The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-20

HuspREps OF HUNGRY sIGHr-sEERs wATcr
INe THE wATER-w0NDER.

HUNDREDS OF HUNGRY si"hh-ssnHS "ANh'
ING THE wATER-woNDER.
II was pretty well understood yesterday
afternoon that Captain Paul Boyton, the
wondrous navigator, would at O'Clock
undertake the dangerous and hitherto un-
accomplished feat OF passing through The
rapids and over the ugly falls OF the James
river opposite the city.
Everybody who Is ut all familiar with the
falls Of the James knows full well the num-
Der OF rocky boulders that line the stream,
and have heard Of the eddies and obstruc-
tions that lic at the head OF tide
water here. Some OF those acquainted
With these facts waited on Captain Boy
ton yesterday morning md attempted
to dissuade him from undertaking the life
peril ing task of passing through the
rapids. One of the arguments used was
that year or two ago the nsh-traps which
lined the stream wherever II passed be-
tween narrow beds Of rocks had been or
dered away by the Legislature, and that In
most cases the iron spikes used TO confine
the traps had been left standing in the
rocks in which they had been fastei 4, and
that these, II encountered by the yoyager,
would. owing TO the swift current, cut
through his rubber suit and fatally injnre
him. Nothing daunted, Captain Boy
ton determined to carry out his pro-
gramme, which, in effect, was to take the
water at the pump-house, and passing
through the rapids land at point near
Rockets.
Hundreds OF people were at the ap-
pointed place at o'clock, the hour at
which the voyager was 10 embark on his
perilous undertaking. He promptly ap-
peared, and leaped into the water. Cheers
broke from the crowd as Captain Boyton
moved of, the novelty Of the strange spec
tacle being sufficient to excite the most cu-
rious emotions. Away he went, founder
ing in the water, his stcering-paddle flash
ing up and down in the sunlight, send
ing up at times volumes OF spray,
and presenting q most unnatural sight
for the James river. On went the Captain,
passing every obstacle. shooting under the
unfinished trestle-work Of the Richmond
and Petersburg railroad bridge, under the
Free bridge, on which hundreds OF people
were standing, and on to the insignificant
breakwater below and beneath it. Here
the Captain encountered an adventure,
which he SAYS was more than he suspected
at such a point. He took the fm over the
dam calamity, but not thinking OF the
depth OF the water or the force OF descent.
he was drawn under the current OF the fall
ing water. He struggled manfully, and after
remaining under the water for more than
a minute, and finding his paddle powerless
to bring him out, he dropped it, and feel
ing out with his hands felt piece OF. sub
merged timber. 4 vigorous pull on this
brought him out. Continuing his course,
he came near the Richmond shore below
the Free bridge, and commenced TO steer
his course through the rapids intervening
between this bridge and IIayall's mills.
Hundreds OF people were packed along the
bank here, and saw Captain Boyton bump
ing over the rocks, now disappearing, and
again showing himself, in his black rubber
suit, maniully combating the angry waters.
As he passed the mills the crowd cheered,
and the Captain shot out into The smooth
water. holding between his teeth cigar.
From this point to the Philadelphia Com
pany's wharf he made the trip smoothly,
by more than hundred boats,
and watched from the shore by thousands
OF people. When he came out OF the water
he was very much fatigued, and complain
ed Of the bruises he had received in his
rough trip over the rapids. After changing
his suit he took a carriage for his headquar-
tiers, near the Richmond and Fredericks-
burg depot but 1t was with great difficulty
he could make his way through the throng
Of people who surged and pressed upon
one another in order to get glimpse OF the
The feat was wonder-cX-
citing one, and the recollection OF it will
last long in the minds OF those who wit
messed il.