NOVEL AQUATIC FEAT AT LOUGH NEAGH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1176, 10 May 1884, Page 3

NOVEL AQUATIC FEAT AT LOUGH NEAGH.

What must be considered as a novel feat was accomplished on recently by a Liverpool diver named Walsh in the waters of Lough Neagh. The event had been the topic of general conversation for some time past in the neighborhood of Lurgan, where, according to the statement contained in the placards circulated through the town, Walsh, who is stated to be a native of Derryadd, was to take up bis residence a few days previous to the time when the novel proceeding was to take place. £3OO a side was announced to be staked on the accomplishment of the feat, the party on the other side being a man named Quinn, hailing from Glasgow. By a very large number of the residents in the district the matter was looked upon as a good joke, very few believing in its genuineness ; but all donbts were dispelled when on Saturday the performer arrived in Lurgan with the necessary outfit for the task. During the day considerable interest was manifested in the movements of Walsh, who is a tall, well-built man. In the afternoon he proceeded to one of the points between which the feat was to be carried out—viz., Kinnego Bay, and walked a miles under water as a preliminary trial. On Sunday, it is stated" that the'same task was ret and completed. Long before one o’clock, the hour announced for the contest, if it may be so described, the banks of the lough was thronged with spectators. The track marked out was from Kinnego Bay Jto Ardmore Point, a distance of

four iiufl !i :vi f miles. At the former pliice a steam launch, two lighters, and about 100 boats were in attendance to take those who were willing to spend the passage money to Ardmore Point, the placo agreed upon for the start. Walsh did not reach the place until halfpast three o’clock, at which hour ho entered the water fully equipped for the journey. Provided with a pole about seven feet long he disappeared b-.math the surface, but whether he reached the bottom and waded on terra firma, or simply pushed himself along with the pole referred to, none of the spectators were in a position to offer a decided opinion. Ho was accompanied by a small boat, fitted with an air pump, to which was affixed the tube conveying the air to the voyager, and at half-past six o’clock, according to the terms of the challenge, which provided that he was to complete the journey in seven hours, and keep altogether under the surface, he reached the landing point, taking about three hours to walk the distance laid down. A large number of visitors had come in boats from Portadown and other places to witness the exploit, and as Walsh proceeded from the lough towards Lnrgan he was followed by large crowds.