THE LATE CAPTAIN WEBB.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1363, 2 October 1883, Page 4

THE LATE CAPTAIN WEBB.

The remains of this brave, but unfortunate swimmer were found floating in Niagra River, a short distance below Loweston, on July 2 , When found, the body was lying in the position assumed by Webb while swimming. The remains were somewhat decomposed. During the examination at the inquest, a ragged cut was discovered cn the head 3in in leng'h, and opened sufficiently to expose the skull. It had the appearance of being cut by rock or other hard substance. This wound was considered sufficient in itself to have caused death, and it is thought he sank immediate y after receiving it. The left shoulder e. d both eyes were badly bruised and discoloureu The face was also bruised in places, but retained a somewhat placid expression. Although a verdict of drowning was rendered bv the jury, the opinion was general that Webb had been literally crushed to death by the tremendous power of the whirlpool.

A movement was madu in London on 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 Boston, Mass.

Undeterred by Captain Webb's fate, Captain J. B. Rhodes, also a noted swimmer, gave notice on August 5 that within 9U days he intended to brave the rapids and whirlpool.

Professional swimmers in London have arranged a series of performances for the benefit of the widow of Captain Webb. The common people me said to have been exceedingly proud of Webb, particularly because 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 developement of the English athlete. At the Crystal Palace on the night of July, 28 at a grand exhibition of fireworks, which had long been in preparation, the whole audience Inseed a fine picture uf Niagara Falla because it did not comain a portrait of Captain Webb. Murphy Preston, u butcher, who had often challenged Webb, and who always contended that Webb would never succeed in breasting the Niagara whirlpools, also met with a death similar io 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 the same wav.

Captain Webb’s widow came to Niagara to receive her husband’s body. She was taken to the fatal whirlpool where he met his death, and is reported to have made light of the difficulties of the undertaking. '• Poor Mat ” she said, “must have struck a rock in diving or else he would hare been all right. Why I could swim that myself.”