The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-07-26
SWAMI THIRTY-FIVE MILES
BUT M'NALEY FAILED TO CROSS I'll E
 ENGLISH CHANNEL.


 When Forcibly Takon From the Water
 Three Miles from the French Coast--
 Revived Qnickly, However.
 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 Associated Press to-day from Calais that he made the attempt yesterday, He says that he started from Dover at 11:30 o'clock yesterday morning and was in the water fifteen hours, in which time he covered thirty-five miles. He landed at 2:30 this morning at a. point three miles from Cape Griz Neg.
 McNally left the admiralty at 12 o'clock intending to go merely for a trial swim. He wore blue trunks. on which were pinned miniature Americans and English flags. A lugger manned by two local seamen accompanied him. McNally's trainer, Brown of Boston, the proprietor of g. music hall at Do-! yer and one London journalist were also aboard the accompanying boat. The temperature of the water was 64 degrees. McNalIy swan steadily at the rate of one and half miles per hour. At point four nilea out the temperature was found to have fallen, to 62 degrees. and the weather had be- come very foggy, which necessitated very great care to avoid getting in the way of numerous passing steamers. Six miles out the fog lifted, and all the circumstances of tide, wind, etc. were so perfect that McNally announc- ed his determination tottry to cross the channel. He had been heading direct for Calais, but strong westward cur- rent had drifted him to position near ly off Folkestone. He now took re- treatments, consisting of beef extract and ginger and long piece of Ameri- can chewing tobacco, which. he says. Eprevents his tongue from swelling.
 He swam almost continually with a breast stroke, with occasional changes to 8 side stvoke for relief: but he never swan on his back, which. he explains; kinterferes with the action of the mus cles
 Ships were constantly sighted and at 4 o'oclock the VarneHght ship was seen by the swimmer. One and one-half hours later he had passed the varne, which proved Captain Webb's greatest difficulty when he attempted to swim the channel.
 Throughout the day the sun was hid- den by clouds, so that 1t did not bother the swimmer. At 8 o'clock. when the sun set, the boat drew nearer to Mo- Nally so as to be close at hand in case anything should happen. At 10 o'clock MoNally began to show signs Of ex- haustion, but pluckily kept at his work. Ia 4tn q his hands giving him great trouble while from time to time he was seized with cramps in his legs. neck or arms, causing a drawn, haggard look about his face, and the passages of his nose and his mouth became swollen so that breathing was difficult.
 At 2:30 o'clock he had reached point within three miles of Cape Griz Neg. Here he comm menced to splash wildly and to swim in a circle, calling for light. It was evident to those in the boat that he was blinded by the salt water, which had got into his eyes, and they tried to persuade him to get on board. This he refused to do, whereuppn he was forcibly dragged into the boat, when he immediately became uncon- scious, but upon being rubbed gradu- ally revived.
 Owing to the change of tide the boat had great difficulty in reaching Calais. It arrived there, however. at 5:S0 O o'clock.
 AS the circumstances precluded the possibility of Independent reporters be- ing taken aboard the boat for the trip, the five occupants of the craft which accompanied McNally made affldavits in the presence of the American consul describing the feat.
 McNally quickly recovered from his exhaustion and he crossed to Dover by the midday boat. Tonight he looked fairly well, considering what he had gone through. In an interview this evening he said:
 T discovered that the channel was really much longer than thought and found the currents to be all that Boyn- ton, Webb and the others told me. am of the opinion that it is impossible for anyone to swim from Dover to Calais as the currents would all be against them I shall make no more attempts this year, and will probably sail for home on August T."