New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-26
SWAN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
THE FEAT PERFORMED BY CAPTAIN
WEBB REPEATED BY A BOSTON MAN.
HE REACHED POINT OFF CAPE GRIz NEz-
BLINDED BY SEA WATER THERE. He HAD
TO BE HAULED ABOARD THE
ACCOMPANYING IJGGER

London July &-Peter McNaiy, the Boston
swimmer. who was scheduled to make an attempt
TO swim the English Channel on July 4, teegrapheu
to the Associated Press to-day from Calais that ne
swan the Channel yesterday. He says that lie
started from Dover at II 80 o'clock yesterday morn
ing and was in the water fifteen hours. In which
time he covered thirty-hve miles. He landed at
23O o'clock this morning at a point three miles
from Cape Griz Nez
McNaliy left the Admiralty Pier at Dover in the
presence Of crowd Of onlookers at II 20 o'clock,
intending to go merely for trial swim. He wore
blue tights. on which were pinned miniature Amer
lean and English flags. lugger manned by two
local sailors. accompanied him. McNallys trainer,
Brown. Of Boston; the proprietor of music hall at
Dover and one London journalist were also aboard
the accompanying boat.
The temperature Of the water was ca degrees.
McNally swan steadily at the rate Of one and one
half miles an hour. At point four miles out the
temperature was found to have fallen TO 62 degrees
and the weather had become extremely foggy, 30
INA M,ha' great care was necessary TO avoid get'ihe III
the way OF numerous passing steamers; -, D,
srs ss IN miles s onl ne fog lifted ana de snI ~au anu
nopnced his determination ny to cross the chan,
mel he had been heading direct for Calals' Dut
place nearly off Folkestone There he took re-
Treatments consisting of beef extract and ginger
and a long piece Of American chewing tobacco
which. he says, prevented his tongue from swelling.
He swan almost continually with breast stroke.
with occasional changes TO a side stroke for reliei;
but he never swan on his back. that, he explains,
interfering with the action Of the muscles.
Ships were constantly sighted. and at o'clock
and half hours later he had passed the Yarne,
which proved Captain Webbs greatest difficulty
when he attempted to swim the Channel Through
out the day the sun hidden by clouds, so that IT
the set. boat drew nearer 10 McNaly. so
as to be close at hand in case anything should
happen.
At 10 o'clock McNally began to show signs of ex-
haustion but pluckily continued at his task. From
this time until o'clock the temperature OF the
air and gradually lowered. McNally suffered
severely. the swelling of 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.
came swollen. that breathing difficult
At 2S0 o'clock he had reached a point within
three miles of Cape Griz Nez. There he began IN
splash wildly and to swim in n circle calling for
was blinded by the salt water. which had got into
his eyes. and they tried persuade him to get on
board. He refused TO give up his task. and he was
forcby dragged into the boat where he immedi-
ever. he gradually revived. Owing TO "A change
of tide the boat had great difficulty in reaching
Calais. il arrived there. however at 80 o'clock.
AS the circumstances precluded the possibility Of
for the trip the five occupants of the craft which
accompanied McNaly made afidavits in the pres
ence of the American Consul describing the feat.
McNally quickly recovered from his exhaustion.
night he looked fairly well; considering what he
had gone through. He said: Il discovered that
the Channel is really much longer than | thought.
and found the currents to be all that Boyton.
that it is impossible for any one to swim from
Dover to Calais, the currents would all he
against him. ! shall make no more attempts this
year. and will probably sail for home on August l.