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L'exemplaire fiimi4 fut reproduit grfice d la g6n6rosit6 de I'^tabiissement prdteur suivant : Bibliothdque nationale du Canada Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul cliche sont film6es d partir de I'angle supdrieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Le diagramme suivant illKtre la m^thode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 * 5 6 Swimming and Life-saving BY CAPT. W. D. ANDREWS, G.CA^, Of tilt Dop.iiiiioii of Cnn.-iila I.ife-Saviiig Service; I'.old I.ife-Saviiii; Medallisi of the Kirst Class; Medallist of tlie Royal f -.mane Society, etc., etc. TRUE HEROISM. " We honor our soldiers, ' hut what of the men Whose deeds of cool daring in tire and in tlooil Have .saved precious lives, yes, again and again? For these can we say, we have done what we couh The brave fellows, thrilled with humanity's cry, Have plunged in the water, or rushed through tiie l1anu\ And (|uick to the rescue to .save life or die, Are heroes, who never need hlu.sh at the name.' " ---ROHKR'I' AWDE TORONTO: WILLIAM HRIGC.S, 78 & 80 KING STREET EAST. S. F. HuESTis, Halifa.x, N.S. 1S8- C. \V. CoATEs, Montreal, Out ■^jjuv?>ffii>li'|*| W'Mff-4tH'«7'<^'<'?'I"^TIM'*rR'<>R'«^nv ^pp^^r^ <\i ,m<*mi- \'uf >l\imi}H9' fJ/^iD^f^OS^ uJ^JJ. " Whether from Scoilaiurs hills of liroom, Or France's vine-clail cajtes serene ; Whether from I'^iglaniTs fields of bloom, Or Ireland's vales of emerald i;reeii ; Assembled on St. Lawrence brink, We stand together, man to man. And all our vain distinctions sink In the proud name. 'Canadian."" — Ciuiadiaii (taui/c. 1^^4-9 TO THK PEOPLE OF CANADA THIS HOOK IS llfspcttfulli) Bcbititttb WITH THE REST WISHES OK THE AUniOR. "^ •"K||»IHli/WW'r''"'*T^ !T% J^ '^T'' ^T^'^ PREFACE. " He that aavetli a Imiiiiiu life is greater tluui ouo who taketli a citj-. " — Covfuritt.s. SwiMMiNO iiKiy be considered both as an enjoyaWe pastime and an invigorating bodily exercise ; Init as a means of pi-eserving life, it has the greatest claim upon the attention of the public. Upon our .ability to swim, sometimes, depends our chances of saving our own life and, possibly, the lives of others. It is one of tlie most essential features in physical education, and it should never be left to the choice of our youth to acquire the art ; its practice sliould be incul- cated as an absolute duty. A knowledge of swimming, both theo- retical and practical, should be included in the education of every person, irrespective of age or sex. In the schools of France and (lermany every scholar receives instruction in the art of swimming. During the many years I have been connected with the Life- Saving Service I have met with hundreds of persons who were unable to swim, and now that loss of sight compels me to rest on my oars for a time, at least, I embrace the oppoi'tunity of putting into book- form the numerous notes I have made from time to time on this subject, with the hope that it may be the means of instructing many in this useful accomplishment. W. D. A. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. "A friend in need, is a friend indeed."' — Old J'lorerh. Owing to my loss of si,<,'lit, it was necessary for nie, in arranging for the printer the manuscript I had previously written, to avail myself of the help of a companion in the (Jeneral Hospital, who could see to make such alterations as I might suggest. A feeling of gratitude, therefore, prompts me to acknowledge the services rendered me in this respect by Mr. Howkll, who kindly acted as my amanuensis, faithfully transcribing every word as it fell from my lips, and assist- ing materially in the arrangement of the matter. Believing that object lessons will assist the reader, I have myself posed in all the various positions in swinnning, floating, plunging, etc., with a view to explaining my ideas more clearly. I embrace this opportunity of exp»'essing nsy sincere thanks to the friends who stood by me during my affliction, to whom I have much pleasure in addressing the following lines : Who in my hour of greatest need, when others passed me by, Did prove themselves my friends, indeed, in trouble ever nigh. 