SWIMMING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 2

SWIMMING.

The well known diver, Tommy Burns, who has safely performed many dangerous feats, having plunged from many of tha London bridges, as well as off the Forth Bridge, and once dived into the Thames from a train as it was passing over Barnes Bridge, met his death on July 6th in simply diving from the pier at Ehyl. It seems that as he was going down he turned in the air and fell on his back into the water. He did not siuk, and the tide carried him a little towards the bathing vans and then back again towards the pier. Two gentlemen then stripped, and, entering the water, recovered the body. Burns had then been in the water from fire to ten minutes. No one saw any movement as of life after he fell into the sea. The plucky diver was said to have been in failing health at the time, and this will in a measure account for his untimely and sad death. The London Sportsman of July 20th states that the 100 yds Open Handicap, swum at Manchester in conjunction with the 600 yds Championship, drew a record entry, viz.—■ 120. The Australian, "Jack" Hellings, was at virtual scratch (3sec), along with Blears and Matchett. Owing to deaa heals, seven (including Hellinge) qualified for the final. The visitor dashed off at a rare bat, and, although twice shut in, got through his men in a marvellous manner, and, swimming most determinedly, won, amidst a ecene of great excitement, by the touch. The day before the Australians were entertained, at dinner by the Osborne S.C., and on the 1 day following were guests of the English Amateur Swimming Association committee at luncheon.

The 1000 yds Northern'" Counties*" Championship of England wviS decided on the night of July 21st, on the Wear at Durham, in the presence of a large gathering of spectators. The weather was very unfavourable, as a naety drizzle prevailed, and the river was not in the best ot condition. Much disappointment existed through the non-appearance of Tyera, the holder of the title, out the presence of Derbyshire and Duckworth to a larj?e extent made up for his absence. Duckworth had a strong following, bufc praotically was never in the race. Derbyshire led. from the outset, and won easily. The time wae considerably beyond that put up at Morecdmbe Bay last year. Neither of the , Australians competed; probably conditions gdyerning the contest precluded them from taking part.