Milford chronicle., 1883-08-03
IN THE NIAGARA WHIRLPOOL.
Capt. Webb Loses His Life in a FooIiah
Experiment.

Captain Matthew Webb. the famous
English swimmer, made the greatest at
tempt of his life at Niagara, on Tuesday,
and failed. His plan was to swim through
the terrible whirlpool about two miles
below the Falls, something that had
never been done and generally regarded
as impossible. Visitors at Niagara are
familiar with the great whirlpool which
is hardly less a natural wonder than the
cataract. Its power is irresistible, and
there is no instance on record Of any
living being going through in safety.
The rapids leading to the whirlpool
proper are also Of tremendous force,
dashing up several feet, and when once
in the fatal circular pool bodies of
| drowned persons have been known to re-
main there for weeks revolving all the
time with great rapidity. Notwith-
standing the almost certainly fatal ma
ture of the attempt, Captain Webb re-
solved to make it, and visited Niagara
some weeks ago to look at the situation.
No one, however, had any faith that he
would carry out his PROMISE He did
not advertise it extensively and appar-
emily cared nothing to make a grand
exhibition.
His manager tried to persuade him
not to attempt the fearful undertaking,
but Webb had made up his mind and
said he would take the entire response
bility. He seemed to realize the dam
ger, and before starting made his viii,
leaving all his property to his wife, who,
with his two children, is ~ England.
So little faith was placed in his promise
to make the attempt that scarcely any
credit was given the announcement and
less than two hundred people assembled
on the banks.
At half-past three, p. m, 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 embarked in a slxiff 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 he had made by giving swimming
He replied about S25, 900.
Chow much have you got left?"
asked the Oarsman.
AUOub H4usUUua WIS luG ItDlYs
"Then you had better let me pull you
ashore and go on a S15, 600 spree rather
than try to go through that. You can
not do it. 1t is sure death.
But Webb was determined and laughed
in a reckless way. He took off his
clothes and McCloy said he would never
need them again. He told the boatman
10 meet him with the clothes and blank
cts at the Swiss Glen, below the whirl-
pool, as he wished to 60 to Boston on
Having made all preparations, he said
'Goodby," and plunged into the river
It point little above where they are
Duilding the new Canada Southern
3ridge. As soon as Webb went, Nc
Joy, who dared 60 no further, turned
nd pulled to the Maid of the MIST land
ng. Webb plunged into the water at
lirty-two minutes past four, New York
ime. He came up instantly and swan
nth bold, vigorous stroke, apparent
2 with ease, till he struck the first rap
Is, going under the old railway suspen-
ion bridge. Then he was carried along
Y the current with tremendous velocity,
ut still seemed to hold his own.
Inc spectacle ab bllS llLne was very
lrilling. He shot along like an arrow,
it'll the whirlpool straight before him.
S he went through the rapids he dove
ich time and reappeared as strong as
rer. His intention was to go through
! the Canada side, but the current was
70 strong for him. In thirteen minutes
2 reached what is known as the Chan
j, or place where the waters shoot
ght and left. To those on the bridge
3 was a mere speck.
Suddenly he threw up bis right arm
ID disappeared. fnd that was the last
en- of the great English swimmer. He
rs undoubtedly sucked down into the
ightful vortex and met an instant
ath. It was thought that he was in
red in some manner while diving, as
seemed exhausted and unable to make
1ch progress. His manager and the
porters were hopeful that he would get
rough, and drove down the Canada
le to the Whirlpool Park, but could
d no trace Of him. He never appeared.
d his body is probably still in the
lirlpool, if not torn to pieces.