CAPTAIN WEBB.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4601, 3 October 1883, Page 2

CAPTAIN WEBB.

Matthew Webb, who recently lost his life at the Niagara falls, was born at Irongate, near Dawley, in Shropshire, on the 18th of January. 1848. He was sft. Sin. in height, measured 43 inches round the chest, and weighed 14| stone. He learnt to swim when seven years of age, and was trained as a sailor on board the Conway training ship in the Mersey, where be saved the life of a fellow-seaman. In 1870 he dived under his ship in the Suez Canal and cleared a foul hawser, and on the 23rd of April 1873, when serving on board the Cunard steamer Russia, jumped overboard to save a hand who fell overboard, but failed, and it was an hour before he was picked up almost exhausted. For this last he received a gold and other medals. He became captain of a merchant ship, but he soon after relinquished the sea, and devoted himself to the sport of swimming. At long-distance swimming in salt water he was facileprinceps. His greatest feat Vas swimming the Channel from England to Prance in August, 1875. He' was immersed for 21h. 44min. 55sec, and had swam over 39 miles, or, according to another calculation, about 45 and a half miles, without having touched a boat or artificial support of any kind. This feat of skill and endurance excited an enthu* siasm in England which it is difficult now to realise, and which extended fat beyond the comparatively narrow circle of proficients in swimming. Webb, on his return irom Calais, was greeted as a worthy representative of English manhood and for many weeks he remained the hero of the hour. Of late his health had been so impaired as to cause considerable anxiety to his friends. Indeed, before he left England, it was quite evident that the vigorous constitution he at one time possessed had undergone a great change, and it is strange that he should have entertained the idea of swimming over the most difficult river in the world in such a condition. He was married about three years ago, and leaves a widow and two children. It was to obtain money for the support of his family that he risked his life in this last fatal attempt.