'Tis when the heart is desolate, its inmost thoughts unfold, And we can justly separate the dross fi'om the pure gold. Wl\en the sun of prosperity upon my pathway shone. They gathered 'round me merrily, hrimful of mirtli and fun ; But when the hour of trial came, they very soon withdrew. Except a few, worthy the name, who stood by firm and true. Should Providence restore my sight, and I my health regain, I'll strive to weld tlie links aright in friendship's golden chain. -W. D. A. General Hospital, Toronto, Chn>itmax, 1888. CONTENTS CHAPTKR |,A(,R I. — TkE AkT of SwiMMINd 11 II. — A Chat with the Ladies 12 A Brave Young Lady 14 III. — A WORO FOR THE BoVS 15 " I Can Swim, Sir " .' . . \q IV. — Physical TrainiN(! 10 v.— Physical Development 18 VI. — A Yarn for Seamen 19 VII. — Our LitiHTHorsEs 20 VIII.— SKLEUTINd \ SriTAItLE BaTHINI! PlACE 21 IX. — The Danger of Weeds 22 How to Extriciite One's Self from Weeds 23 X. — B.\THIN(i 23 Rules of the Royal Humane .Society 25 XL— A Talk with the Public Siiiool Board 25 XII. — Artificial Aids to Swimming 27 XTIL— The Buoyancy ok Water ... 28 XIV. — The Necessity of Confidence 28 XV.— How to Acquire Confidence 29 XVI.— The Danher of Cramps 30 The Remedy for Cramps 30 XVII. -Deformity No Impediment to Acquiring the Art of Swimming 31 XVIII. — Breast Stroke 32 XIX. — PjREAST Swi,MMIN(i 35 XX.— Swimming on the Back 35 XXL— Side Stroke 39 XXII. — " Hand over Hand " 42 X.KIII. — The Dog Stroke 43 XXIV.— The Indian Stroke 44 XXV. —Floating 45 Horizontal Floating 46 Perpendicular Floating 46 XXVI. — Treading Water 46 vm CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX, XXXI, XXXII XXX [II, XXXIV, XXXV XXXVI, XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX. I'AOK .— JUMl'IN( INTO THK WaTER 49 ,— Plunoini 49 The Low I'lunge .'51 The l*.)j)iiliir I'hinge 52 The Hi).:li Pluiige. 52 —The " Hkalkr " 64 The llniining Header .... 55 The Skimming Phinge . . i)5 — S\viMMiN(j Undkk Watkr 56 —Diving ... 57 — SwiMMiNu IN Clothes 60 — Ul'RKMlT SwiMMlSd 61 — Frknch Swimming Drill 62 — Ger.man Swi.MMiN(i Schools 63 An Anecdote of "Our Fritz '" 65 — OrNAMKNTAL SwiMMIN(i 66 To Swim Without Using Either Hand 67 On tiie Back, Feet First, Witliout Using tlie Feet 68 On the Back, Head First, Witliout Using the Feet 68 Backwards on tiie Breast . . 68 Senii-Somersaults ". . 69 Somersaults 69 Leap-Frog 70 The Steamer 71 The Propeller 71 The Pendulum 72 The Si)inning Top 72 The Washing-Tub 72 Wrestling in the Water 73 Boxing in the Water 74 The Revolving Feat 75 To Swim Holding One Foot 75 Holding the Feet in One or Both Hands 76 Hurdle Races 76 Egg Hunt 76 Duck Hunt 77 Tub Race 77 Water Polo 77 -Learning to Swim with the Aid of a Teacher 78 — PriiLic Swimming Schools 80 Encouragement of Swimming at Public Schools 81 — Pdblic Swimming Baths 82 The W^iman Island Swimming Baths 82 The West End Island Baths 83 The Y. M. C. A. Baths, Toronto 85 CONTENTS. ix (iUPTER lAOK XL. — SwiMMiNo Races 8ft XLI.— S\viMMi\<; C'l.ntH 87 riiu Aiimteur Swiinniing Aflsooiation of (ireat Britain.... 87 The Liverpool Swiininiiig Club 87 Tiio Ilex Swiiiiiiii' " Clul) 87 Tlie .Montreal Swimming Club 88 Tiie Dolpliin Swimming Club, Toronto 88 OtfieerH of tlie Dolpliin Swimming Club 89 Rules of tiui l)olpiiin Swimming Club 91 XLIL — Thk 1'koi'ek Mkthoii to ur Auoi-tku in llEscniNO Drowninc! PERSON.S IIY SWIMMINd TO THEIR KeLIEK 92 XLIIL — IJIKEOTIONS FOR ReSTORINII THE APPARENTLY DROWNED, Recommended by the Doi.i'hin Snvimmiso Cr.uu... 96 XLIV.— The Royal Htmane Sopiety 100 PeHcription of tlie Medals and Clasps of the Royal Humane Society 104 XLV.— The .Massachusett.s Hcmane Society 105 XLVL — Royal National Like-Boat Lvstitution 107 XLVIL — The Life-Savino Benevolent Association of New York.. 108 XLVIII.- The Albert Medal 109 XLIX.— United Staves Life-Savino Service 112 L.— Oi'R Life-Saving Service 113 The Life-Boat 114 LL— Life-Savino Appliances 114 LII. - The Lyle Gun 117 McLellan's Apparatus Waggon 117 LIII. —The Dobbins Life-Boat 119 LIV.— Always Ready 124 The Operation of Rescue . 126 The Square and Compass 1 28 L'.'.— " O.VE OF THE Men we Know ' 129 i . ^i m III umr^^mm^ ILLUSTRATIONS. Ill PACK Frontispiece Ladies in Hiithi"g Costumes ' -^ Ladies Diving "'' Learning to Swim with tlie Aid of a Teaelier i'-^ Association Hall, Toronto ^"^ Medals and Clasps of the Royal Humane Society l'>-"i Tlie Lylc Gun and MoLuUan's Apparatus Waggon H6 Launcli of the Dobbins Life-Boat ' ^^ Landing in the Surf ' - ' Going to the Ref>t;ue ''•^•' With seventy-eight minor illustrations. