CAPTAIN WEBB’S LAST SWIM

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1357, 18 September 1883, Page 1

CAPTAIN WEBB’S LAST SWIM

Just before starting from the hotel he was asked, * Have you ever been over the ground? ‘ Yes,’ he replied, ' I went down and looked over it on July I.’ * When do your difficulties commence ?’ ‘ Don’t know. You just, know as much about it ns I do. Thero'e no place in the world like it.’ * Trusting to fortune in tho water, what plan do you intend to pursue P’ * I shall oxert myself as little as possible, and savo my strength for an effort to get above the water it I get taken under.’ ‘Do you expect to go under much P’ ‘Yes, I must go under a great deal and the question is. can J keep conscious till I get on the surface.’ ‘ How long can you remain under water ?’ ‘ I have never made this a point for practice, but I can stop under the water close on two minutes.’ * Where is the point of danger ?’ ‘ln my opinion at the entrance into the whirlpool.’ 'Docs your wife know of your intentions?’ ‘She does, but is not aware of the real danger attending it.’ ‘ Arc you receiving anything at all by way of remuneration?’ ‘ Nothing at all. The New York Central Railroad would not come to an agreement, as they did not think I would attempt it. I said 1 would, and am doing it because no other man has ever made the attempt. lam determined my reputation shall not suffer.’” When asked if he had considered the matter, he said it was a serious thing, and he did not bother much about it; he was going to chance it, and it was all luck. He had made propositions to the railway companies to have excursions, but they would not come to his terms. They thought he was going to commit suicide, and they would not encouiage him. When asked if there was anything particular he wished to have said on his behalf, he replied that the only thing was that he was not going to make anything out of it, but he wantea to show the people that he could do it. Speaking of his weight, he said he was too fat, His proper weight was 1751 b., but the extra yesterday did not hamper him, as his work was not like racing Indeed, it helped him, because it enabled him to resist the cold. At half-past three o’clock Webb started for the river, while Frank Kyle, his agent, drove round in a hackney carriage to the whirlpool, where he expected to receive the captain after his swim. lu the meantime both banka of the river were lined with people, and even the suspension bridges were crowded. Descending the cliff to the river, Webb entered a boat iu waiting, and was rowed by the ferryman, John McCloy, to the centre. He was fully composed, and seemed quite confident of success. McCloy asked him how much lie made by the Channel swim, and he said 25,000 dollars. ‘ Have you spent all ?’ was the. next question, ‘ No,’ answered Webb; ‘I have 15,000 dollare loft.’ ‘Then,’ retorted the boatman, ‘let me row ashore, and spend the rest of your money before you try this swim.’ The captain laughed, but did not answer. When the boat had arrived at a point opposite the Maid of the Mist lauding, the captain stripped, retaining only a pair of red swimming drawers of the smallest size. The greatest excitement now prevailed amongst the spectators. At two minutes past four o’clock Webb divert from the boat, and, amidst the shouts'and applause of the crowd, e ruok the water. He swam leisurely down the river, but made good progress. The rapids were first reached at the site of the New Canada Southern Bridge, the river here being about 500 feet wide. A short distance further it narrows to about 300 feet, Webb passed along the rapids at a great rate, aud six minutes after making the first plunge passed under the Suspension Bridge. At this point his speed was considerably in. creased, and the rushing waters carried him up aud down like the motion of u swing. Immediately below the bridge the river becomes exceedingly violent, and as the under streams formed by the Horseshoe Falls rise to the surface a terrible effect is produced. As the water was clear, every movement of Webb could be seen. At one moment he was lifted high on the crest of a wave, and the next he sank into the awful hollow created. He was apparently still swimming with ease and confidence. About a quarter of a mile beiow the Suspension Bridge the river becomes quite narrow and impetuous. Tlie rush of waters causes a current to set from side to side alternately. It is impossible to adequately describe tho fury of the river at this point, and thence to the whirlpool. Sometimes Webb would be struck by a wave, and for a few moments would sink out of sight. He, however, rose to the surface without apparent effort, and the spectators invariably drew a breath of relief. Once ho was drawn under by the current, Bid when he rose he was 150 yards from the spot where lie sank. His speed momentarily increased, and ho was whirled along at a frightful pace. At a quarter of a mile from the whirlpool there is a sudden bend in the river, and here the waves strike the shore with terrific force, and a perfect hell of waters is created. It is at this point that the attractive power of the whirlpool is first felt, and here the greatest danger to Webb existed. Beaching this spot he sank, and a cry of dispair went up from tho spectators. He emerged again in comparatively smooth water, and at last was seen to a; p oach the sublimely terrific whirlpool. Ti is spreads out in an almost circular direction, by a broad sweep to the west, round to the h.and back towards the south by eu«t. The river enters the south end with frightful speed. Webb was swept into the neck of t ie whirlpool. Rising on the ere 4 of the highest wave his face towards the Csnadian shore, lie lifted his hand once, and then was precipitated into the yawning gulf. For one momei.t, his head appeared above the angry waters, but he was motionless, and apparently at the mercy of the furious eddies. He paused, as if to decide on what course to take. Then he plunged beneath the waters and was not seen for s- me time. At length, some say they saw him fiercely struggling, but unable to hold his own. Ho remained visible for a few seconds, frantically beating the waves, and then, throwing up his arms, disappeared from sight Hundreds of sj e tutors watched for hours, but no sign of the unb cky swimmer was discernible, and then the conclusion was, unanimously though icluctantly arrived at that he was dead. A strong feeling of sorrow and horror prevailed.”