STRAIT SWIM IS ABANDONED

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18380, 4 February 1928, Page 5

STRAIT SWIM IS ABANDONED

MAN COVERED 8 MILES IN COLD, ROUGH WATER. ( Special to the “Star.” ' BLENHEIM, February 4. Webster entered the water on the Wellington coast at 9.15 a.m. The water was cold and rough. At 11.26 the swimmer had to abandon the attempt, after covering eight miles. The launch, with Webster aboard, reached Teawhiti, just inside Tory Channel, at 3.5 p.m.. Only a brief telephone message has been received. A message last night stated:— An Auckland swimmer named R. J. Webster arrived at Picton to-night by the Tamahine with the intention of attempting to swim Cook Strait to-morrow, proceeding from the Tory Channel heads to the nearest point of the North Island. On the advice of Picton fishermen, who stated that strong tides would be met on that route, Webster amended his plans. He will now leave Picton in Mr M. Steele’s launch, Sterling, at 3.30 a.m. and will be landed on the North Island beach at about 8 a.m. He will then attempt to swim to the South Island. He will be accompanied by the launch and arrangements have been made for feeding him with bovril, chocolate, etc., in the water. A representative of the “Marlborough Ex press” will accompany the party.