CHANNEL SWIM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 24 October 1927, Page 9

CHANNEL SWIM.

GALLANT ATTEMPT FAILS. MISS GLEITZE'S PLUCK. (BBIIISH 01TICIAJ, WIBILSSS) RUGBY, October 21. Miss Mercedes Gleitze, the London typist, who, on her eighth attempt, recently swam the Channel, is now engaged on another attempt. In her successful swim officials of the Amateur Swimming Associations and Press representatives were absent, and, owing to the questions raised regarding the authenticity of a recent swim, she is being followed to-day in a motor-boat and by a large company, including official observers, doctors, and the Press. Miss Gleitze entered the water at 4.23 this morning, and at 10.55 a.m. was in mid-Channel swimming strongly. No one has ever attempted to swim the Channel so late in the year, but the sea is calm, although the temperature is extremely low. Later. Miss Gleitze abandoned her attempt to swim the Channel owing to the intense cold when she wa.s approximately eight miles east-south-east of I>over.

UNIVERSAL SYMPATHY. EBB TIDE TOO STRONG. (At7SI7!ALIA.\- AKD N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received October 23rd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 22. Miss Gleitze concluded ono of the most amazing and courageous long distance swims ever undertaken when she was lifted from the water five miles from Dover. Universal sympathy was shown because it was realised that she had undertaken a vindication of honour following on Dr. Logan's hoax.

No swim ever attracted such attention. It was followed by a .host of witnesses. When Miss Gleitee started at 3 o'clock in the morning, the weather was overcast and cold, and breakers were rolling in with suoh force that the boats were half-filled with water. Nevertheless the swimmer was extraordinarily cheerful and despite the temperature of the water (56 degrees) she refused to swim under the lee of tho boat accompanying her, but called for a tune from a band, consisting of two musicians. They, however, were too sea-sick to comply with the request. Newspaper men thereupon struck up popular songs. The swimmer became obviously increasingly tired. Her smiles were less spontaneous and her arms and face were blue with cold. At last the critical moment came at 1 o'clock, when the strong flood tide, from which Miss Gleitee had reaped an advantage, ceased and she was being swept away by the ebb tide, which she was unable to resist. Nevertheless, the Bwimmer insisted on continuing. An hour later her trainer suggested that she give up and received an emphatic negative. She continued for another three-quar-ters of an hour, when steps were lowered from the boat, but Miss Gleitze swam away. It was not till her trainer and pilot lassooed her that, she ceased her resistance and was pulled aboard amidst a spontaneous burst of cheer' ing and sank exhausted.'

She said that it would be unsportsmanlike to cry against luck. ,"I failed, kit I am not ashamed. From the first moment I entered the water I felt cold, btit was not going to give myself away. I was taken out against my will and could have continued longer."