Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-08-03
CAPT. wEBB.S LAST SWIM.
How the Swimmer was swept
Through the Rapids and into the
whirlpool.

Capt. Webb and his business agent,
Frederick Kyle of Boston, left this
city shortly before IL o'clock yester-
day and took the noon train on the
New York Central to the Falls. They
were driven in the Clifton House ON
nibus to that hotel, on the Canada
side. Here they passed the time very
quietly. Webb affably conversing
with whoever chose to address him.
His manner was genial and exceed
ingly gentlemanly. He soond ID
freely to all questions that We're asked
him and his pleasant, hearty manner
instr won the favor and good will
of all VINO approached him. During a
long conversation with a representa-
tive of the Courier he conversed in a
highly intelligent manner on a variety
of subjects. He related some of his
experiences in the merchant navy of
Great Britain, and referred in mod
est manner to some of his aquatic
achievements He did not appear par
ticularly concerned about the hazar-
dous feat he was about to undertake,
and when any doubt was suggested in
regard to his making the attempt, he
assured the doubter in firm but quiet
terms of his absolute intention to try
to do what he had said he would. He
said more than once that he did not
anticipate any trouble, but though he
spoke confidently there was no trace
of braggadocia in his manner. He
chatted pleasantly until the dinner
hour at the hotel. Strange to say he
declined partaking of the meal, say
ing that he preferred not to eat, add
ing, in hearty English way, Il can
keep my wind better, you know, on
an empty stomach" He smoked a
cigar, and sat quietly on the veranda
of the Clifton House. So the time
passed until 4 o'clock, when Mr. Kyle
took him aside and said a few words
to him. He then left the piazza, walk
ed short distance along the road, and
turned off down the steep pathway
leading down to McCloy's ferryboat
house, which is several hundred yards
above the new suspension bridge
on the Canada shore. McCloy
and Webb had a brief CONVEX
sation. The latter also spoke to Mrs.
McCloy. who asked him whether he
would see his wife and children again.
He replied confidently. Il hope so. "
He spoke about his baby, Z months
old, his vile and other children, and
said that he expected to meet them in
a few days at Nantasket. McCloy got
the boat, a small scow painted bottom
green, in readiness with two pair of
oars, and Webb stepped steadily and
cheerfully into it. Time is up" he
remarked to McCloy as the latter
rowed tho boat carefully out through
the rocks into the stream. Arrived IN
the centre of the stream, McCloy
slowly pulled under the new suspen-
sion bridge, on which on ly few per
sons were congregated to see to dar-
ing man-fish start out on his venture
some journey. In utter silence, save
the hoarse murmur of the cataract,
the scow made its way. Gradually
the current grew stronger, and the
speed became correspondingly great
er. Very few words passed between
the two men, save that the ferryman
asked Webb whether he had swan
often before, to which he replied.
''Many times. Have you ever
seen the rapids" asked McCloy
Webb answered, I've had glimpse
of them" In answered to McCloy' s
questions he said he had made $25,
600 by swimming the English Chan
mel, and he had SIS, 900 left. McCloy
states that he advised him to go ashore
and spend it and not risk his life in
the rapids. A few moments later Nc
Cloy told the hardy swimmer that he
had brought HIM as far as he could
with safety to the boat and himself
Webb promptly removed his hat,
handkerchief, coat, and all his cloth
ing save a pair of short red cotton
trunks around his loins, and, without
a word of farewell, plunged boldly
into the water at a point opposite the
Maid of the Mist landing. \ moment
later he rose gracefully to the surface,
and, swimming with infinite ease
and power, struck boldly out. 1t
was at 4:24 o'clock, New York time,
when he dived into the river, which
seemed to be flowing placidly onward,
giving on its surface few in iications
of the awful dangers beyond. He
cleared the water with strong and
steady strokes, swimming on his
breast with his head clear from the
surface. He kept in the center of the
stream and the strong eddies which
occasionally swirled past him seemed
in no way to impede or swerve him
from his course. As he approached
the old suspension bridge the flow of
tbo o,,o,a,, ;r,oroocad Wit II ro,,, a rl~o a. q
rapidity. There were about two hun
bred spectators on the bridge who saw
the intrepid swimmer glide toward
them, pass swiftly beneath them, and
ere they could reach the east side of
the structure he was fifty yards down
the current. He was carried along as
fast as the eye could follow him.
With speechless wonder and fear he
was seen to reach the first furious bill
lows of the rapids. Onward he was
swept like a feather in the sea. High
on the crest of a huge boulder of
water his head and shoulders CLEANED
for an instant and then was lost in a
dark abyss of turmoiling water Again
he appeared, his arms steadily moving
as if balancing himself for plunge
into another mighty wave. The tum-
bling, rushing, swirling element
seemed to give forth an angry. sullen
roar as if sounding the death knell
of the Inflated swimmer. Once
more away down the rapids he
was seen still apparently
Drawing fate and stemming the
seething waters with marvellous skill
and endurance. Instead of being Eurl-
ed hither and thither as might have
been expected. he was carried with
furious rapidity onward almost in a
straight course For nearly a mile he
was hu ried forward by the tumultu-
Gus rushing waters, and still he seem
ed to be riding the awful pillows in
safety In four minutes after he had
passed under the old suspension bridge
he had been hurried through the ter
rible rapids and arrived at the mouth
of the great whirlpool. Reaching what
seemed to be less troubled and dan
gerous waters, he raised his head we'll
above the surface, gazed for an instant
toward the American shore, and then
turned his face to the high bluff on
the Canadian side A second later he
dived or sank and was seen no more.
There were very few who witnessed
the tragic disappearance, as the pass
age was completed in an almost incom-
prehensibly brief period Mr.. Kyle
and few others were on the banks
of the whirlpool below the cliffs. but