Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1897 — FAILED IN THE ATTEMPT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FAILED IN THE ATTEMPT.

Peter McNally, the Boston Swimmer, Couldn’t Cross the English Channel. Peter S. McNally, the Boston swimmer who made an attempt to swim the English channel, was in the water fifteen hours, in which time he covered thirtyfive miles. McNally suffered severely, the swelling of his hands giving him great trouble, while from time to time he was seized with cramps in his legs, neck and arms, causing a drawn, haggard look about his face. At last he became unconscious and was forcibly dragged into a boat three miles from shore. He quickly recovered from his exhaustion. In an in-

terview he said: “I discovered that the channel was really much longer than I thought, and found the currents to be all that Boyton, Webb and others told me. I am of the opinion that it is impossible for any cne to swim from Dover to Calais, as the currents would all be against him. I shall make no more attempts this year.” Besides being the best swimmer in New England, if not in the country, McNally has a wonderful record as a life saver. His feats in this direction have won for him the highest recognition of the Massachusetts Humane Society and of the United States Government. Since 1872 McNally has probably saved more than' 100 lives; he cannot himself tell how, many.

PETER S. M’NALLY.