A PLUCKY SWIMMER

Evening Star, Issue 15394, 19 January 1914, Page 7

A PLUCKY SWIMMER

WHITE ISLAND REACHED AFTER TWO HOURS' SWIM.

Under the auspices of the Pacific Surfbathing Club, their caretaker and instructor, Professor E. H. Olds, yesterday attempted and successfully accomplished tho difficult feat of swimming to White Island. It was generally Itnown in town that Mr Olds intended starting out on Sunday morning, and consequently over a thousand people gathered on beach and hill to witness this unusual spectacle. The morning broke beautifully fine, and the weather conditions could hardly have been more promising. In attempting a swim, of so liazardous a nature it was, of course, essential to the attempt that the swimmer be accompanied by a boat. Mr John M'GTath had been spoken to with regard to the matter, and he interviewed the Otago Rowing Club, of which he is a life member, with tho idea of obtaining one of their boats. Tho club put the use of tho smaller of their two pleasure boats at Mr M'Grath's disposal, and this was carted to St. Clair on Saturday in readiness for Launching on tho following morning. At 11 o'clock a start was made to launch the little boat, and tho Pacific Surf-bath-ing Club, Under Mr T. Hughes, gave valuable assistance in getting her under way. The boat's crew consisted of Mr Fred. Foster (ex-captain of the North End Boating Club), Mr John M'Grath (Otago Rowing Club), and a ' Star' reporter. Just as the boat was plunging through the rollers a big wave splashed in, but good management of the oars and rapid bailing put matters to rights, and the boat was soon in placid waters beyond the fh"6t line of breakers. Professor Olds then entered the water near the St. Clair Baths, and struck out, using tho trudgoon stroke through the surf. The breakers he came up with the boat and settled down to a steady breast-stroke. Opinion on shore seemed to be general that the swimmer would be swept northwards by the sweep of the ebbing tide, but this was proved to be contrary to fact, as a decided southerly set carried the boat and swimmer southwards. Mr M'Grath, who had charge of the oars, thought it advisable to head straight for the northern point of the island, ajid altered his course accordingly. The- swimmer at this time was going strong and doing about 34 strokes to the minute. Mr Foster took an opportunity of securing a photo, of the man in the water. A sharp look-out was kept throughout for the predatory shark, but there was no sign of this "ugly customer, and boat-hook and revolver were happily not required. Two pairs of oa.rs were taken, but only one was used. The lifebelts on board were lent bv Mr F. J. Sullivan.

About halfway "a light breeze set in from the. N.E., and the choppy water did not tend to make things easier for the swimmer. He stuck manfully to his task, however, and made no complaint, although at times he remarked on the coldness of the water. The boat and swimmer were within close proximity of the island when tho small boat began to feel the heavier sea caused by the waves receding from the rocks. And as it was plainly seen that a lauding was altogether out of the question, it was decided to eland off. The swimmer, though still going fairly strong, was inclined to be a bit sick ; a-n<f when" the island was practically reached it was thought wiser to take him into the boat. This was safely accomplished, although the liberal application of cocoanut oil made him somewhat slippery to handle. After having a good look at tho island, the sea birds on which seemed to be much perturbed at the unexpected presence of the boat, the return journey was commenced The swimmer was much fatigued with tho. constant buffeting of the waves, and was suffering from the prolonged cold. A vigorous massage, howover, coupled with the bright rays of the sun, soon brought him round. After 30 minutes' good rowing the outer line of breakers was reached. The time was judged nicely, aud Mr M'Grath brought the boat through the surf on an even keel without shipping n drop of water. Willing hands received the boat as she came into the shallows, and a large CTowd greeted the successful swimmer with rousing cheers, and congratulations were showered upon him. A collection on behalf of the swimmer wasjtaken up on shore, and realised a respectable sum. It is mairv years since this swim was attempted, and some doubt prevails as to whether the island has been before reached by any other swimmer. Professor Olds is to be congratulated on his pluck and endurance; and it certainly is a great tribute to his swimming powers that he successful attained the object .with which he started out. A few years will probably elapso before the distance will be again covered. It must not be thought, however, that this is by any means .>n easy swim, nor could it be accomplished .by other than a powerful and expert swimmer. And even then the presence of a wellmanned boat is essential for safety, a-s an adventure of this description is prone to many accidents. Nor must surf-bathers be over-confident and swim out beyond the breakers, for this is a risky proceeding for even good swimmers.