Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-31
SWIMMING DOVER STRAITS.
Men Who Have Been Trying to Cross
the English Channel.

The swimmer has often tried to
bridge England and France, but Capt.
Webb is the only man VINO has been
able to anticipate King Edwards mas
ter stroke (Of another kind.
1t was Webb's desire to emulate and
surpasS Johnson that led to the con-
quest OF tine channel. Johnson in 1872
signally failed in his attempt to swim
across the Straits of Dover, and Webb,
who learned the art of swimming in the
Severn, determined to accomplish what
Johnson failed u do. The rumor thar
Webb intended to make such an adven-
ture brought the American, BOynton
on the scene, and in May, 1875. Boynton
padded across the channel in his ia.
nous patent dress.
The task Webb set himself to accom-
plish was entirely different and far
more difficult. In July. preparatory to
mis- great feat, Webb swan from Black
wall to Gravesend Pier. but his record
for this distance was broken by Hol-
Dein. Webb was compelled to ADAM
don his first attempt to cross the cham
mel owing to the strong current and
bad weather, but twelve days later. or
August "a, 1875, he pluckily dived from
the Admiralty Pier at Dover for the
great swim which has given him i'm
periShable fame. He was nearly twen-
ty-two hours III the water, and at the
end of his great task seemed none the
worse for the undertaking. The whole
English speaking world felt justly
proud of his magnificent achievement,
and SO great was the enthusiasm OF
Londoners that over 6 400 was soon
subscribed Tor him.
Webb henCeforth became the hero OF
the channel and has had Il most of imi-
tators. Unfortunately for himself, his
funds We're soon exhausted, and, al
though greatly adverse to making a
show of himself, he was induced TO give
exhibitions of swimming. So great
was his popularity that his share of Il
siXty-hour performance amounted to
some EFT. Although ne declaI ed the
opinion that ii WAS wicked to risk ones
life for the sake of gain or notorietv.
ne made the foolhardy attempt at Nj
agara which cost him mis- life.
In 1876 Cavil. tried to emulate Webb.
but sgnally failed. On August 20,
1877, he once more started to swim the
channel, but there are some doubts as
to his success; even the performance
of Webb has been challenged. In con-
sequence of the allegations against him,
Cavill made a declaration that he swan
from Cape Grisnez to the South Fore
land and received no assistance save
when taking refreshments.
Twenty Years after the event it was
asserted that CaviIi's swim was a
failure and physical impossibility. but
in 1903 DR.. Cunningham and Mr.. Gret-
ton, who accompanied him, declared
that the swim was fairly and honestly
made. that he was in the water the
whole time. and was not assisted in
any way save when taking food
In 1890 an American. Davis Dalton.
claimed that he successfully swan the
channel but this was Immediately lis
puted, and IT IS not now admitted that
he ever got across. Dalton. however.
performed ioolhardy feat (Which is
not one Tor emulation) by sprinGing off
the Ostcnd boat while it was going at
full speed
Only July "a 1900, Holmes. CT Biz
his attempt to cross the chanLel
The most exciting Of more recent at
tempts is that of MIR. Montagu Hilbein.
who, on August %, 1902, starting from
Cape GrisrteZ. managed to get within
two miles of Dover after remaining
o2A hours in the sea. Or September
1.1903, ne made his fourth attempt.
Starting from Dover he was within
seven miles Of the French coast when
he had to abandon his attempt after
being 171s hours in the water.
Weldman, who made an attempt on
September Z. was a pupil of Capt. NJ.
Webb, and like Webb principally uses
the breast stroke and is wonderfully !
buoyant.
Burgess. who did so well on the same
originally hailed from Rother- |
ham Yorkshire, but for the last TWEEN
ty wears he has been in business in
paris. He belongs to the L'belIule de
Paris Swimming Club. and has been a
prominent long distance swimmer in
France for some years. He swan
fonrth 10 Jarvis in the 1000 yards
of the world at Paris in
1900 and he has been second, third, or