A Long Swim in the Thames.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3347, 29 October 1889, Page 2

A Long Swim in the Thames.

It is now just over 14 years since tliii lat'o Captain M. Webb accomplished the feat of swimming from Blackwell Tier to the Town Pier, at Gravesend, a distance of 19 miles and 2 furlongs, a performance which, until August 23, i,o one had succeeded m beating although soveral hid attempted (ho task. On that day, however, E. J. Ucddish, of H'-ighton, the well-known professional swiinmnr. not only equalled Captain Webb'sdistamis, bit exceed;d it by*sV noirlytwo furlongs. 'I he weather, fortunately, was highly ..favourable for the venture, (here being a good tide all the way, whilst the- river, in oonsequenco of the dock labourers' strike, was singularly free from traffic, as with but few exceptions the wharves and warehouses were deserted. The swimmer also received some slight assistance from tho fact, that what prevailed was in his favor, whilst the surface wator was unusually smooth. At half-past •hree the swimmer took the water. and going away with a long and powerful, although not pretty stroko, he rtaehed the Bockton gas works I hour 17 inins 15 sees from the start, and continuing to swim strongly, passed-Eiitli in 2 hours 18 minutes from tho comaiencerrent of the journey. Tl>e Co nwall tra'uing ship was jused in i hours 55 minutes, the boys tu:u. ing out and giving the swimmer a hearty reception. Just before reaching' Grays darkness came on, and T appeared that tho 6wimmei would be ctimpelled to-gixe up, asiiad been (be. case with most of his predecessors at A the same point. Once round the point fit howovor, thy tide was running rauoh ~ better, and fieddish, swimming with great determination, pasted Gi»ys Point, 4 hours, B.mins., 30 sees;, from the start, and everything looked favourable,with perhaps tho exception of the darkness, Nearer and nearer Keddish approached to the goal, and at 5 hours.4 mins 38.1. seos. from tho commencement, ho had equalled Webb's performance, and going on he swam a couple of furlongs further, aud then left the water, aftar swimming 5 hours 11 mins, 50 sens., the full distant covered be'ng 13 niileij 5 furlonas, or 440 yards greater than that of Webb, although the laUer'u time to the point at which he hft the water was considerably quicker. Keddish now entertains hopes of emulating Captain Webb's Channel swim, though it is not probable l» will make tho attempt this year.