The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-16
CAPTAIN BOY7ON AFLOA7.
The Plucky Swimmer Makes Trip
Up the East River.
CAPTURED BY THE CONVICT GUARD.
General Excitement Caused by the Appearance
N Of the Rubber Suit.


The fact that Captain Paul Boyton was to mako .
trip up the East River yesterday in his new life
saving suit was kept profound secret But somehow
or other the matter leaked out that the Captain would
make voyage from the Battery to Hunters Point in
the afternoon, and Castle Garden was be.
sicged by gaping. eager. jostling icrowd of
men and boys long before noon. Inside the Gar
den end the emigrant pier stood '.Nan. tho news
boy. silver medal shining upon his breast while
ranged beside him with more humble bearing
his two faithful comrades. Gilbert Long and Edward
Kelly ON the other side of the little group was Cap
tain Jack Hussy. his breast covered with golden
tokens of bravery and aproud smile Illuminating his
weather-beaten countenance.
past twelve o'clock Boyton retired to asmall
room and after . few moments appeared dressed in
rubber suit made purposey to voyage on the River
volga and other long Prussian rivers. 1t diff
fercd from the old suits in several points
Instead of having only one compartment
in the legs they were divided into
two separate air chambers, front and back This was
done to avoid the sagging down of the lower limbs
in the water. At the back Of the suit was wide
rubber hange or lapel. which hung down like the
broad trls Of coat. This fange is turned upward
when in the water that it forms excellent keel
and also protects the back of the suit from
being cut by rocks gravel beds. Hung
around his neck formidable looking
shark knife and depending from this was bottle
which bore u mysterious inscription. To the
porter it appeared to very much resemble the word
brandy" The suit was of Para rubber. an eighth
Of an inch thick, the whole weighing when dry about
thirty pounds. In his hand he carried delicatcly
formed double-bladed ash paddle.
one O'clock and tho dense crowd parted for moment
Paul Boyton darted down tothe edge OF the dock
and looked over.
ENTERING THE WATER.
Then he inflated the air chambers through tho
numerous tubes that hung from the dress, and:
standing perfectly erect with little toss OF the head
he plunged in to the stream saying. Here goes for
the baptism Of the suit" The dive was made
amid much applause, although many evidently
nervous for the safety Of the Captain. A handsome
silk national emblem unfurled, and. wi . quick
movement fastened to brass socket strapped to
| foot This is the flag he carried through many
| long European river and which he bore down the
| Seineto Paris.
ton padding away vigorously. In an instant tho
air was rent with three cheers for the courageous
Battery toward the East River. At the Battery dock
boat put out to accompany Boyton. The
Sapa pea was out soon n'0 rocking g sn ossnS
on the heavy tide swelis Along the river 'front.'
could be crowds of excited people, rushing from
dock to dock stranng their eyes at the novel sight
which presented itself. At Fulton ferry the steam
boat Mineola. stopped in the middle OF the
whistle. the Captain was greeted with wild
applause und cheers by the crowd Of passengers
on board. The honors were SO emphatic in
this ease that Captain Boyton stood upright in the
water and after saluting with his paddle waved the
flag three times above his head while the workmen
curious sight presented below. At twenty minutes
past O'Clock the bridge was passed, and the rest
of his journey Hunters Point grund ovation
from tho steamboats,. sailing vessels and people
on shore who waved bright hued handkerchief
up every available foot Of space the outlying
piers Tie swimmer at this point was carried by the
of speed. and cheers and yels were heard
from both sides of the river Boyton could be seen
making efforts to keep himself from being driven by
reef the south end of Backwclls Island Ths CAP
tain passed the threatening reefs in safety.
BROUGHT TO FOR EXAMINATION.
When opposite blackwell = Island the Captain began
/ to hug its shore. when suddenly the guardboat
Wet WITH Hullo. there! Who the devil are you. and
what are you driving at!
"Im on littc pleasure trip and expect to 60
"You do chi Wen, 1 guess so. And what's more,
you'll come ashore here You can't play any roots
Oh me-"
The Captain good humorcdly started Ut q. racing
pace toward the New York side but the guard. boat
he found himself being headed of prisoner. On
| the New York shore everything was confusion and
escaping convict ial been captured, aud expecting to
conflict take place. But the thrilling battle did
boat to land where he was instantly recognized. and
| to politencss aud apology. -.
A few minutes before four o'clock the crowd which
lined the river at Hunters Point caught sight Of tho
bobbing flag and cleaning paddles OF the indomitabe
swimmer. and all the hags were dipped. while tho
| little speck on the water swayed its coors
! with vim. When n few hundred yards of
torpedo rocket sent mp from the land
! ing place, and exploded in the air with
terrific report Captain Boyton seized his colors.
and, standing up in the water, he clambercd on to
cake of ice chat cracked beneath his weight. Then
he uncorked the bottle strung around his neck and
took long and hearty drink, while the multitude
shore applauded with cheers and yells.
RETURN DOWN.
At ten minutes past four o'clock the voyage wis
continued. and tho Captain set out smoking cigar
amid the cries Of 'Bravo. Boyton, bravo" This
passage down to Dover dock very rough.
| Not steamer passed but dipped its flag and
/ blew it's whistle In honor OF the occasion.
| When just under the Brooklyn Bridge the
staff by the heavy wind on the river The silk col
ors dropped into the water and were chased down
and captured directly IN front of the landing
! pier, Dover dock, which was crowded by at least
! 5000 persons. rocket was handed from
| the dock to the floating man, who steercd
Captain Boyton landed on the dock perspiring from
the use OF his paddle. but covered with ice. he
then crossed over south street and returned to his
hotel. When stripped in his room he was found
to be- instead OF cold and numb, very mucA
heated. the exertior having raised the temperature
OF his body two degrees above the normal state.
To the HERALD reporter Captain Boynon said that no
enjoyed his trip very much. but spoke in depreca-
tory terms of the river currents above Wiianspurg
lie Is delighted with the trial of his now SUIT TOT iouB
voyaging and said that he contemplated taking trip
| from the head waters Of the 81. LAWRENCE oown
| through the lakes to the gulf.