PLUCKY EFFORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 58, 6 February 1928, Page 6

PLUCKY EFFORT

ATTEMPT TO SWIM COOK STRAIT. EIGHT MILES COVERED. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, February 5. After a plucky effort, Ronald John Webster, who essayed to swim Cook Strait from Terawhiti, 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 two hours and a quarter, and covering about eight miles. Although 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 he would benefit by a northerly set of the tide at that hour, but as is often the case. Cook Strait was’ not amenable to the rules of the tide and a strong southerly set was pnrountered, which made the swimmer’s task doubly hard The distance between terawhiti and Wellington Head is estimated in a straight line at fifteen miles, though, •on account of tides, a 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 landed, was cold and dull, and there was a fog in evidence, which obscured the Soutli island, though The Brothers islands were visible. the water was very cold, and there was at the time quite a chop m evidence. Prom the outset Webster spoke only twice and on each occasion it was to remark on the cold,. He was e <i from time to time with egg flips and bovril, which he consumed in the water. He was covered with tallow as some protection from the cold, but it was onvious to all on the accompanying launch in their greatcoats, that tlie cold was too intense tor any swimmer to face for an extended time. Swimming a strong double overarm stroke witn scissors and crawl kicks alternating, Webster made good progress trom the outset, though tne southerly current steadily carried him along the North Island coast in. the direction of Wellington. By 9.50 lie 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 Karori Light and The Brothers. He then encountered rough water southwest of Terawhiti, and this held him up for some time, while he was now in the full grip of the southerly set, and 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 lie reported that the water was colder than ever. At 11.20 he exhibited signs of distress and took the first rest since the start by floating. The dingy urns manned, and at 11.26 Webster was hauled aboard in a helpless condition, blue with cold and numbed all over. However, he responded quickly bo 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., aud those aboard were amazed when Webster peeled off and went in for a swim, “just to try out his muscles.” He states that he will again attempt the swim at a more favourable opportunity. AVebster is a member of the Ponsonby Swimming Club, Auckland, and a wellknown distance swimmer. He is the holder of the three mile championship and a winner of the Kellerman Cup. He created a very favourable impression among those on the launch on Saturday by his pluck and determination in the face of difficulties. /