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. v/i r \ -^ CHAPTER I. THE ART OF SWIMMING. " This is the purest exercise of liealth, The kind refresher of the summer lie.its." — Thomson's '■'Seasons." j,HE primary object of this svork is the extension of a knowledge of swimming, with a view to the preservation of life from drowning. Many persons never think of the value of swimming, until by some unforeseen accident they are precipitated into the water; then instantly and unpleasantly they are effectually con- vinced of the importance of the art. mi^^mrmmmm 12 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. To know how to swim is very necessary in a country like Canada, where there is so much boatin*,', and where so many young persons, inexperienced in the handling of boats, are to be found at any time during the summer season upon the water. Water employments, water amusements, and water accidents, all tell in the same direction ; all point to the urgent necessity there < \ists for a more extended knowledge of the art of swimming. As swimming is an art, it has laws and rules the same as any other gymnastic exercise, which, if properly understood, will enable the novice to sustain his Ijody, and to navigate in the water at pleasure. The author proposes to advert to those rules, and so to simplify tluMn by words and illustrations as to rendei- the learner all the book assistance possil)le, which, if faithfully followed, will eventually lead to his becoming a good and successful swimmer. Some people have an idea that in order to effect a rescue a person should be very strong, and above the ordinary size. The real truth of the matter is, large men stand like pillars and move like oxen. .Some of the men whom, under Providence, I have been enabled to rescue from drowning, were much largei- and heavier than myself. Skill and dexterity are the primary essentials in life-saving. CHAPTER II. A CHAT WITH THE LADIES. ■• Go wliere the fair water-nyniphs bathe, In grottoes l)y the sea., Where mermaids sport ui)on the wave, And gambol joyously. " Ladies number largely among the excursionists that crowd the niany pleasure steamers which thi-ong our harbors, and pationize the numerous flotillas of smal' boats that are to be found at every lake and seaside resort in Canada, and surely the sa\ing of their lives is a matter worth taking into consideration. The writer has, therefore, deemed it advisable to address this chapter to ladies especially, with the hope that tiiey will derive benefit from the perusal of it. Women and girls are usually so terriHed when they tind them.selves precipitated into the water that they lose a'i self-control, and cling Ladies in Bathing Costumes. 14 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. frantic.illy to some person who is tryiiiji; to save tlieiii, thus greatly endangering tlie would-be rescuer's life, even though he be an expert swimmer. I can speak from experience in this matter, for among the many persons whom it has been my piivilege to rescue at various times, were a number of ladies, who invariably clung to me in such a manner as greatly to impede my progress and endanger both their lives and my own. Regarding the best style of bathing-suit for ladies, the accom- panying full-page illustration gives front and back view of the most popular bathing costume. It is generally known as the combination suit, i.e., the drawers and waist are in one piece. Tlie skirt being an extra garment, to be worn to and from the water, and removed while in the water. My lady pupils usually followed this method, as it gave them the greatest freedom in their swimming exercises. This neat bathing dress can be braided or otherwise ornament d, according to the taste of the fair wearei'. Many of my young lady pupils found it advantageous to dispense with the short sleeves altijgcther, leaving the armholes simply like a gentleman's vest, with colored binding added, according to taste. This is certainly a decided improvement, as it gives much greater freedom to the arms and shoulders wiiile swimn ing. Shoes ought always to be at hand in the event of the shore being rough or pebbly, and to avoid all accidents. A Brave Young Lady. As an incentive to ladies to enter more heartily into the exercise of swimming, I have much pleasure in recording here a gallant rescue effected by Miss Mabel Andrew.s, on •-'•2nd June, 1S87. Two children were in imminent danger of drowning in the Beaver River, near Meaford, Grey County, v)ntario, when Miss Andrews, seeing their danger, plunged in with her clothes on, and succeeded in bringing the children safe to shore. This act, by a lady only sixteen years old, was truly noble, and the Royal Humane Society awarded her their bronze medal, which was most appropriately presented by our esteemed Mayor, E. F. Clarke, M.P.P. