PLUCKY ATTEMPT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 46, 6 February 1928, Page 6

PLUCKY ATTEMPT

TO SWIM COOK STRAIT WEBSTER FINDS WATER TOO COLO. WILL TRY AGAIN LATER. Blenheim, Feb. 5. After a plucky effort, Ronald John Webster, who essayed to swim Cook Strait, from Terawhlti in the North Island to Wellington Head in the South Island, was forced to desist on Saturday by the cold, after being in the water for 21 hours and covering about eight miles. Though Wellington Head is in the South island it is actually north of Cape Terawhiti, where Webster entered the water at 9.15 a.m. It was anticipated that be would benefit by a northerly set of the tide at that hour, but, as is often the case, Cook Strait did not conform to the rule of tide, and a strong southerly set was encountered, which made the swimmer’s task doubly hard. - The distance between Terawhiti and Wellington Head is estimated in a straight line at 15 miles, though on account of the tides the swimmer would probably have to cover at least twice that distance. The weather when Webster took to the water from a little beach at Terawhiti, where he was f landed, was cold and dull, and there was a fog in evidence which obscured the South Island, though The Brothers Islands were visible. The water was very cold and there was at one time quite a chop in evidence. From the outset Webster spoke only twice, and on each occasion it was to remark on the cold. He was fed from time to time with egg flips and Bovril, which he consumed in the water, and he was covered with tallow as some protection from the cold; but it was obvious to all on the accompanying launch, who were glad to buddle in their greatcoats, that the cold was too intense for any swimmer to face for any extent of time. GOOD PROGRESS.

Swimming a strong double-overarm stroke, with scissors and crawl kicks alternating, Webster made good progress from the outset, though the southerly current steadily carried him along the North Island in the direction of Wellington. By 9.50 he was in the dreaded Terawhiti “rip.” .but he was clear of it within ten minutes, and at 10-19 was' approximately two miles off shore on a line drawn between Karon light and The Brothers. He then encountered rough water south-west of Terawhiti, and this held him up for some time while he was now in the full grip of the southerly set and was making little progress towards his goal. By 11.15 he was through the worst of his troubles, and the sea was calmer, while the wind appeared to be dropping; but he reported that the was colder than ever. At 11.20 lie exhibited signs of distress ,and took the first rent, floating, since the start. The dinghy was manned and at 11-26 Webster was hauled aboard in a helpless condition, blue with cold and numbed all over. However, he responded quickly to restoratives, and was soon completely recovered. He stated that from the outset the water was unbelievably cold, and it appeared to numb his brain. . . The launch reached Te Awaiti at 2.30 p.m., and those aboard were amazed when Webster peeled off and went in for a swim, “just to try out his muscles.” He stated that he will again attempt the swim at a more favout able opportunity. Webster is a member of the Ponsonbv Swimming Club. Auckland, and is a well-known distance swimmer. He is a holder of the thrte mile championship, and a winner of the Kellerman Cup. He created a very favourable impression among those on the launch on Saturday, for his pluck and determination in the face of difficulties.