The New York herald., 1879-02-25
BOYTON AFLOAT AGAIN.
HE COMMENCES HIS TRIP TO THE GuLF--A
SWIM OF TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED
MIIEs-sTARTING BETWEEN DANGEROUS
BLOCKS OF ICE.

HE COMMENCES HIS TRIP TO THE GULF-A
SWIM OF TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED
Es-sTARTING BETWEEN DANGEROUS
BLOCKS OF ICE.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
ROCHESTER. Pa, Feb. "a. 1879.
For the past few days the city has warmly dis.
cussed the proposed voyage of Captain Paul Boyton
from Pittsburg to the Gulf Of Mexico. Early this
morning thousands gathered on the banks of tho
Allegheny River in front of the Robinson House, to
the intrepid voyager enter the water. Opinions
were expressed that even the Captains iron nerve
would shrink from the sight presented in the river.
as cake after cake Of heavy shore ice
As eight O'Clock, the time for the start.
drew nigh and no signs OF Captain Boyton
there something wrong, and they began to shout
vigorously. The cause of the delay was that when
the Captain at six O'Clock he found that no was
suffering from want OF sleep. Boyton deprived him.
self of rest last night by lcuring in Allegheny City
for the benefit of the poor, the loss OF sleep,
coupled with the amount OF brain work he has
been doing lately, brought severe attack
of vomiting. Then the usual breakfast Of toast
and eggs was eaten and the of the day once more
donned his rubber suit. passage was cleared by
the police. from the hotel to the river through which
Boyton quickly passed
NOT sASauISE or REACHING THE GULF.
On reaching the waters edge he paused u moment.
and. stretching his graceful form to its full height.
II have 22O0 weary miles of water before me-the
chain that binds the North to the South. cannot
promise to reach the Gulf, but Will do best and
that is as much as have ever DONE"
Then he shook hands with his friends, and the
last who graspcd his hand Mr.. Thomas
McAfrey, whom Boyton rescued at the very spot
twenty years ago. With u slow, laborcd movement
he made his way huge cake Of ice. aud
loud splash announced that the Captain
moro afoat. Grasping his paddle
he struck out from the shore for the channel
current, in which he soon foated with miniature
icebergs and rubbish. In few minutes he passed
under the st. Clair Bridge. which was dangerously
loaded down with yelling and cheering multitude,
who waived godspeed to the swimmer he glided
into the ohio River, just below the Monongahea.
and soon La Belle Riviere was bearing him out Of
sight.
STRUGGLING AGAINST ICE.
Those who followed him along the west shore
could that the ice troubled him considerably and
time after time he became wedged In between the
blocks of ice, which closed In on him. Where the
channel narrowed ut Sewicklly he was sighted at
twenty minutes past twelve r. NJ, and here
the adventurous navigator found the Ice al
most gorged across from shore to shore. He became
faint from his struggles to cut through the
mass. At last he got through and struck ahead,
though with intense suffering evident In every
ton. lie observed at Rochester at half past We
+. NJ, and soon cano alongside the landing place,
where he was pulled ashore amid the widest enthu.
siasm and driven 10 the hotel in q carriage. He is
resting tonight. and will start tomorrow morning
at aylight for Liverpool, Ohio.