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. 15 CHAPTER III. A WORD FOR THE BOYS. ''Tlie sclmnl-ho^ys nf tlio wjitor foul. And wlici'o tlii.^ .stiwim is Wfiruu'.st, Uptni tlie bunk tlu'y ((iiickly jiecl, And plunge riglit in liofid foremost ; O'er bathing suits tliey uiiike im fus.s. Their te.xture or their triiuniing, In purest iKitiiraHlnix Tliat's iiow tliey go in swinniiing. " Until the public swimming baths become more numerous, boys .should be permitted to bathe in oui- lakes and rivers without molestation. Half the papers you pick up nowadays have appeals to authorities of one sort and another to protect society from the small V)oy, who persists in going in swimming without clothes on. Society, of cour.se, ought to be protected, but, on the other hand, the boys ought to swim. It is their nature to do so. Jt is odd that it never occurs to .society to " look the other way " when the boys aie about to swim. That would perfectly protect society, the boys, the authorities and the newspapers. It seems like an easy thing to do : but, in practice, society, or a part of it, finds it very hard to do, in fact, (juite impossible. And .society has been like that for one hundred years. It was a little longer ago than that that a solid Pennsylvania Dutchman came into the presence of the commander of the British troops, then occupying Pluladelphia, and complained that the soldiers had a habit of going to swim within sight of his house, to the great annoyance of his daugh- ters. The General promised to look into it. The othcer sent to examine reported that the swimming place was so far from the house that the men could not be seen. So they were allowed to continue. The Dutch father came again to complain, and when told of the officer's report, replied, "Ah, but those girls have got a spy-glass." Let the boys get healtli and fun in the water, and let society focus its spy-glass in some other direction. Aelia tells a charming story of the boys, who in their bathing made the friendship of a " Dolphin," and used to ride shoreward on his broad back. 16 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. "I Can Swim, Sir." Tlie following naval story is recorded for the benefit of the boys. During the pflebi-ated naval engagement between the Dutch and English, the British Admiral, finding himself assailed by two of the enemy, thought it prudent to call for assistance, which was near, althougli connnunication Ijy signal was impossible, owing to the fknsity of the smoke from the heavy cannonading. In his extremity he called for volunteers to convey a despatch I'y swimming, and among the number who immediately responded was his own cabin boy. The Admiral, addressing the brave lad, asked him, " What can you do!" The boy answered, touching his cap, "I can swim, sir." This answer induced the Admiral to trust the lad to carry out the dangerous duty, whicii he did successfully, notwithstanding the continuous showers of shot and shell. The object was attained by the Captain, to whom the l)oy delivered his orders, bearing down to his achniral's relief ; and so the Dutch were defeated. The Admiral, addressing the boy in the presence of the officers and crew, said with much earnestness, taking him by the hand, and thanking him for his bravery, "I shall live to see you an admiral some day." The prophecy was fulfilled. The boy became Admiral Cloudesley Shovel, and was knighted l)y the King. I have very great pleasure in here adding a highly meritorious aet of bravery performed by a Toronto lad of my acquaintance, he being only ten years old. Tjeonard T. Jillard, on the "ind July, 1888, at the eastern point of the Island, seeing one of his companions sink and in great danger-, jumped in, and diving succeeded in catching the boy and landing him safely on shore. A number of bystanders who witnessed his bravery presented him witii small sums. This boy had taken lessons from the author. CHAPTER IV. PHYSICAL TRAINING. "The boy is father of the man." -Old Proiwrh. Believing in the truth of the above quotation, 1 address this chapter more particularly to the rising generation, but older heads SWIMMING AM) LIFE-SAVING. 