Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-09
CAPT. WEBR'S LAST SWIM.
How the Swimmer was Swept
Through the Rapids and into the
whirlpool.
Buffalo Courier.

Capt. Webb and his business agent,
Frederick Kyle of Boston, left this
city shortly before II 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 cry
quietly. Webb affably conversing
with whoever chose to address him.
His manner was genial and exceed
ingly gentlemanly. He responded
freely to all questions that were asked
him and his pleasant, hearty manner
instantly won the favor and good will
of all who 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 a mod
est manner to some of his aquatic
achievements. He did not appear par
ticuIarly 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 a hearty English way, II can
keep my wind better, you know, on
an empty stomach" He smoked
cigar, and sat quietly on the veranda
passed until 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 McCl0y
and Webb had a brief conver-
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 atNantasket. McCloy got
the boat, a small scow painted bottom
green, i'll 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 the boat carefully out through
the rocks into the stream. Arrived in
the centre of the stream, McCIoy
slowly pulled under the new suspen-
sion bridge, on which on ly few per-
sons were congregated to see to dar-
ing man-ish start out on his venture
some journey. In utter silence, save
the hoarse murmur of the cataract,
the scow made it's 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 rapids2" asked McCIoy.
Webb answered, I've had glimpse
of them" In answered to McCloy's
questions he said he had made $25,-
900 by swimming the English Chan
mel, and he had $15, 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 point opposite the
Maid of the Mist landing. A Amoment
later he'rose gracefully to the surface,
and, swimming with infinite ease
and power, struck boldly out. 1t
was at 424 o'clock, New York time,
when he dived into the river, which
giving on it's surface few indications
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. tic 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
the current increased with remarkable /
rapidity. There were about two hun
dred 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 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