FRENCHMAN’S FEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 82, 17 January 1928, Page 6

FRENCHMAN’S FEAT.

CHANNEL CROSSED ON SEA CYCLE. CALAIS TO DOVER IN 6) HOURS. A young Frenchman, Rene Savard, arrived at Dover on November 17 on a water cycle, having pedalled bis way across the Channel from Calais in hours, states the Dover correspondent of the “Daily Express.” His craft, which has now added a new record to the list of Channel crossings, is simply a bicycle set on floats As the rider pedals he works a small paddlewheel. M Savard, who conies' from lans, started from Calais in the morning, accompanied by a motor-boat. Ihe sea was then smooth, but it was rough when lie arrived at Dover, and there was a cold wind. Just outside Dover Horbour the motor launch broke down,, and his arrival was thus delayed by an hour. When he reached Dover M. bavard was completely exhausted, and wasimmediately taken to his hotel and put to bed. He was congratulated by the Mayor of Dover, who signed a certificate proving the authenticity of the novel feat. . „ Dover lias amusing memories ot a strange craft in which Edward lierney, a Salford hairdresser, and, his navigator William Mattbewson,. sm 80-year-old Crimean veteran, proposed to pedal across the Atlantic. That craft capsized in harbour, and nearly drowne one of the crew. We have, however,, beard here of successful, attempts on the Clyde to build water-cycles on ; floats, but to M. .Savard, hdongs the • credit of the first cross-Channel cycling Teat.