THE CHANNEL CRAZE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 23, 12 September 1911, Page 8

THE CHANNEL CRAZE.

One of flic many people who have been trying for so long to swim tne Kngiisli Cnannell has succeeded at lasi! It is, no doubt, a splendid leal or endurance to swim 11*0111 bo 1* 1 a nee, but the amount ol energy that has been expended in attempts during the last ten years mis been out of ah proportion to the object of me enterprise (remarks the Cnristchui eh “Press”). That energy 'properly directed in other directions might have done something very useful for the community. An attempt involves a lung and careful course of training, tne employment of a boat and crow to accompany the swimmer —these being often Kept hanging about lor days, waiting lor a favourable opportunity —and elaborate arrangements tor the feeding of the swimmer on the, way. One swimmer, at least, had Ins drooping spirits revived by music, With less Hiss, the would have been more impressive. 4ho difficulty was not so much in the distance, as in the tides and currents. Several times more than the actual distance from shore to shore was covered, but tne swimmer was carried out of his course and had to give up, because of an adverse current, when success was almost within reach. It seemed impossible'to get the help both of the ebbing tide in starting and of the Hewing title or ah assisting c m rent at the other side. The conditions under which Captain Webb crossed are said to have been unusua'.ly favourable, and it may be that Burgess was similarly lorumatc.