The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-23
A FAMOUS SWIMMER.

ARRIVAL FROM ENGLAND OF CAPTAIN MATTHEW
WEBB BRIEF HISTORY OF HIS EXPLOITS.
Among the passengers on the Cunard steamship
Bothnia. which arrived in this port yesterday.
the famous English swimmer Captain Webb. whose
frequent acts of daring in fesaving and whose bold
attempts to swim in the ordinary bathing costume
across the English Channel have been announced
from time to time in the European and American
newspapers. When HERALD reporter boarded the
ocean steamer in the North River Captain Webb
was chatting with some OF his fellow passengers
the saloon deck aft. He is perfect blonde, with
ruddy. clean shaven face maugre light mustache
clear cut profile mild blue eyes, good teeth and Of
Hercuean build. He is taller than he looks, has
great depth Of chest, muscular, well shapen limbs
and is altogether perfect specimen Of manhood
not far short of Ave feet nine inches in height. He
wore fashionable English walking suit, but despite
this he bore the unmstakable marks of his calling
He has been sailor all his life. and i'll his modest
way is proud Of it,
porter Captain Webb stated that his sole object in
coming to America was to do something tor the
natatorial art. He had no fixed programme, not
agent; but he would say in general way
that he intended, IL possible. to illustrate the
pest ana sarest means means Oh heeping anoa. tor
effort artificial aid. This he considered the great
desideratum of swimmers. All people could not 90
yachting, boating or other excursions with swim
ming suits in their pockets neither could they get
them ready in any sudden emergency to be OF avail.
With this purpose in view Captain Webb, who is
stopping at the Fifth Avenue Hotel has resolved to
give some exhibitions of long swims-say of twelve
hours duration daily for six days, Oft Coney Island
elsewhere. the opportunity may hereafter pre-
sent itself. What may como OF this. either in the
establishment OF schools or private tuition. he
leaves to the future.
CAPTAIN wEBB's CAREER.
Captain Matthew Webb comes of an old and highly
dren. and born in Dawley, in Shropshire, the
year 1888 He spent his childhood days on the banks
OF the Severn. where he learned to swim. and there
Lear the great iron bridge, he saved younger men,
Der OF his family from drowning. This his first
aquatic feat. He born with love for the water.
and prevailed upon his friends to let him go to
At very early age he donned the blue
frock and blanket trousers or naval ap-
prentice on board the training, ship. Con.
way. Here he learned to hand, reef and
steer and well trained in all that goes to make
thorough seaman. On board this vessel he became
overheard in the Mersey. After leaving the Conway
Captain Webb 'served his time" in the employ of
the Rathbone Brothers, of Liverpool Ho went in
literally ut the hawse holes ana came out at the
cabin windows. He was chief officer of the Hengist
and other seagoing ships On the sd of April 1872
while returning in the Russia. of the Cunard line.
from New York to Liverpool. whittier he COM
PEELED to work his passage owing to disaster aud
financial difficulties, seaman one OF the lower
yardarms fell into the sea, which running
mountains high. The vessel going at u great
rate o. speed, and there was gale OF wind blowing
Notwithst landing these disadvantages Captain Webb
jumped on the rail and leaped into the sea to the
drowning mans rescue. He did not find the sailor.
but not taken from the water for more than
half hour. owing to the state of the weather. For
this brave attempt the passengers presented him
with f10O and the Liverpool Humane Society
the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society
In 1876 Captain Webb swan across the English Chan
mel from Dover to Calais IN II y hours. alter ter
rifle battle with the wind and tide. For this lie
ceivcd great ovation from the citizens his native
town. Later he tried to swim thirty
hours on the Thames but owing to the filthy con-
dition of the water unable to remain in longer
than ten. Even then he was nearly poisoned. lie
swan tor six consecutive days with several famous
rim nor 4Qhn AFT tn att in fla