THE LATE CAPTAIN WEBB.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1116, 21 September 1883, Page 3

THE LATE CAPTAIN WEBB.

The remains of tlii.-s brave but unfortunate swimmer w ere found floating in Niagara River, a sort distance below Lnweaton, on July 28. Wnen found, tile body was lying in the position assumed by Webb while swimming. Tile remains were som'-what decomposed. During the examination at the inquest, a raege 1 cut was discovered on the head, 3in in length, and opened sufficiently to expose the skulk It ha I the appearance of 1 eing cut by rock or other hard substance. This wound was considered sufficient in itse.f to have caused death, and it is thought he sank immediately after receiving it. The left shoulder and both eyes were badly bruised and discoloured Hie face was also biuiscd in places, but retained a somewhat placid expression. Although the verdict of drowning was rendered by the jury, the opinion was general that Webb had beeh literally crushed to death by the tremendous power of the Whirlpool. A movement Was made in London oti August 12 to erect a memorial to the unfortunate swimmer, and at the same time to raise a fund for his widow and family, who reside in B ston, Mass. Undeterred by Captain Webb’s fate, Captain J. B. Rhodes, also a noted swimmer, gave notice on Aliens- 5 that within 9D do vs he intended t'bs c the rapids ai d whirlpool. Professional swimmers in London have arranged a series of parfoi mances for the benefit of the widow of C ipcain Webb, The common people are said to have been exceedingly proud of Webb, particularly be« cause, of his success in swimming the English Channel. They have made manifestations of grief over his loss as a man, regarding him as the finest development of the English athlete At the Crystal Palace on the nicht of July 23, at a grand exhibition of fireworks, which had long boon preparation. the whole audience hissed a fine pic ture of Niagara Palis because it did contain a portrait of Captain Webb. Murphy Preston. a butcher, who had often challenged Web", and who always contended that Webb would never succeed in breasting the Niagara whirlpools, also met with a death similar to that which overtook the captain. Murphy on more than one occasion challenged Webb to dare with him the terrible whirlpool. Murphy undertook to swim this pool on the very day the captain attempted his Niagara feat. Both were drowned in tho same way Captain Webb’s widow came to Niagara to receive li T husband’s bo. Iv. She was taken to the fatal whirlpool where lie met his death, and is reported to have made light of tho difficulties of the umlertakimi. Poor Mat,’ she said, “must have struck a rock in diving, nr else he would have been all right. Why, t could swim that myself.”