DEATH OF CAPTAIN WEBB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1149, 15 September 1883, Page 4

DEATH OF CAPTAIN WEBB.

Captain Webb, the well-known swimmer, has been drowned in his attempt to swim through the whirlpool and rapids of Niagara Falls. Captain Webb left the Canadian side of Niagara, below the Falls’ in a small boat, and rowed to a point about 300 yards above the old suspension bridge. He dived into the river about four o’clock in the afternoon of July 24th, and on entering the rapids was almost turned over by the force of the water. He swam the rapids, however, with great determination, being now and again caught sight of by a few of the spectators. When last seen ho was entering the whirlpool, and at first appeared to be doing well, but very shortly afterwards threw up bis arms and disappeared. He was not seen again. Captain Webb was strongly urged not to attempt a feat • universally declared to be impossible. The rapids, through which Captain Webb endeavoured to swim, are situated below the Niagara Falls, and form the upper part of the Niagara ritfor, which empties into Lake Ontario. The water, after rolling over the falls, enter a narrow gorge, through which they run with fearful rapidity. It was down this seething torrent that Captain Webb endeavoured to swim, and to those who knew the hidden rocks, the terrible eddies and whirlpools which abound in the gorge, the venture of the notorious swimmer appeared foolhardy to a degree. The gorge at one portion narrows to about 200 ft, and here the foaming flood is particularly violent in dashing against the rocky sides on either shore The rapids altogether are about fire miles in length. The various railway companies which run to Niagara Falls had subscribed 10,000 dollars for Captain Webb, and it was expected that 100,000 persons would witness the undertaking, preparations having been made to have special excursions from every town and city within reach of the railways. Captain Webb was born in Shropshire, and was the son of a physician. He took to the sea early, and became the captain of a merchantman. Many years ago he jumped from the deck of the Cunard mail steamer Russia during a storm to save a sailor who fell overboard. For this act he received from the bands of the Duke of Edinburgh the first gold medal over given by the Royal Humane Society. So daring was Webb as a sliip’s captain that it is stated ho could never get a crew to go to sea with him a second time. He was also engaged for two years on board the training ship Conway in the Mersey. After his swim across the Channel, the 24th Regiment, which was almost annihilated in Zululand, gave him a Burmese cup taken in battle. He had a trunk full of decorations and trophies. Almost eight years ago Captain Webb achieved the unprecedented feat of swimming across the Channel between England and France. On Tuesday August 24tb, 1875, he plunged from the Admiralty Pier at Dover into the water at four minutes to one o’clock in the afternoon, and landed on the Calais sands at nineteen minutes to eleven o’clock on the following morning. Captain Webb on that occasion sometimes appeared distressed, but ho maintained his fortitude to the last. Though entirely exhausted when he reached the French shore, he was soon in a fair way of recovery. His last appearance in England was at a swimming match at the Royal Aquarium, when he was defeated by young Beckwith, having had to leave the ■ water m the course of the contest, owing to a bleeding from the lungs. Captain Webb’s death caused great excitement in Shrewsbury, where his brothers and sisters at present reside. He was married about three years ago, and leaves a widow aqd one child.