The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-26
I'M A RUBBER SUIT.
Perilous Voyage of Captain Boyton
and a Herald Reporter.
A NIGHT or THRILLING ADVENTURE.
The Two Navigators Imprisoned
by Fields of Ice.

Thank the Lord that am once more on dry land
and sufficiently thawed out to give the following
count of my voyage with Captain Paul Boyton down
the bay and to the Narrows on Friday night. in a
rubber ife-saving suit 1t may be matter of inter
est to know that cannot swim a stroke pull
and never had life-saving suit before in my
life
confess that before entering the water at Castle
Garden felt slightly apprehensive as to whether we
should be able to make our way through the floating
ice and snow that covered the shore waters but no
sooner had touched the water and rcclined com
fortably at full length than confidence returned to
me. and it did not require the encouraging words
that veteran voyager my companion. to reassure
The uoyancy of the rubber dress Is something Won
derfu and although the air chambers but indif-
fercntly inflated the slightest motion of the double
baded paddle sufficient to propel along at
will.
Now. then" cried the Captain. as we turned our
faces toward the Sound, 'cross your legs and brace
up in the water. Grasp your paddle firmly, and don't
try to throw up bushel Of water at every stroke.
Let your movements be very easy and careful. for
should you founder around in the water you are
liable to turn over on your face and drown. Now.
bid your friends good by. for our voyage has be-
gum
THE START.
rocket was sent mp by the joval Captain, and
amid many encouraging words and considerable
waving of handkerchiefs we pulled out into the
stream. The situation was impressive in the ex-
treme. Stretching out before the great
black waters of the bay with here and there light
twinkling in the distance. which lent sinister and
weird aspect to the scene However. this
time to contemplate the pccnliarities Of New York
Pay. at night. we humored the ebb current
and headed for Governors Island where little
A;clo iutt IN I'm abo
upon the waters at the foot of Castle william.
When fairly out in the river the Captain placed
his bugle his lips and blew shrill blast that was
echoed back from the Long Island shore, and startled
the senries in the fort Then the notes of military
bugle call were sounded in jaunty manner, and
its cadenoes reached the ears of the sentry pacing
loneliy up and down, were family hailed by the
listening Waterman. At the point of the island
large field of ice encountered, and summoning
all strength for the purpose, drove straight
ahead right into the midst of the grating, seething
mass
Suddenly was surprised by Boyton crying out.
"Hold the Baby while go after that large cake of
ice" An instant afterward it flashed upon that
the name of the boat Baby Mine,' and took
hold of the slender line that held the little provision
boat while the Captain noseessly darted off and dis
appeared in the surrounding darkness, leaving to
my reflections, which. may well confess
not Of the most cheerful nature. "Halloo,
haloo," came the Captains voice. followed by cav
airy charge upon the bugle. which led me toward
point in the middle of the river, where Boyton
towing large cake of ice in my direction. Chamber
up on top" said my companion. painting from his
exertions. "and pull up the boat after you, we're
going to take lunch
FEAsTING ON AN ICE CAKE.
While the Captain spoke he stood upright in the
water. his two hands grasping the whirling mass of
ice and good nattrcd smile upon his dripping
tenarco. Seized with desire to do likewise 1 also
attempted to assume an upright position. but made
mouthful of briny water and all but dslocated
shoulder. l am inclined to believe that Captain
Boyton is the only man living who can master this
Placing hand the drifting cake and the other
my attentive comrades shoulder managed to
my feet in the freezing water all numb and stiff
from the effects of my icy bath The boat soon oc-
good lunch was INDUCED in. Captain Boyton
remained in the water and partook of the wine
and other good things with zest that betokened
well developed appetite. which was no doubt
sharpened by the salt sea breeze We then lit cigars
and. slipping from the ice. once more Joined the
Captain. and padded on in silence. by this time
the current hurryng ms rapidly in the direction
OF Bedlocs Island which looked like the back of
huge black sea monster, light sign of human
life being visible. Just the stiffness growing
oppressive the Captain sang in clear baritone voice.
'Shenadora. Love Your Daughter. and MY Boy
and L.
MEMORIES OF OTHER NIGHTS.
This said Boyton, lis how have passed many
close my eyes. See how the lights drop ont
by we leave New York behind us. lmag
inc yourself floating out here in the bay and not q
light TO be seen ON snore and you have but faint
idea of what my nights on the French River Loire
were. l have OFTEN passed whole night in such
complete isolation from the sounds of civilization
and life that played necessarily upon my buge
to keep mp my courage. At midnight would strain
my to catch the sound of the convent bells and
after the monotonous quietude they seemed like
music to me-"
We were now within Mailing distance of Bedoc's
ID
pedo rockets to u stick and directing the of
the missile toward the centre of the island the bomb
exploded with crash and shower OF coored lights
that and heard all over the bay. The watch
men on the island were either on duty or asleep, as
no response was made. even when Boy ton added in
suit to injury by blowing triumphant flourish
upon his buge. 1t then quarter to two o'clock.
and the stars. which previously hidden by light
Clouds now came out bright and clear overhead
while the wind became percinely cold.
BOTTOMS MISTAKE.
We had just left Bcdloc's Island aud were by dint
of terrific padding getting ont from AMONG the
floating ice when Boytcn exclaimed. 9iy God here's
dead mani" 1T the same time pointing in the drec-
tion of the object. For a moment my Unparalleled
eye was unable to see anything. but soon floating
came into view. and / felt chill of horror
seize and grew faint and sick the ghastiine
Of the situation presented itself 10 my mind.
would nave stopped S 10y from bringing me any
from my side and pulled toward the corpse with
startling velocity. closer examination OF the oh.
ject however dspeled all such feelings il turned
out to be simply All old mattress OF cork shavings.
IN DANGER or FnEEzISa TO DEATH
by TINS time we were OUT IN the mluule OF inc
bay and making for the Robbins Rect light. The
temperature in my suit grew lower each moment.
and soon peculiar sensation began to take posses
sion of me- The clothing underneath the
rubber slit necessarily warm, and, ut the out
sct considerable perspration induced. As
the cold began tn increase in my limbs this sweat
gathered in large beads, chilly that could not
get rid of the idea that my dress had
sprung aicak. aud the water was entering ut
the waist several times reached my hand around
to the fastcngs the back i'm order 10 feel n posi-
BILE hole or opening, without result. At last mem
fu.t In ANY wi IaI
said that II was effect OF the imagination which
occurred % him frequently. even though he knew