17 may read it with protit. Jlitlieito T luivc ti'ied to .avoid, as far as I could, cousistpiitly witli tlie natiii'i- of tliis work, tlic too frt'(|uciit use of tile lu'i'sonal pronoun, not wishing to ajipcar egotistical. in tliis chapter, iiowever, 1 will iido[)t the conversational styh;, as it will 1«! much easier thereby to ci^nvcy niv ideas on this important .>ul)jec(. Knowing that tlie mind is intimately associated with the lK)dy, my tirst advice to all who wish to become r.^idetes is ^^o avoifl the use of intoxicating liquors, which have a tendency to weaken theintUect and enfeeble the l)ody. There are plenty of wholesome beverages which will supply all you want in tliis I'espect, and at the siiinc time leave the head clear and the body strong. Ne.xt, avoid the use of tobacco, not only on account of its uncleanliness, but also because the nicotine it contains is liable to poison the blood. Providence never intended that man should chew like a cow or smoke like a chimney. Again, avoid reading trashy literature, which lias a pernicious etlect on so many of our youth. There are jilenty of journals that cater for the wants of young people, such as the " Boys' Own Paper," and similar periodicals, which have a healthy and elevating influence. Above all, boys, avoid becoming a "dude." To sensible men and women there is nothing more conteniptiljle than these eli'eminate creatures, with their "snobbish" dress, hair parted in the centre, cane and eye-glass, and other e.vternal signs of lack of brains within. 80 long as Providence gives vou health and strength and tlus use of your limbs, no cane is recpiired, and while you enjoy the blessing of sight you n(>ed not use an eye-glass. Endeavor to cultivate a spirit of self-reliance, be honest and truthful in dealing with your comrades. Don't "peach "' 011 your associates, but endeavor to ot)serve the golden rule of " Doing unto others as you would they should do unto you." 80 much for tiie training of the mind. Now for the bodily training. Sleep on a hard bed, l)athe regularly, eat plain, wholesome food, with plenty of fruit for dessert, avoid pastry and sweetmeats of all kinds, take plenty of open-air e.verci.se daily when weather permits — walking up-hill will expand the lungs wonderfully. These directions, if faith- fully observed, will enable you to become a liealthy and vigorous man. Remember that tlie (Jod-given Cordon of lirain is more valuable than the liiblions of the Hath or (iarter. 18 SWIMMING AND IJFE-SAVIXG. CHAPTER V PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. "Quit you like men. be strmig."- -67. Pan'. Boys — Above all thin;ick to us tlicv wt'i'f j )ni- runiu'i's, uiiahlc to ciulnif t'(itii,'iH' ; poor hunters, uuiikillcd in tlio use ni tin' bow and arrow • .iiid wcvc entirely unfit for life in tlic woods. To show our iil)prerifition ot' your kindness, lio /ever, I would ask you, in the name of my tribe, to let us iiave a number of your boys, for several years, 'hf'f u'p iiini) iiKikf men (>/' f/n'm." While I would not underrate the value of education, still we must rememlier that '' All work and no play nicikes Jack a dull hoy." Wellinifton used to say that the school play-yround was the .iMchMis from wliirh (ireat Ui'itain drew hor heroes. The same may be said of every nation. CHAPTER VI. A YARN FOR SEAMEN. ■' Never, 1 wcun, did swinnnor. In such iin evil case, Struj/ylc through such a rfiging flood. Safe to tlic liinding ](l.'ice ; Hut iiis liiidis were borne up bravely, By the brave heart within, And our good fatiier Tiber, F>ore bravely uj) his chin." Macidtlaij's Lmis of Aniimt Rome. To those who have ever been at sea for any length of time, it is almost entirely unnecessary to advance anything to show the immense advantage of a knowledge of the art of swinnning. 