Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-07-27
CAPT. WEBB,s DEATH.

CAPT. WEBB's DEATH.
The Grcnt Swimmers Drowning II
Niagara Whirlpool.
Captain Matthew Webb's plan was {,
swim through the terrific whirlpool abou
two miles below the Falls, somethin,
that had never been done and generally
regarded as impossible. Visitors at Niagal,
are familiar with the great whirlpool which
is hardly less natural wonder than the cata
ract. Its power is irresistible, and there il
no instance on record of any living being
going through it in safety The rapids lead
lug to the whirlpool proper are also of tire.
mendous force, dashing up several feet. and
when once in the fatal circular pool bodies of
drowned persons have been known to remain
there for weeks revolving all the time with
great iapidity. Notwithstanding the almost
certainly fatal nature of the attempt, Cap
tain Webb resolved to make it, and visited
Niagara some weeks ago to look at the situa-
ton.
lie arrived in Buffalo from New York
with his manager Monday evening and re-
| manned till Tuesday morning, when he took
the last train for the Falls, determined to
carry out his plan, and went to the Clifton
House, on tue Canada side. His manager
tried to persuade him not to attempt the
fearful undertaking, but Webb had made up
his mind and said lie would take the entire
responsibility. lie seemed to realize the
danger, and before starting made his will,
leaving all his property to his wife, who,
with his two children, is in England. So
little faith was placed in his promise to
make the ettempt that scarcely any credit
was given the announcement and less than
two hundred people assembled on the banks.
lie took dinner at the hotel and then spent
some time trying to get boat.
On the whirling River.
AT half past three p. IN. perfectly cool and
confident, attired in blue shirt and light
clothes, he went down to the ferry on the
Canada side alone. AT the ferry he embark
ed In skifr rowed by John McCloy, who
was the only one who cared to take the risk
OF rowing HIM down TO the point where he
wished to jump. He started down stream,
and on the way McCloy asked him how much
ne had made by giving swimming exhibitions,
He replied about S25 200.
"llow much have you got left p asked the
oarsman.
About Slj, OO0,' was the reply.
"Then you had better let me pull you
ashore and go on a $1,000 spree rather than
try to go through that. You cannot do it. 1t
is sure death"
But Webb was determined and laughed in
a reckless way. lie took of his clothes and
McCloy said he would never need them again.
lie told the boatman To meet him with the
clothes and blankets at the Swiss Glen, below
the Whirlpool as he wished 10 20 to Boston
the next day.
"Goodby!,
Having made all preparations, he said
"Goodby," and plunged into the river at a
point little above where they are building
| The new Canada Southern Bridge. As soon
as Webb went, McCloy, who dared go no
further, turned and pulled to the Maid of
the Mist landing Weab plunged into the
water at thirty-twO minutes past four, New
York time. lie came up instantly and
swan with bold, vigorous stroke, appa-
rently with ease. till he struck the first
rapids, going under the old railway suspen-
sion bridge. Then he was carried along by
the current with tremendous velocity, but
still seemed to hold his own.
| The spectacle at this time was very
thrilling. lie shot like an arrow, with the
whirlpool straight before him. As he went
through the rapids he dove each time and
reappeared ms strong as ever. His intention
was to go through on the Canada side, but
the current was too strong for him. In
thirteen minutes he reached what is known
as the Channel, or place where the waters
shoot right and left. To those on the bridge
he was mere speck.
Suddenly he threw up his right arm aud
the great English swimmer. He was un-
doubleday sucked down into the frightfu
vortex and met an instant death. 1t was
thought that he was injured in some manner
While diving, as he seemed exhausted and
unable to make much progress. His man.
ager and the reporters were hopeful that he
would get through, and drove down the
Canada side to the Whirlpool Park, but
could find no trace of him. He never ap.
peared. The search was kept up till dark
in vain and extended to Queenstown.
Capt. Webb's Career.
Captain Webb was one of twelve children
and was born in Dawley, in Shropshire, in
the year 1898. He spent his childhood days
on the banks of the Severn, where he learned
to swim, and there, near the great iron
bridge, he saved younger member of hi;
family from drowning. This was his first
az uatic feat He was born with love fol
the water, and prevailed upon his friends tc
let him go to sea. AT very early age he
donned the blue frock and blanket trousers
of naval apprentice on board the training
ship Conway. On board this vessel he be.
came famous by saving the life of shipmate
who fell overheard in the Mcrsey. After
leaving the Conway Captain Webb ''served
his time" in the employ of the Rathbone
Brothers of Liverpool. He went in literally
at the hawse-hole and came out at the
, cabin windows. He was chief officer OF the
llepgist and other seagoing ships. On April
90, 1872, while returning in the Russia, OF
the Cunard line, from New York to Liver.
pool, whittier he was compelled to work his
passage owing to disaster and financial dit
ticulties, n seaman on one Of the lower yard
arms fell into the sea, which was running
mountains high. The vessel was going at q
great rate of speed, and there was gale Of
wind blowing Notwithstanding these dis
advantages Captain Webb jumped on the
rail and leaped into the sea to the drowning
mans rescue He did not find the sailor
but was not taken from the water for more
than half an hour owing to the state of tn,
weather. For this brave attempt the pas
sengers presented him with flOO, and TIT
Liverpool Humane Society the silver media
of the Royal Humane Society. In 1879
: Captain Webb swan across the English Chan
mel from Dover to Calais in twenty-one hour
and half, after terrific battle with thu
wind and tide. For this he received grea
ovation from the citizens Of his native town
= Later on he tried to swim thirty-six consecu
1 tive hours on the Thames, but owing to thu
a filthy condition of the water was unable t
remain In longer than ten. Even then he
was nearly poisoned. He swan for six con