaking, but he persisted and
steered away for the African coast,
though the wind was blowing directly
against him. At $50 it had become
quite dark, and, the current setting in,
he was driven, as we'll as the boat, more
and more from the African shore. In
regard to this the notes say:
The boisterous wind and sea, in con-
junction with the rapid current and
heavy overfalls caused Boyton to drift
away from the boat, so that we soon
quite lost sight of him. After cruising
about in all directions, and hailing with
all our might, we were at last relieved
by distant hail, which proved a guide
to his whereabouts, and by proceeding
in proper direction we came up to him
but not without great risk and very
hard work. On reaching him the crew
became very violent in their language
and conduct, and insisted on his getting
on board, as they declared we were al
drifting fast into the Atlantic Ocean
Boyton, however, was firm in his resolve
on continuing his attempt to reach the
African coast. Seeing which, three Of
the crew leaned over the boats side anc
endeavored to drag Boyton on board by
main force. This movement caused
Boyton to become very excited in hi.
turn, and pointing the sword-blade OF
the end of his paddle at them, ht
threatened to plunge it into any MAI
who dared to touch him. The crew
thereupon took their oars again, finding
that their efforts to convince Boyto1
of the danger that he and those OF
board were in were utterly futile. Boy
ton began to sing with the object, i
possible, of encouraging the men ant
dissipating their apprehensions.
In little while Boyton was los
again, and again found, and this tim,
he really desired assistance, for sharl
was swimming in large circles aroant
him. A dynamite cartridge was handet
him from the boat, and having Lighted
it he threw it at the shark, and afte
the explosion saw nothing more of hi
inquisitive visitor. At 1890 he ha,
got into the waters of Tangier Bay, an,
hoisting sail crossed the reef and lande,
at 1856 p. m. Some Moors were al
tracted to the place of landing by Capt
Boyton's cries to the boat, but the.
were frightened by the captains od
appearance and ran off as rapidly a
possible. He then swan to the boat
and his armor being taken off his clothe
were found only to be damp, but he wa
very much exhausted when the feat wa
really over. Col. Matthews, the Amer
can consul general at Tangier, met tn
party and treated them with the grea
est Hospitality.
IT is of mighty little consequence
whether the sun do move" or do no
: when things have come to such pas
that q St Louis iurvman cannot snnl