BULLOCK TRIES TO SWIM THE CHANNEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18189, 23 June 1927, Page 10

BULLOCK TRIES TO SWIM THE CHANNEL.

RESCUED BY LASSOO FROM RAGING SURF. LONDON, May 2. At least, a thousand people this evening witnessed ,an extraordinary sight at Deal, when a bullock ran amok and plunged into the sea. Purchased by a Deal butcher at Canterbury market, the animal was being driven to a slaughter-house, when it suddenly bolted. Rushing up a side street on to the front, it leaped over the promenade wall, galloped down the beach, and plunged into the surf. In spite of the rough water, the bullock swam powerfully out to sea, causing some to remark. “ Why, it’s going to swim the Channel!” Breasting the Breakers. At times it was enveloped in masses of spray. Then it could be seen bravely breasting huge breakers. Swimming round some small shipping anchored not far from shore the animal at last made for the pierhead, a quarter of a mile from shore. Despite the heavy breakers dashing against the pier structure, the animal tried to mount the iron steps which lead to the lower pier staging. But the bottom steps were covered with slimy seaward, and, missing its footing, the animal fell back into the sea and swam round the pierhead. Boatmen from the shore went to the rescue in all sorts of craft, and two attempted to get the bullock in a small, shallow boat. One actually got near enough to grasp it by the horns, but the beast shook itself clear, the frail craft having a narrow escape from capsizing. The Winning Crew. Then a large galley named Our Boys, with a full crew, got near enough 'to make a stout rope fast round the animal’s horns. By this time the bullock was exhausted, and had not the boatmen held it securely it must have sunk. By degrees they rowed it ashore, but thev had to wait some time, owing to the rough sea, before they could get it on to the beach, where it lay exhausted in the surf with the waves washing over One man attempted to assist the animal to rise, when it quickly got to its feet, charged the man, and knocked him down. » Then came a last dash along the foreshore, after which the animal was secured and taken to the slaughterhouse.