The Successful Swim Across the Channell.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 October 1890, Page 2

The Successful Swim Across the Channell.

DETAILS OF DALTON'S FEAT. (Pall Mall Budget.) On a rece it M .i*day nfierno n Davis Dalton, tlie American b cksvvimmer, accumplislud his pri jected awnu ir -uj France io Euguiud landing on the beach at Folkestone at 3.28, about a thousand yards on the west side of the new Victoria Pier. The scene at thejlandiug was one of great excitement. Dalton was thoroghly exhausted, and dropped down in a faint. He' had been seen lor a long time before he touched land, and a large number of boats gathered round him, whilst thousands of people congregated on the beach. TWENTY-THRBE HOURS IN THE WATER. Dalton was accompanied by Captiiiu Eenry Dunn, who acted as Ins pilot on the lugger lifeboat Ocean King. The swim is the longest which has buen accomplished iv die Channel, the distance traversed, allowing for the drift of the tides, bei ng ahout sixty miles at least. Da!t *n covered ib in two ebbs and two floods, heing in the water altogether 23 hours and 28 minutes, and swi nmiug nearly tlie whole distance .;n his back. At 4 p in. on Sunday, the weather being favourable. Da'ton jumped off the stern of the Ocean King about a hundred yards from the liea l of Boulogne Pier, the flood tide taking him towaids Cape Grisnez, when he had to contend with a strong ebb tido setting very fast to south- west. Uo was apparently swimming quite easily, aided by one or two short rests. At 6 p.m. he was still proceeding with the ebb tide, going wMi a strong, steady stroke with his legs, never, even when resting, having beon in any ther position than on his back. At 7 o'clock Dalton was swimming well, and asked for some refreshment. He tool- a cup of bovril, made hot hy means of a spirit kettle. The weather was beautiful, and the sea comparatively smooth. Very slow progress was made off cape Grisnez on account of the strong tide. IIOW THE SWIMMER RESTED. The night was extremely cold, and small quantities of bovril were frequently taken by Dalton. Cape Grisnez still bearing north-east by east at 10.80, the rate of progress improved Dalton was still cheerful, and his leg strokes were firm and strong and slightly quicker. At 1.00 a.m. Dalton was getting away from Cape Grisnez and drawing towards the east e**d of the ridge. Ihe weather had improved and the water was smooth, but very edd for the time of the year. At 2 a.m. Dalton was making very little progress, aud took some inoic beef tea, saying lie felt r.ithor tired and cold. At 3 a in. a shower of rain cam*; on, prior to which Dalton had a long- rest, laying on bis back in the water, spreadeagle fashion At four the day began to dawn, and Dalton, though swimming fairly we 1, had drilled, and continued t*_ drift, a hmg way eastward. Tlie sea being vory cold, he took siuall quantities of beef tea frequently His rests in tin water usually lasted about ten minutes. COLD WIND AND RAIN AND LIGHTNING. At 6.30, after a hard struggle, Dalton n ached the Varne lightship, wbeu he evidently was pretty woll figged out. lie hai been in the water about 14 i hours, during which time both the sea and tho wind had ii en deoidodly cold There had been agood deal of thunder and lightning, witli occasional rain. Being spring tides, Dalton had some hard work to do in bat ing with them. At 7.30 the ebb tide was setting west from tho Varne at a great pace. Squalls of ruin were frequent, the sea and wind being vory co d. At 0..30 Dalton was setting fast towaids Hythe with a strong current. At 10.20 ho rested for ten nnhutes and complained of the coldness of th • water, but started oft' ajain much refreshed, showing veiy evident signs of fatiguo. " I am done up " At 11.30 Dalton, very much exhausted, was supplied with more bovril, his strokes appearing very much weaker. At 12.1,'., just off Hythc, Da ton, very much exhausted, had a short rest, and then proceeded, having now got the benefit of tlie ilood tide. At '2.30 Dalton was abreast of Sandgate, and in a terrible cold and exhausied condition. At three o'clock Dalton was gradnal'y getting weaker and taking longer rests, until it was quito painful to sco him in the water. Whon spoken to he only said, '' I am done up." About this tune he used tho breast stroke a little His face had now a semi-livid appparanre. Wlien within a quarter of a mile from the shore Dalton swam quite powerful again, and struck the shore at 3 28, amid the loud cheering ofthe spectators. DALTON's PREVIOUS SWIMS Dalton is an American, having! boen born in New York in 1851 Ho has had great experience in swimming i'or tho last twenty-five years, and has had long distance swims in the Pacific, Atlantic, Bay

of Biscnj, German Ocean, nnd the rivers Amazon <md Mis-is»ipi, but lie ••■ops not -... pear at any time to have swum for wagers. E ghteen months he came to England wiih the special ob eet of training I'or his bij» swim. Tiir c mo tin- ago be went to F* 1!< pst;>ne, si cc which tune lie h s sub-je.-t-d himsel*' to ase ere cour&e of trim ng, risiu. at iour ■.■'clock in tbe in ruing and nitenug tlie tea fir a two hours' swim, b side 0 spending ei*_;h h urs a day iv the Folkestone •>wiinmiiii Batlis. In nd-.ici n to this, he took lo g walks Ir m six to eight milea daily. Dalton is a thick set, muscular man, having powerful thighs and chest, and is about Cft sin in height.