The San Francisco call., 1896-11-09
The Dolphin's Champion Swim
mer Tries to Lower
Cavills Record.
WAS BAFFLED BY THE TIDE.
The Dolphin Club Turns Out With It's
Fair Lady Guests TO Encourage
the Intrepid Athlete.

Jack Caughlan of the Dolphin Swim
ming and Boating Club would have sur
passed CavilPs feat in swimming across
the Golden Gate had the steam launch
that accompa MED him not been delayed.
Had he started one half hour earlier he
would have avoided the strong November
tide that was rushing like millrace out
to sea.
1t was his intention to begin his long
swim al O. clock, but the launch that was
to land him at Lime Point was delayed
and it did not arrive there until 2:45.
His clubmates tried TO dissuade him
from making the swim as the day was a
raw and misty one. A heavy fog obscured
their view of the fort and they were afraid
| to let him risk it. But Caughlan would
not be dissuaded. He had set his mind on
eoualing or surprising CarvilPs feat and
he said the day was as good as another.
After receiving a rub b-down with witch
hazel, ana with the encouraging cheers Of
his clubmates, he sprang into the chilling
! sea at the same spot that Cavill left when
he made his memorable swim.
With powerful side stroke he contin-
ued his journey, heading in a straight
I course toward the fort.
The only inconvenience he encountered
was the fish being carried out by the out
going tide colliding with him. A large
sized porpoise struck him, and became SO
frightened that 1T jumped nearly five feet
out of the water.
About two-thirds the distance he en-
countered the swift tide, and those who
were on the steam launch could see him
exerting all his strength, but no living
man could Withstand a current racing al
the rate of ten miles an hour, and he was
carried out for over mile. He continued
his swimming, but seeing he could make
no headway against such tide he con-
| cluded to give up his attempt for the time
being. He signaled to the launch to be
picked up, but the occupants were having
| their hands full.
They had just struck the swift current
and despite their powerful engines they
made no headway and came near being
swamped. Putting on all force they
slowly worked their way to the plucky
| swim mer and took him aboard
On their home journey The tide was so
strong that they were only able to go a
quarter of a mile in half an hour.
Caughlan's time for two-thirds the
distance was thlrty-one minutes, and had
he started earlier be would have surpassed
CavllPs time, as it took Cavill over an
hour to,make the journey, and that was
made on more favorable day.
Mr.. Caughlan, when seen after his long
swim, said he felt in no way tired, and
had the tide not been so swift would have
succeeded. 1t is his intention to try
again week from next Sunday.
Mr.. Caushlan is q graduate of the Uni.
versity OF California, of the class of go
and played football on his class team
He is an excellent oarsman and Is
possessed OF a magnificent physique. He
is twenty-five years of age and a native
son.
The Dolphins had two of their large
boats out, the WIeland and the Arion
Both boats were crowded with the young
ladies of the club, and they did their
share in encouraging the hardy swimmer.
On board the Wieland were: Z. p. Sui
livan, r. Blennerhassett, I. r. keenan,.
G. NJ. Farrell, John Marion and Captain
w. q. Patch. On the Arion were: T.
Fitzpatrick, J. Campod onico, ]. Caughlan,
G. r. Sullivan and V. Devlin. On tie
launch Ariel were a! Rouard J. II. Wes-
sells and T. j. Kenny.
The boats were ably commanded by
Commodore J. c. Mccarthy.