ing the whole time
he had no recourse to artificial aids. Of this there is indisputable
proof. The journalists who acompanied him across in a boat were careful
in their observations, and were men whose accuracy could be depended on.
The temperature of the water was about 65 degrees. Webb never complained
of cold.

For the first 15 hours the weather was fine. The sea was as smooth as
glass, the sun obscured during the day by a haze, so that the heat did
not affect Webb's head, and in the night a three-quartered moon lighted
him on his way. The worst time began at 3 A.M. on August 25th, as
drowsiness had to be overcome and rough water was entered. At this hour
he was only some 4-1/2 miles off Cape Grisnez, France, and altho he was
not then strong enough to strike out a direct course athwart the new
northeast stream for land, he was fetching well in for Sangette, where
he would undoubtedly have landed between 7 and 8 A.M. had adverse
weather not set in. He finally landed on the Calais sands after having
been in the water 21 hours 45 minutes. After performing this feat, Webb
for some years gave exhibitions of diving and swimming at an aquarium in
London and elsewhere. In July, 1883, he came to America for the purpose
of swimming the rapids and whirlpool at Niagara, and in this attempt
lost his life.

On September 1, 1875, Miss Agnes Beckwith, then only fourteen years of
age, swam from London Bridge to Greenwich, a distance of five miles.
Beginning her journey at eight minutes to five, Miss Beckwith covered
the first mile and a half in 18 minutes. Limehouse Church--a trifle over
halfway--was passed in 33 minutes, and Greenwich Pier was reached in 1
hour 7 minutes 45 seconds.

On September 4, 1875, Miss Emily Parker, who had previously undertaken
to swim the same distance as Miss Beckwith, not only equalled but
excelled the performance of Miss Beckwith. She went on to Blackwall, a
distance of seven miles, the time being 1 hour 37 minutes.

On December, 1899, Captain Davis Dalton swam for 12 hours continuously
at the Latchmere Public Baths in London, England.

On August 17, 1890, Captain Dalton left Folkestone for Boulogne with the
intention of swimming back across the Channel to Folkestone, a distance
of 27 miles. Dalton exprest his conviction that he could perform the
journey in 20 hours, and if successful would beat the time of Captain
Webb. He entered the water at four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and
accomplished th