CROSSING SYDNEY HARBOUR ON A ROPE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 9, 30 April 1877, Page 2

CROSSING SYDNEY HARBOUR ON A ROPE.

The Australian Blondin's performance on a rope thrown across Middle Harbour is tbjus described by the Sydney Morning Herald of March 30 :— A partj of gentlemen were invited yes-* terday afternoon t& have a qniet view of Mr L'Estrange's experimental performances on the tight rope which he had stretched from cliff to cliff at Middle Harbor. Starting from the Circular Quay at a little after two o'clock, an hour's pleasant steaming in the Britannia

brought the party to one of the most ptetutesque localities thai can be con-. ce»*ed— vistas of forest and water, bold headlands, and sweeping bays opening , out m all directions, far and near. Great was the gazing ahead as the visitors ap* proached the gorge across which 'the rope had been carried, and all the field-glasses on board were brought into requisition to discern a glimpse of the thin Brown line, high in the air, alon* which Blondin was to pass on lug perilous journey. Soon they were dose to it, hemmed in By fc« forest-clad shores, and almost iaofedS ?il{'r pV pieoe of orfnanco was fired the satisfaction was had of seeing the adventurous gymnast appearing* on tb» south-cas ern end of his hempln cause! way, high up amongst the rocks and trees. Burdened as h e was. with aS£ over s.xty pounds in weigh?, he stepned on, at first slowly bat fifty and l wfff J eonQMcnco that was diseernable b* the spectators below. Afterwards he walked at a quicker pace, until he arrived at an awkward plaeo, extending nearly 20 feet, where two ropes of unequal thickness had been spliced. Here a slow pace was requisite, but after passing this spot, Mr L'llstrangp, thinking himself entitled to a rest, extended himself on the rope on his back, amidst great cheering, Spring* ing to his feet, the remainder of the arial passage was accomplished with alacrity and apparent ease until the south-western and of the ropo was approached, which, by reason of its gravitating bend, has there a risible ascent; but the.gymnast eventually passed the tops of the trees on that side, and landed on the rock to which the rope is fastened. Thus was accomplished an extraordinary feet on the tight rope, at a prodigious height above the water, and over a great distance from cliff to cliff. The time occupied, incln ling the rest, was about ten minutes. The party landed, arid clambered among tfce rocks and trees until they reached the fastening of the rope on the northwestern side of the inlet. From this spot a picturesque view was obtained of the surrounding scenery, and of the great curvature in the rope with its sixteen guys, in spite of the great tension that had been put put upon it. Though not observable from the steamer, it here looked literally up and down hill, and from that spot a walk alo.ig it seemed a most formidable undertaking. Mr L'Estrange, on alighting on terra jtrma* was greeted with tho cheers of those who by this time had assembled around him. He was quite jolty, seemed not at all exhausted, and wished that the rope had been twice as high and twice as long. The length of the rope is said to be 1430 feet, and its height above the water 311 feet.