The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-10-15

1t appears that r. w. Burgess, who
was recently reported by cable to have
succeeded in swimming across the Esn-
glish Channel had already made two
unsuccessful attempts this season. The
second of these is described by the
Daily Mail of Augut 8, as follows:
After a battle with Channel tides and
Channel waves lasting for fourteen
hours and three-quarters, Thomas Will
liam Burgess, the Yorkshireman, gave
UP last evening his third attempt to
swim the Channel when less than fve
miles from the French coast, after hav-
ing covered 16 1-2 miles in direct
line, and drifting twenty-nine.
He entered the water at six o'clock
in the morning at Lydden Spout, near
Dover, and left it at a quarter to nine
in the evening, when just five miles
north of Sangatte, near Calais. In
Yesterdays effort he came nearer to
success than ever before.
Burgess left the water on account OF
the cold and because the flood stream
was forcing him away from Calais. 10
have reached there would have meant
at least three hours longer insthe water,
and this he did not feel equal to-
His progress, though faster than on
his second attempt a fortnight ago.
was not so speedy as during his hrst
essay. His strained leg had taught MIN
a lesson, and he did not force the pace
Burgess was never helpless, and even
at the last his stroke was still an in
telligent effort and not a mere auto
matte movement. When he left Dover
before six o'clock yesterday morning
in the tug for the starting point he
n hot he n- ever
he was in his life.
AS the tug neared Lydden Spout
black specks of humanity could be seen
crawling down the precipitous elm
path and along the beach to the start
ing point In a suit of lard half an
inch thick and wearing an indiaru6-
Der cap with a green celluloid visor,
Burgess was rowed ashore for the
start.
Faint cheers came from the beach as
the swimmer waded out and took his
first strokes at exactly six o'clock. the
weather undoubtedly favored the at
tempt. The wind scarcely exceeded
gentle breeze. He struck off at the
rate of twenty-four to the minutes, as
against twenty-seven at the last at
tempt, but with the same unhurried,
powerful stroke. He swan on his right
side, but did not lift his arm above
the water as he made his stroke. The
temperature of the water was g. and
of the air s.. He neared Dover on the
food stream clearing the harbor by
mile and a half
Burgess had scarcely been In the
water half an hour before he asked for
some soup. When a feeding bottle OF
infantile shape was passed to him, he
mir
it was calm enough to use proper cup.
His timetable was as follows:- 6.35-A-
mile from shore 715-A mile and
from shore. Immediately
off Dover. a. m.-31z miles swum-
three and half drifted.
At midday he was greatly cheered by
a visit from his wife, who came out
from Dover in a motor launch. Waving
his arm cheerfully, he cried, Have
some lunch on the tug, my dear; there
is plenty for you"
Throughout the day he was quite
shatfy, save for one or two periods Of
depression Once he was anxious about
clearing the dreaded offset" near
Erfsnez. When treasured. however. by
his own calculations he called out with
obvious relief, That's all right. III
have some cherry tart"
The final stage of the fight was most
depressing At half-past six Burgess
was between five and six miles from
he French coast. but for two and
1alf hours the flood swept him parallel
With the shore and he gained but half
| mile. only to lose 1t again later on
During this final stage Of the swim he
asked for songs. and the Press repre-
;entatives on board the tug obliged
i'm to the best of their ability.