FAILS TO SWIM COOK STRAIT

Evening Star, Issue 19783, 6 February 1928, Page 11

FAILS TO SWIM COOK STRAIT

WEBSTER’S GAME EFFORT WATER TOO COLD [Per United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, February 5. After a plucky effort Ronald John Webster, who essayed to swim Cook Strait from Terawhiti in the North Island to Wellington Head in tho South Island was forced to desist on Saturday by tho cold after being in the water for two hours and a-quarter, and covering about eight miles. When Webster entered the water at 9.15 a.m. it was anticipated that he would benefit by a northerly set of the tide at that hour, but as is often the case, Cook Strait was not amenable to the rules of the tide, and a strong southerly seA was encountered, which made the swimmer’s task doubly hard. The distance between Terawhiti and Wellington Head is estimated in a straight line at fifteen miles, though on account of the tides a swimmer would nrobnbly have to cover at least twice that distance. The weather when Webster took to tho water from a little beach at Terawhiti where he was landed, was cold and dull, and there was a fog in evidence which obscured the South Island, though the Brothers Islands were visible. The water was very cold, and there was at the time quite a choppy sea in evidence. From the outset Webster spoke only twice. On each occasion it was to remark on the cold. He was fed from time to time with egg flips and bovril, which he consumed in tho water, and he was covered with tallow as some protection from the cold, but it was obvious to all on the accompanying launch who were glad to huddle in their great coats that the cold was ton intense for any swimmer to face for an extended time.

Swimming a strong double overarm stroke with scissors and crawl kicks alternating, Webster made good progress from the outset, though the southerly current steadily carried him along the North Island coast in the direction of Wellington. By 9.50 ho was in the dreaded Terawhiti “Rip,” but he was clear of it within ten minutes, and at 10.19 was approximately two miles off shore on a line drawn between Karori light and the Brothers. He then encountered rough water south-west of Terawhiti, and this held him up for some time, while he was now in the full grip of the southerly set, and was making little progress towards his goal. By 11.15 he was through the worst of his troubles, and the sea was calmer, while the wind appeared to he dropping, hut ho reported that the water was colder than over. At 11.20 he exhibited signs of distress, and took the first rest—-floating —since the start. The dingy was manned, and at 11.26 Webster was hauled aboard in a helpless condition, blue with cold and numbed all over. However, be responded quickly to restoratives, and was soon completely recovered. He stated that from the outset the water was unbelievably cold, and it appeared to mimh his brain. The launch reached Terawhiti at 2.50 p.m., and those aboard were amazed when _ Webster peeled off and went in for a swim “ just to trv out his muscles.” He states that he will again attempt the swim at a more favorable opportunity.