The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-04
PAUL BOTTOMS LONG SWIM.
FROM LONG BRANCH TO COMFY ISLAND
IN TwENTy-EIGHr HoURs-roILowED By


| IN TwENTy-EIGHT HOURS FOLLOWED BY
! SHARKS.
| The announcement that Captain Paul Boyton
| would finish his swim from Long Branch TO Man
haitian Beach yesterday afternoon attracted thou
sands of people who were eager to see the famous
navigator in his favorite element As early as noon
people lined the beach and carefully watched for the
first sight of him. The signal for his approach was
to be the lowering of the flag on the bathing
| amphitheatre, in whose grounds Boyton haa
agreed to land. At about three o'clock one Oh
the lookout cried. "There he Is
and. sure enough. right alongside OF the brigh-
ton establishment was figure IN the WATER
which worked paddle similar to that used by Boy
ton. As the man neared Manhattan Beach the shore
was black with excited thousands, ana number OF
swimmers started out to meet him. On closer
view Of the man he turned out to be practical
joker, swimming without rubber suit and using
paddle to deceive the people. police boat was
launched and the intruder was driven away from
the beach by order of Mr.. Corbin. Although a
constant watch was kept up all the afternoon. no
trace of the plucky ''infationist' was seen.
As night came on Boyton's friends became
alarmed and expressed their fears that he had
been the victim of accident The people on the
beach talked of nothing else. and messages were
sent to Long Branch asking for information. They
were answered by similar messages saying that the
Long Branch people terribly excited. no
news had been received Of the Captain.
At fifteen minutes past eight P. NJ. the bathers in
the surf family distinguished the notes OF buge
call. which announced the approach Of Boyton.
general scamper toward the upper end of the beach
took place, where little speck could be
seen on the surface of the water. In about
fifteen minutes shore reached. and
Rnvt he md
the moonlight and was surrounded by a jolly and
boisterous set of bathers. In few minutes he was
taken to his room and stripped. His suit was half
filled with water and his body showed signs of
great suffering and exhaustion. His face was
bronzed like an Indians and his hands
were covered with bisters. While being rubbed
down by two assistants Captain Boyton told
n HERALD reporter the story of his journey after
leaving Long Branch at hafpast three O'Clock P. NJ.
on Saturday. He said that his programme was to
paddle to the lightship at Sandy Hook. and after
he left Long Branch he held out from the shore
about eight miles. The wind southeast and fair
stroke he was able to shoot along at comfortable
pace. Before reaching the Nsvesink Highlands the
steamer Richmond passed and whstled As her
passengers caught sight of Boyton rousing
cheer was given, to which the Captain re-
sponded by a few notes on his bugie. This
almost the voyager down through care
lessness. Then Boyton spoke the Morgan City.
sank from view the Navesink lights came twink
ling out right opposite. current began to
set out from land toward the open sea. The
ship, but despite all his efforts carriedtpast, and
soon dancing on the waves Of the ocean, Not
struggle toward the light till ten p NJ, when a
strong easterly current swept him out OF sight Now
began steady battle to near and hug the
ship passed. The Captain could
her lights plainly he passed to the southwark.
As the hours the water grew rough,
and the very high. At midnight the Captain
thinks he about eight miles out beyond the far
lrhtship He became disheartcned as everything
seemed to be against him. The tide turned ut four
o'clock yesterday morning. when fresh
westerly breeze sprung up. This changed the
clambered up the side of the outer lghtship. The
mate gave him cup Of coffee and instructed the
rest no slipped down ships side and padded in
the direction Indicated mist prevented him from
seeing any of the shore except the hills Of Staten
Island, toward which he bore.
PADDLE AS PROTECTION.
The mate of the lightship had told Boyton that
sharks ten feet long had been seen within few
hours and sharp watch was kept for the monsters.
At haif-past nine A. M. the yacht Blue Rock was
spoken and the sailing master master pointed out the d
In a little while the buildings on the island
could be distinguished The ebb tide sud-
view as the weary man swept back.
At half past ten the brig Faith spoken. This
CLASSY ana smooth. Gradually the water became
alive with the terrible dorsal fms which betrayed
the presence Of sharks. BNton says that he had to
sters followed him for two miles, and
he only frightened them away by beating
the with his paddle. At three O'Clock
heavy squall came down and converted
the Calm water into bed of foam. He was forced
off the coast. past Rockaway. The tide turned
four O'Clock, after which the Captain padded south
ward and west un til he struck Manhattan Beach.
He says that the trip twice terrible and
the going across the English Channel. The
distance made thirty-ive miles, in twenty eight
hours.