New-York tribune., 1901-08-26
HOLBEIN'S NIGHT SWIM.
GOT WITHIN FIVE MILES OF THE
BRITISH COAST
TAKEN FROM THE WATER IN A PERISH
ING coNDITIoN-wILL TRY THE
CHANNEL AGAIN.

Dover Eng Aug 25-Mr. Holbein. who yes
terday. the anniversary Of Captain webb's swim
from Dover TO Calais. started from Cape Girls
Nez Cbetween Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais), IN
an attempt TO swim TO Dover. narrowly escaped
drowning He corered the course to point
within five miles of Dover. and then collapsed,
after having been IN the water twelve hours and
forty-six minutes
The tug which accompanied him took him
from the water and brought him to Dover at .
o'clock this morning. He was carried TO hotel
in a serni-conscious precarious state, and subse-
ouently on the advice of his medical attendants
was removed to a hospital, where he lay Tor
some time in a serious condition II was found
that his eyesight had been badly affected by the
salt water
Tonight however. he had recovered. and he
announced his intention to renew the attempt.
His exploit remarkable, considering the
roughness OF the sea, and has established a
record.
He wore white cap that covered his head
and partially protected his face, and also mask
from brow to nose, in order to protect his eyes
lie found It impossible 10 take solid food with
cut swallowing sea water, and he therefore sub
sisted mainly on raw eggs, he was able to
suck these while lying on his back. He also
took, hot milk from feeding bottle
The sea was heavy and there was a nasty
swan with a powerful stroke alternately on his
hack and on his breast. making a 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 ne SWAIN
with his eyes closed, owing 10 the Irritating et-
fectx Of the salt water.
Instructions to Holbein were shouted through
a rregaphone. and powerful acetylene lamps
were lit 10 guide him. In the middle OF uhe
Channel the wind was fresh and the water very
rough. At the end of the sixth hour ne Was
sv-ivanning we'll but he began 10 complain OF
an injury TO his left hip sustained on the rocks
at Cape Griz-Nez but not mentioned before. AL
this time he was about six miles off the British
coast and Captain Lambert was Of the opinion
that he might make Dover on the next tide
He continued to swim well, mainly on his back
After IL O'Clock he was once lost for five
minutes, big wave having swept over him. He
kept going steadily, but during the tenth ana
eleventh hours westerly tide drifted him much
cut of his course. and IL was evident that the
heavy seas were having bad effect
During the twelfth hour his stroke weakened
considerably He swimming with breast
low in the water and head much down. He was
making almost no progress, and now seemed un-
able to grasp the directions given him. Twice
he turned completely around making for the
French shore.
At 42O a. m council was held on the tug.
and il was decided 10 take him out OF the water.
He was turning like top and hopelessly blind.
Il he had been left longer he must have gone
down
Allowing for his zigzag course, it is estimated
that he swan twenty-siN miles. When he was
taken from the water Dover was about five
miles north-northeaSt.
His next attempt he promises to make next
year.