New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-03
HUMAN TUCB0AT TOWS
LOADED DORY 5 MILES
EIionsky, Swimming with Hands
and Feet Tied, Gives Seven
Men Ride to Bay Ridge.
WATER II ABOVE FREEZING
Takes No Nourishment on Trip
and Completes Days Work
by Cavorting on Beach
for Moving Pictures.

Towing a boat containing seven men OF
a total weight Of 1,262 pounds, Henry
Elionsky, of New London, Conn, swan
yesterday from Brooklyn Bridge to Bay
Ridge in icy water and came back to New
York singing cheerfully and without a
mark to indicate that he had performed
the remarkable feat Only slight in
fammation of the eyes resulted from his
long and bitter exposure TO the elements.
The distance between the points is six
miles, but Elionsky had to follow the
tidal currents and his actual swimming
distance vas eight miles, which he COW
cred I'm three hours and eleven minutes
a worlds record for an undertaking of
the kind. He swan around Governor s
Island in order to take advantage OF
favorable conditions, and that greatly
heightened the distance.
But the worst is yet to come. Elionsky
was handcuffed with regulation steel
cuffs, only one link between them and
allowing no play whatever of his arms
except in straight forward motion, and
his legs were fastened together at the
ankles with heavy rope SO tightly that
II had 10 be cut off when he reached
shore.
His only possible motion was that Of a
porpoise-a series of piUnges-meanwhile
dragging the heavy boat with its load of
men. II he had ceased swimming for a
moment he would have drowned, since he
was not able to float while so handI-
capped by his letters.
Elionsky took no nourishment, and APP
of his effort as at the beginning. In fact.
before leaving the water at Bay Ridge he
cavorted for "A considerable period for the
delectation OF motion picture photograph
ers, who had accompanied him on A
launch.
Put four more men in the boat" he
called when off Governors Island, stand
ing up to see whether his request would
be complied with. Those in charge, how
ever, considered the punishment sufficient,
and refused TO allow him to add to his
burden
The nearest approach to this accom-
plshment is said to have been that of
Finkelman, of New York. who some time
ago swan two miles through Hell Gate
towing a rowboat with three men in it.
although not handcuffed or handicapped
I'm any other way.
Eionsky's family is remarkable for its
swimming ability. He has sister, Ida,
thirteen years old, who can do almost
anything that he can, and brother, Nor
ris. who holds the record for rapid and
successful downward descent in the water.
Morris tried to swim only once, and then
went to the bottom in time which he de-
iies sam" Richards, jr., or Commodore
Brown 10 equal. He is his brothers man
ager Commodore Lands, of New York,
is Elionsly's trainer and accompanies him
on all his swims
The temperature of the water yesterday
was 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There was a
strong west wind that swept Elionsky' 8
tow sidewise IN way that caused him
great trouble At times. but he always
kept the rope taut He wore a crisis
cross rope harness. to which the tow line
was attached after he jumped into the
East River at 12i9. He left the water
at p. m
So much interest was manifested in
Elionskys attempt that three policemen
maintained order at the pier from which
he started Mrs. Rachel Kirchbaum and
the Misses Lily and Edna Kirchbaum and
Miss Sarah Hirchhorn, of New York.
dared to walk an lS-inch stringer. assisted
by the police. i'm order to obtain vantage
point from which to see the start, and
numerous women begged to be taken
along They were refused, however, as
thnrn was NOT room in the launch.