Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-21
WEBB'S GREAT SWIM oUTDONE.
An American Crosses the English Channel
I'm Twenty-Three Hours.
New York Worldl

AIondon telegram Of August 18th saws :
The great attempt of the American SWIM
mer Dalton in swimming across the Eng
lish channel resulted IN his success last
night, when he arrived at Folkestone after
trayersing a distance of sixty miles and
being in the water twenty-three hours and
tWenty-eicht minutes continuously. The
beach was thronged with people awaiting
his landing, and there was small fleet OF
craft sailing about on the lookout for him.
There was great enthusiasm IN the crowd
on shore and aflOat, and a purmur OF genu-
inc sympathy went up when Dalton finally
staggered up the sand and fell fainting a
few feet from the waters edge.
There was new interest given tins swim.
az Dalton reversed the old order Of doing
things, and started from Cape GrisneZ, on
the French shore, instead of starting from
some point on the English side. He was
accompanied by the liteboat Ocean King,
with Captain Dunn and several seamen.
Dalton's first intention was to start from
England, but u number of his friends adj
vised him so strongly TO do otherwise that
he finally consented. The length Of his
course was greatly increased by the force
of the current. which carried him far out
of his way and more than doubled his dis
lance. and the strength OF the current
weakened him very much.
Dalton had waited some days for the bois-
ferrous weather 10 abate, and 1t being calm
Yesterday, he took advantage of 1t and
made the trip thus under perfect climatic
conditions. He crossed over TO France in
a lifeboat, and in the early evening started
on his great task.
There was considerable doubt felt blythe
public generally as TO his success, but he
personally had every confidence III himself,
declaring that he would swim on his back
entirely. which he did relying upon leg
propulsion for his Roadway. Thus he Sc
cured occasional opportunities for rest
more frequently than any other mode OF
swimming would permit. He was in the
pink of condition when the swim began,
having been in training for some weeks
He did not anticipate being able To CON-
plete his task in less than twenty-five
hours. SO il was not expected that the
lifeboat would be sighted from the shore
until midday. She IS thirty feet long and
is furnished with side lights as well as the
usual working lights.
Besides the captain and the crew she
carried a man TO assist and attend on Dal-
ton. She was furnished with supply of
provisions for their use. as well as specially
prepared and easily digested food for the
swimmer and restoratlyes IN case OF neces-
slty.
The Ocean King was accompanied by q
small boat, which, rowing between her and
the swimmer. served to keep Dalton, IN
communication with those on board.
About three miles off Haythe Dalton be-
gan to exhibit symptoms of fatigue, but
after taking some stimulants be struck out
with renewed vigor. AS he approached
Folkestone he became very exhausted. but
still be struggled on very pluckily, resting
at intervals of three minutes, and finally
landed amid tremendous cheering.
Every attention was paid TO him when be
tainted, and he was taken to the hotel
where everything necessary was done fol
him.
The feat is regarded as more wonderful
than that Of the ill-fated Captain Webb
who was the first to really swim across the
cbannel