The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-26
H0LBElN'S PLUCKY SWIM.
IN Heavy Sea and Strong Wind He
Makes Nearly Across the English
Channel


Makes Nearly Across the English
Channel.
Dover. Eng, Aug. 25.-Mr. Holbein,
who yesterday, the anniversary of
Capt. Webbs swim from Dover to Ca
lais, started from Cape Oris Nez, be-
tween Bologne Sur Mer and Calais, in
an attempt to swim to Dover. narrow
ly escaped drowning. He covered the
course to a point within six miles of
Dover and then, collapsed after having
been in the water twelve hours and
forty-six minutes. The tug which ac-
companied him took him from the wa
ter and brought him to Dover this
morning. He was carried to a hotel
in a semi-conscious, precarious state,
and subsequently, on the advice of his
medical attendants, was removed to a
hospital, where he lay for some time
in a serious condition. 1t was found
that his eyesight had been badly af-
fected by the salt water.
Tonight, however, he had recovered
and he announced his intention to re-
new the attempt. His exploit was very
remarkable, considering the roughness
of the sea, and has established a rec
ord.
He wore a white cap that covered
his head and partially protected his
face, and also a mask from brow to
nose in order to protect his eyes. He
found it impossible to take solid food
without swallowing sea water and he.
therefore, subSisted mainly on raw
eggs, as he was able to suck these
while lying on his back. He also took
hot milk from a feeding bottle. The
sea was heavy and there was a nasty
swell His attendants became seasick.
cum unit n Arft al wA1g s,1
ternately on his back and on his
breats, making good pace. The first
six miles from Cape Gris-Nez were
covered in two hours and twenty-five
minutes. At sundown he found great
difficulty in keeping a straight course
Much of the time he swan with his
eyes closed, owing to the irritating ef-
fects of the salt water.
Instructions to Holbein were shout
ed through a magaphone and powerful
acetylene lamps were lit to guide him.
In the middle of the channel the wind
was fresh and the water very rough.
AT the end of the sixth hour he was
swimming well, but he began to COM
plain of an injury to his left hip sus-
tanned on the rocks at Cape Gris-Nez,
but not mentioned before. He was at
this time about six miles off the British
coast and Capt Lambert was of the
the next tide. He continued to swim
WELL mainly on his back.
After II o'clock he was once lost for
five minutes, a big wave having swept
over him. He kept going steadily, but
during the tenth and eleventh hours
a westerly tide drifted him much out
of his course, and it was evident that
the heavy seas were having bad ef-
feet. During the twelfth hour his
stroke weakened considerably. He was
swimming with breast low in the wa
ter and head much down. He was max
ing almost no progress and now seem
ed unable to grasp the directions given
him Twice he turned completely
around, making for the French shore.
At 4:20 a. m a council was held on
the tug and it was decided to take him
out of the water. He was turning like
a top and hopelessly blind. If he had
been left longer he would have gone
down.
Allowing for his zig-zag course it is
estimated that he swan twenty-siX
miles. When he was taken from the
water Dover was about five miles
north-northeast. His next attempt he
promises to make next year.