Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-06
25,OOO MILES FACE
TO THE SKY

exploits of Capt. Paul Boyton,
condensed by Silas Thorla).
In the year 184S, there was born
in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa, boy
who was very much like other boys,
only little more so. He had an
uncomfortable passion for the water
and he couldn't be kept away from
the river
To curb this desire, his parents
sent him to a school farthest remov-
ed from the rivers around that city.
His failure to report at roll CALL to
sport his favorite element, got him
into many an argument with his
father, who frequently emphasized
his remarks with a piece of barrel
stave, but no amount of flaming
the pants could cure the boys in
nate desire to be in or near the wa
ter. Finding it impossible to keep
him out of danger, he was sent to a
college in the Allegheny mountains.
where he did apply himself dill
gently to his studies and gradual
ed in navigation at an early age
In 1864, he joined the navy, and
although young, he served faithful
ly until the close of the Civil war.
He then applied himself to subma-
rine diving, which he followed for
a while. From 1867 to 1869 he
was in the lifesaving service on the
Atlantic coast, where he saved II
lives. In 1872 he was in the dia-
mond fields of South Africa In
1873 he re-entered the life-saving
service and continued in it until his
famous leap from vessel off the
coast of Ireland. In 1874 he com
menced his career in a rubber suit
His love for the water, and his pas
sion for adventure caused him to
adopt this novel and unique way of
vOyaging
In our previous article we gave
the reader some idea as to the con-
struction of his suit. A little more
on that point may not be amiss The
suit was made Of the finest vulcan
lied rubber divided in two parts,
the junction being at the waist The
pantaloons terminated in a steel
band, over which the bottom of the
tgnic, or jacket, fits with a strap
over this band, thus making water !
tight joint. On each thigh, breast. |
back and back of the head were air.
tight compartments with rubber |
tubes inflated with air from the /
mouth When incased the only part |
of the body exposed was the face. |
His position in the water was on the !
back and he propelled himself, feet !
foremost, with a double bladded |
paddle, which, if used vigorously, |
he could attain considerable speed. |
He could, at will, assume an upright /
position. For the purpose of taking
provision, and other necessities, he
had little boat, Baby Nine" 80 I
inches long with a water tight COW
er. 1t was secured to his waist with
tow-line and followed. but he
could pull it up to his side in case
there was something he wanted
Everything was arranged in the
most compact form.
How did he make his start, his
debut? Well, here it is; On the
10th of October, 1874, Paul Boyton,
whose exploits made news for most
of the papers among the civilized
nations. sailed from New York on
the National Line steamer, Queen"
tCapt Bragg)) with the intention
OF casting himself into the sea when
ESQ miles off the American coast
HlS NGo loi lne puIpOSc VI iutFO-
ducing his life-saving dress to the
world. However, his plan was
frustrated by the officials, who had
nc faith in the merits of his rubber
suit. They decided that the attempt
would be suicidal, SO when Boyton
ascendcd the deck, clad in his out
fit, he was forcibly prevented from
jumping overheard Thus he be-
came an unwilling passenger across
the Atlantic. However, he finally
won Capt. Bragg over to the merits
of the dress, and he consented to
Boyton jumping overheard when off
the coast of ireland. He did so,
some time in the night, and soon af-
terWard furious gale sprang up
and he was driven many miles sea-
ward. He Used his paddle with all ,
the speed and strength he could i
and early in the morning
he perceived that he was near [
breakers and the rock-bound coast /,
Df Skibbereen loomed up before him. ,
His danger was still great with a
great rock wall before him. Fortu- {