WELLINGTON HARBOR SWIM

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1929, Page 6

WELLINGTON HARBOR SWIM

WEBSTER’S FAILURE. TO GROSS WELLINGTON HARBOUR (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, February 10. The coldness of the water, despite absolutely perfect weather conditions, and the fact that when a little more than half way across he got in the wash of boats that were cruising round, and swallowed a lot of salt water, compelled R. J. Webster, ol Auckland, to give up his Wellington Harbour swim at a point one mile from Eastborune. The distance across was seven miles. Webster started strongly from Wei lington, striking 58.60 strokes a min ute, at 10.30 a.m. About half way across it was generally considered that he would not succeed. He was given something to eat twice, and he grimly stuck to his task. About 2 p.m. Webster called: “Something to eat! Something to eat!” Then almost immediately lie lav in the water as though drowning which, in fact, lie would have done had help not been nearer. J. Walker, of the Milford Surf Club, who was rowing the accompanying dinghy, immediately dropped his oars and dived overboar an swam to the rescue, getting Webster, who was almost unconscious into the dinghy. This proved a difficult job to Messrs M. Blomfield (Webster’s trainer), Walker and H. Warner (a pressman). The ordinary difficulties of getting a heavy man aboard were considerably added to by Webster’s thick coating of grease. Willing hands aboard the yacht Vagabond, owned by Air A. M. Holmes, massaged Webster, and it was some time before be showed signs of life. Webster said later that the water was much colder than the Auckland water. It is almost safe to say that this experience will show Webster the impossibility of swimming Cook Strait, which he hopes to attempt next week-end. WEBSTER NOT IN GOOD FORM. WELLINGTON, February 11. Webster’s comapnion. Walker, stated after the swim yesterday that the trainer and the swimmer himself had considered Webster was not in his best condition before starting yesterday and this was the first time he had cracked up in several long distance swims. He is well again and intends to repeat the attempt in a few daAs. He also will try Cook Strait as soon as he is fit and conditions are good, probably in a week or ten days’ time. They would profit by experience yesterday and make provision for proper feeding. Just before retiring to lied last night Webster said he would make another attempt to swim the harbour in a few days, this time beginning from Day’s Bay and taking the cold and more difficult water first.