The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-26
SWAN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.
Peter McNnIIy Crosses From Dover
To Cnpe GrIz-Nex.

London, July 25.-Peter McNally the
Boston swimmer who was scheduled TO
make an attempt TO swim the English
channel on July 4, telegraphed TO the AS
ISOLATED Press to-day from Calais that he
made the crossing. He says that he start
ed from Dover at 80 o'clock yesterday
morning and was in the water fifteen
hours, In which he covered thirty-tive
miles He landed at 2:3O o'clock this morn
ing at a point three miles from Cape
Griz-Nez.
McNally left the Admiralty pier at Do
yer In the presence of a crowd OF on
lockers at 11:2O o'clock, intending 10 go
merely for a trial swim He wore blue
trunks, on which were pinned miniature
American and English flags. A lugger,
manned by two local sailors, accompanied
him. McNally's trainer, Brown of Boston,
the proprietor OF a music hall at Dover,
and one London journalist, were also
aboard the accompanying boat The tenn
perature of the water was GA degrees.
McNally swan steadily at the rate Of
one and one half miles per hour. AT
point four miles out the temperature was
found to haVh fallen to 62 degrees, and the
weather had become very foggy, which
necessitated great care to avoid getting
IN lhe way Oh huiHtiouS pdSSihB bteoh-
ers.
Six miles out the fog lifted. and
all the circumstances Of tide,
wind, etc, were so perfect that
Mentally announced his determination
20 try and cross the channel. He had
been heading direct for Calais, but q
strong westward current had drifted him
to a position nearly of B'olkestone.
He now took refreshments. consisting OF
beef extract and ginger, and a long piece
of American chewing tobacco, which he
says, prevents his tongue from swelling
lie swan almost continually with a
breast strike, with occasional changes to
a side stroke for relief, but he never swan
on. his back, which he explains lnterferes
with the action Of the muscles.
Ships were constantly sighted and at
O'Clock the Varne lightship was seen by
che swimmer. One and one half hours Ia
ter he had passed the Varne, which prov
ed Capt. Webbs greatest dlhculty WIN
he attempted 10 swim the channel.
Throughout the day the sun was hidden
by clouds 50 that Il did not bother tho
swimmer. At 8 O'Clock, when the sun set
the boat drew nearer 10 McNally so as TO
be close at hand In case anything should
happen.
At 10 o'clock McNally began to show
signs Of exhaustion. but pluckily contin-
ued at his task. From this time until
o clock the temperature Of the air and sea
gradually lowered McNally suffered Sc
verely the swelling OF his hands giving
him great trouble. while from time 70
time he was seized with cramps Ia his
legs, neck and arms The passage Of
his nose and mouth also became swollen,
80 that breathing was difficult.
At 2:3O o'clock he had reached a poiat
within three miles OF Cape Griz nez. Here
no commenced to splash wildly and 10
swim In circle, calling for light. II
WAS evident TO those IN the boat that he
was blinded by the salt water, which had
got into his eyes, and they tried 20 per-
suade him to get on board. This he re-
fused TO do, whereupOn he was forcibly
dragged Into the boat, where he imme
dIately became unconscious, but upon be
ing rubbed gradually revived owing TO
cnange OF tide the boat had great din
Guilty In reachiny Calais II arrived there.
however. az $50 o'clock.
As the circumstances prcciuded the DOS
sibilty OF independent reporters being
taken aboard the boat FOR the trip, the i've
occupants OF the craft which accompanied
MoNally made afiidavits IN the presence
Of the American consul describing the
feat
McNally quickly recovered from his ex-
haustion. and crossed to Dover by the
midday boat Tonight he looked fairly
Wen. considering what he had gone
through
In an interview this evening he said: IL
found that the channel n really much
longer than thought, and found the cur
rent 10 be all that Boynton Webb and
others told me. am Of the opinion that
Il n impossible for any one TO swim from
Dover 70 Calais. az the currents would all
be- against them. I shall make no more
attempts this year and will probably sau
Tor home on Aug. T."