THE CHANNEL SWIM.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11972, 15 September 1906, Page 5

THE CHANNEL SWIM.

Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyright. Eeceivod September 15, 8.42 a.m. LONDON. September 14. Burgess has again failed to swim the Channel.

Of all Channel swimming aspirants BurgcwJ looks the most likely to succeed. He poascsea plenty ot hard muscle and enough U\t to keep the cold from his system. London writers referred to him as an exceptional man, and one authority said: "I cannot imagine a poison bitter fitted physically for the Channel swim." Burgees is an Englishman, born at Rotherham, 41 years of age. Since 1889 lie has lived Levallois Perret, a suburb of Paris, where he carries on tho business of, a wheelwright and rubber tyre maker, and has prospered to such an extent that is said that he can foot a cheque for £40,000. While a member of tho Libbcleule Swimming Club of Paris Burgess made a name for himself as a long-distance swimmer, indeed, he accomplished many great things before going over to th© French capital. Burgess woigha, ready to plunge into th© water, about 14st 101 b, and is sft llin high, though, owing to a pronounced stoop while walking, he does not look so tall. He possesses a very strong neck, excellent shoulders, and a pair ot hands that might be compared with those of the late Peter Jackson, which were unusually large It was stated last year that few, if any, of London's shops had ready-made gloves that would fit Burgess — ho needed n size half as big again as an ordinary man's. As a swimmer Burgess is anything but perfect, his under-arm side stroke is decidedly awkward looking, but nevertheless, there is great power in it, as well as the kick, and he always appeared able to continue for an indefinite period. A more determined or independent man never essayed th© Channel swim ; instead of relying upon the captain of the accompanying tug, he invariably worked out his own bearings, and, while swimming, gave directions as to how he should be steered. He asked what place this and that was, and then ncmed th© course to follow.

Burgess made his first attempt to cross the Channel on September 6, 1904, in company with Albert Wicdmann, of Dover. He took the water at Lydden Spout — 3J miles from Dover — at 8.30 p.m., but was compelled to give up owing to the coldness and roughness of the sea. He tried again next day, but, after swimming 14 miles in 11 hours, was again forced to desist. On this occasion Burgess covered. 15 miles in a direct course for Calais, and drifted another seven miles. On July 10 last year Burgess came again, and demonstrated remarkable powers of endurance, contending against an exceptionally rough 6ea. Entering the water inside the Admiralty Pier, a strong breeze and very heavy sea were encountered after passing the head pier. Seamen in the attending boat had considerable difficulty in preventing their vessel from turning over, but the conditions apparently hampered Burgees little, albeit he sank so far between the breakers at times as to bo hidden from view. Swimming on th© breast, high — as did Captain Webb — Burgess kept up regular strokes of 27 and 28 to the minute. After travelling from 10.15 a.m. till 4.15 p.m., the swimmer allowed himself to be persuaded to leave tho water, showing no ill effects, and a normal temperature. On Hie 29th of the same month, Burgess made ;t further and a much greater effort, which lasted 12 hours, and brought him within four miles of Calais. Twice during August of the same year did Burgess endeavour to emulate Captain Webb's feat, and again were the elements so antagonistic — though promising at the outset — that he very reluctantly returned home, determined to make further attempts this year. Accordingly he put in an appearance at Dover early in July last, and started training at once. A cablegram published in the Daily Telegraph on Thursday last told that Burgess ewain six hours towards tho French coast, but through striking adverse currents, very sensibly refrained from trying to do the impossible, with the result that 25 miles were traversed in 10 hours 2 minutes.