The New York herald., 1879-09-15
CAPTAIN Webb DEFEATED.
A Swimming Match Remarkable
for Many Retirements.
Won SCIOENING'S PROWESS
The Champion of California Meets with
a Serious Accident

Five contestants entered the wafer Opposite Lalu'
Ii. Yesterday afternoon. to compete for the SWIM
ming championship of America and laccording 10
.dvertisement) for s2.25o AS four of the men
abandoned the water in first rate condition. some
doubts were entertained by the select few in attend
ance as to the veracty the Captain
Webb the English champion, found in Won Schoe-
ming said TO be an ex-lieuenant of the Pfussan
army worthy competitor, and it is to be regretted
tnat the contest not prolonged In order to
settle the question as to whether the Germans en-
durance equal to his speed. During the SIX
hours swim the ex-Lieutenant improved his lead
until when Webb drew out. he was al
most hals o mile in advance OF all competi-
tors. Owing to the incement weather the
contest, as a money making scheme. was not
success, and although clear skies prevailed during
the afternoon the interest was not sufficient ut any
time to give encouragement to the men. The best
record was made by Won Schoening,. who completed
seven miles and traction to the six miles and frac
ton credited to the English champion. The ac-
tual time of the 5h. 55m. As q
record of distance or speed the is utterly
worthless for the length of the course is only est-
mated When the contest began it was stated that
five laps between the two stakeboats made mile.
and after about three miles had been made it was
announced that some mistake had occurred and that
only four laps necessary Most of the up
to the stage having been made upon a basis
of five laps the mile, considerable confusion en-
sued and to straighten matters out it was agreed
that the original computation of five laps to the
mile would be allowed. 1t is safe TO say that
neither five four laps would have made an even
mile. Five laps was too long and four laps too
short. The general guess. however. prevailed and
when mile is spoken OF on this account it con-
templates i've laps.
1t was intended that the swimmers and their
friends should leave pier l. North river, at nine
~. .lf,sk l.atf rain w
after eleven when the barge Nelson slipped her
moorings and in company with the barge War
bay to point about quarter OF mile
off Bath Beach. The five competitors were
England W. H. Daily, champion of California;
George H. Wade. champion OF Brooklyn; George Il.
woerhan. champion OF New York. ana Ernest Won
schoening. of Brooklyn. Daily came all the way
from California to meet Captain Webb, and but for
an accident which occurred to him during
Enslish,nan au % n plenty Of work. Wade is we'll
known as u swimmer of local repute. Wogrhan
is the man who swan few weeks ago from the
Battery to Coney Island. Won schoening is new as
professional and Webb is too well known to call for
extended remark at this time. At twenty minutes
and thirty seconds past one these men leaped from
the barge into the water. majority OF them having
been embrocated with various oils and greases. The
sight at taking the water was picturesque; in
fact it was the only picturesque occurrence of the
contest brief spurt just before Daily retired
when Webb worked his way to the fore. From the
different decks the plunged OF. Webb. Wade
and Won Schoening making long 'fetches" that
brought them quite close the stake boat
The stake boais anchored parallel with the
shore, ut distance from each other variousy esti
mated stated above. Once the westerly boat tine
one for which the men struck out was reached, the
race began. Webb and Won Schoenng first
to turn. followed by Daily. Wade and woah
ran. After few turns Won Schoeniug forged
q little ahead and Daily made advance on Webb.
Between this time and the finish OF the fourth mile
the Californian gained almost quarter OF mile on
him much strength. During the fifth mile the Cap
tain overhauled the Californian. but did not seem
n HA VAllA n h
after the fashion of Mr.. Rowen when he ed
behind OLeary in the great walk; The
very much and many times he made Intellectual
efforts to increase his lead. The Englishman. how
ever. preserved his even. mechanical stroke. and
when the squirting was over was seen again to close
up the gap. Meanwhile Won Schoening. had in
creased his lead until he had almost whole lap
ahead OF the Englishman. Webb seemed to pay
mind aud limbs being occupied in getting
times Daily was refreshed with draughis of warm
tea brought to him by his wife. The Others took
but little refreshments werhan. at the end Of the
third mile, the last IN the race. At this
stage OF the contest Won Schenng was four and q
half laps ahead of him. Daily three and half Webb
and half. About this time Daily. coming up
the course. met W9hran going down, and in
your centreSoard down" Never nina sad the the
good natured last man. "Ill put mine down when
you are taking yours up.
At forty-three minutes past four Wade. having
completed three miles two aud three-quarter laps.
retired, declaring that he could not anything.
Most of the time he with his head
very low in the water and the continual spashing of
the waves against his eyes had quite infanied them
In swimming to the east he said he experienced no
difficulty. but going to the west the blinded
him. Wade did not enter the race in the hope of
worked until twelve O'Clock Saturday night
OH his engine the Metropolitan IL" road. and
told the reporters that he felt in first rate trim
when he came from the water save and except his
eyes. When questioned further he said :-''Gentlc-
men, I'd rather not say anything"
DAILY RETIEEs
On turning the eastern stakcboat to make the
twenty-ourih lGp Daily huGged 1t so close that he
struck his knee-pan aga INST The keel. He felt the
shock but experiencing no pain. he continued on
his course. Webb had followed close behind him n
the way down the course. and when they rounded
the stakeboat against which Daily injured himself
they We're almost abreast Thus they continued
until midway between the staheboats when Webb
the spectators the barge. After Webb passed
hin. Daily seemed to tail, and, after lie turned tho
western stakeboat. he struck out tor the barge.
board which he was lifted. His right leg badly
barkad and the patella swollen. The limb stifened
rapidly. and ten minutes after he taken aboard
he was quite lame. He left the water at thiryiour
minutes past five.
One hour later Captain Webb retired, leaving Won
Schocniag with two laps to the good.
The captain seemed in the best OF spirits and
health when he lifted to the deck OF the barge.
When questioned as to his reasons TOR retiring ho
saidi-"Oh. began to feel queer"
"Did you feel queer for any length of time, or did
you come aboard at the first indications of nnessg
ION. felt II coming on Tor some time
wERiiAN RE1IREs.
With the retirement of the Captain the two al
legged prizes one OF si,5O0. another of $3.50. wero
lett TO Werhan and Won schoening, the former be-
ing something over nile behind. At nine minutes
past seven Werhan called Tor u boat and was taken
up. lie declared that he could not make ont the
staKeboats account OF the dark and had gone
halt mile out of Is road the last turn. lie was
fresh as when he entered the brine, and wanted
TO bet $1,000 that he could remain hve hours longer
In tho water.
THE END.
Won Schoening. six minutes later. followed wer-
han and the contest IT such IT be called was at
end
SCORE.
The following IL the 10y laps -
Won Schoenjng-1 4, 11,11111,1l1l1
1111l, III, ], 1-3G.
Webb i, IL i, /, 11111,11ll
iii !, Isl.
Merhan-l III. .11l11. 1ll11 ILL