CAPTAIN WEBB ON HIS CHANNEL SWIM.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2149, 23 November 1875, Page 2

CAPTAIN WEBB ON HIS CHANNEL SWIM.

Captain Webb rose the next morning not much the worse for the unaccustomed ordeal of the previous night; and on' Friday afternoon he passed through one of a similar character at the Yacht Club Rooms. In returning thanks for the toast of his health, which was drunk most eu-

thusiastieally, at the Yacht Club, he said :—- * ..'"..

" Mr Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen,— I have to thank you kindly for the cordial reception you have given me to-day and to assure you that I hope I have deserved it in one way, for I did my%wimming afiair in an honest English way-(loud cheers) —and had a very hard task. Towards the last the sea was rather rough,,and I got nearly blinded by the spray; but I am glad I was able to finish by walking to shore on Calais sands (Cheers). I thank you for the reception you have given me to-day (Cheers)." ... „/ ; . The captain is by no means unduly elated at the success of his attempt. He declares himself quite satisfied with .what h* has done, and intends to retire to his home in the country for some time to take a rest before entering the swimming world again—that is to say, if he- ever decides to do bo. He describes the last three Lours of the swim as " cruel work," as undoubtedly it was. The drowsiness at first was almost impossible to fight against, and there was no land in sight, though he was close?to it.. The water did not get inioJfais mouth much; but one, eye was " Intfrely closed by the buffeting of the salt waves, and it was with; difficulty that ;-he could see with the other., But, as he says. he intended to go on at any price, and it wa& only by the most dogged pluck and superhuman strength that he compassed the last stage of his wearisome course.

T&B WELCOME HOME. • Capta"n Webb left Dover, on Saturday last, for■London/by the noon train on the South-Eastern Wlway* on his way to his father's house at Irohbridgej Salop. As soon as it was known he was about to

start,, a large crowd assembled, and uppn the Captain appearing they' cheered him in a most hearty manner. Some inenibers of the baiid of the Dover company of the sth East Kent Rifle Volunteers followed the fly to the station, pleying "See, the : Conquering hero Conies,". . .... His return home was the occasion of much rejoicing. The gallant swimmer went from London to Wellington station, where he was enthusiastically, received. Escaping from the; pressing: attention of tie populace of the town he d'ove in a carriage the remainder, of the.distance. The whole route, however* was like a triumphal procession. At the turnpikegate' " at ; Goalbrookdale, a handsome trmmphal arch, illunairiated with Chinese lanterns, was the rendezvous of a number of spectators, who waited patiently for ■ome hours in order to greet their old neighbour. At ten p.m. the carriage arrived, and, a number of torches being lit,' a most imposing procession, headed by a. band of music, was formed to his home. Before starting, an address was presented in the name of the people, The captain, who.was evidently astonished at the intense enthusiasm displayed, said: —•■• ■

"I beg to thank you for your very great kindness, and I can only say that I feel very proud to have this address, and I am pleased to come back to the: old place .where I was brought up (I pud cheers." '."'. . ,

The procession then moved off, after hearty, iandrshakiifg from, those who could get near enough to the carriage.; The whole scene had a most picturesque appearance, being illuminated by a number of torch-bearers and Chinese lanterns.

England's testimonial

Captain Webb bad simply two bets on the result of his great swim, to use a colloquialism, " for the sake of the $hing." One was for £20 to £1, in which he backed himself, and the other was for £50 to nothing, which was laid against him by the proprietors of Land and Water, with the object of giving him encouragement to proceed with his attempt, and, if he should succeed, to defray the expenses necessarily consequent upon it. The feeling uppermost in every heart found prompt expression in the following letter by Lord Stanhope to the Times: — " The recent feat of Captain Webb, so wholly unparalleled at any other'time and place, and-so honourable to his own gallant spirit and powers of strength and endurance, is also gratifying to those who desire that the taste for' manly exercises should continue to prevail among us, and to counteract the depressing influence of the arduous studies which these times require. From all these points of view I cannot but think that a public memorial of this noble exploit might justly be presented to Captain Webb; and, if .this suggestion stiould be "thought deserving of general favour, I shall be very glad to join the list with a subscription of £10."

The members of the Stock Exchange, with, generous, alacrity, had subscribed £300 to the Webb Testimonial by Monday. The fund was added to by the contributions of the visitors to the Alexandra Palace on Saturday last, amounting to £35. The president of the Liverpool Mercantile Association;sent in; his £25. By jßFednesdiiy last the fund had amounted to upwards of £1000. In short, throughout the kingdom there has been a general desire to show in some tangible way the nation's appreciation of Captain Webb's unexampled feat; and those of ourj#eaders who may" wish to contribute feeir mites to the 'fund should send their subscriptions to Mr William Waddell, honorary secretary.of the London Athletic Club and of the Webb Testimonial Fund, Mansion House-chambers, 11, Queen Victoria street, City. „