80 fully has this fact been recognized by the maritime powers, that one of the lirst qualifications for employment in the Maiine Service is a knowledge of swimming. The curriculum of all training ships includes instruction in this valuable accomplishment. The wisdom of this arrangement is fully demonstrated liy the following incident : When If. M. training ship the water is shallow ; and, if a stranger, he should sound the chosen spot carefully with a pole, in (U'der to ascertain its depth, since the eye is not always to be relied on in judging the actual depth of water. The kind of place best suited for bathing is on a shelving, sandy shore, on which water gradually deepens, and where no awkward sweep of the current may take the bather oH' his feet ; a smooth, sandy bottom, is to be preferred above all others, as it is much safer and more pleasant in every respect. •)•> SWIM.MINO AM) l.ll'i: SAVINC;. Till' ii.it 111!' lit' tin- liiillniii is of j^rciil iiii[>(irtuiict' to lln- rio\icc, iiiid, iiidct'd, to every liatlii-i', for I lie river Ited is ot'ten coiiiixtsed of sliiii'i) stones tliiit cut the U'l-t, or strewn with sunken hiiinehes, that thrust their ia;,';,'ed points as if on piii'poHC! to wonnd the unwary liather, and ^'i\e him a cliaiici' of severe injury. Few Jieeiih-nts aro moif' d;in;,'e?'ous thiin those caused Ity shar'p splinters entering,' IIm> feet, and reinainint; there. <)ther w.iters, and especi.iily those of ponds, and idl still waters, deposit a eds in this particular instance, heini,' so consid- y assuming; tiu! position descriijed in Horizontal Swimndn^f (see pa<^e ;!.">, Kit,'. ">), tli(^ ixidy is raised so near tlu' surface that he will he enaliled to pass successfully o\er t he weeds with com p.ara lively little danj^er or ditliculty. It would he advisable* also for tin; swimmer to follow the diicction of the stream when divini^ amoni,' weeds, should he ever have occ.ision to do so; hut it will he i)est to ,1,'ive all weedy and marshy jilaces as wid(^ a IjfM'th as f>o.ssihle. chaptp:k X. BATHING. "(Jo and wash in Jordan sovoutimus, and thy tioHh shall conio a<,'ain to tlico, anil thou slialt ho clean. " 2 Klmix v. 10. It were well for mankind if the proplietic command ^iv(Mi to Naaman were followed more generally with reference to oui- Imdily health. 2+ SWIMMINO AND I,IKK-HAVrNn. " ( 'leimliiioHH is next to ( Jodliness,' ho siiys the old provorl). This WHS t'ully realized under tlie Mosuk- dispeiisiitioii, as «ve learn from Holy Writ that the Jews bathed re<,'iilarly in luiiniiig waters, and washiii<^ was t,'('n«'rfilly interwoven with the Teni|>l«' ccreinonics. The ancients had recourse to tlutir famous rivers for bathin;; constantly, and it appears many countries reipiirefl their citizens to comply with the practice, as al)soIutely lu^cessary, not only to health, but also to the full development of the physical facullies of th' hunnn body, and applied to lioth sexes. The public ai\(l private baths of 'le Komaiis were particularly luxurious. .\s far back as the yar ./i. !>.('., Lho Pricina Publica, or pulilic l)aths, were constructed n( ar the Circus •Ma.ximus, in the lloman capital. These baths had an al)undant and constant supply of pure watei- from the Appian iKpiedirct. Xe.xt, small pul)li(', as well as private, baths were constructed, and with the Kmi)ire more luxurious forms of l)athinj^ were introduced, and warm baths l)ecame more popular. The Canadian people are, a,s a rule, cleanly in their habits ; yet there are many amon<^ us who, from the want of proper facilities for indulj^in^ in the luxury of a bath, have never been washed since their mothers performed that o{)eration upon them in the old " family tub." A very moderate acciuaintance with the n.-iture and action of the skin is sutHcicnt to prove that bathing ought not to be regarded as a luxury, but as »,u absolute necessity to preserving the organs of the body in a stace of health, and it is the best possil)le preventive for warding otf uolds with, too often, all their serious conse([uences. The immense extension of the city of Toronto within the last few years, with its corresponding increase of manufacturing concerns, has drawn (|uite an army of mechanics and their assistant workers to reside with us. The nature of their hard work renders a full bath frequently necessary; but until vot-y recently there was no public bath available for them. Now that the V^ictoi'ia Bath is open to the public, on Huron St., there is little doubt but so great a l)oon will soon be largely enjoyed, and as the benefits conferred become more thoroughly appreciated, no doubt the erection of other baths will be proceeded with from time to time as necessity is shown to e.xist in the different districts of the city. The good example set by the " Queen City of the West " in this most important matter, it is hoped, will be extensively followed by other cities and towns in Canada. swimming; and life-savintj. 25 Rules for Bathing as recommended by the Royal Humane Society. Avoid hatliiny within two liours Jit'tcr ii iiicul, Avoid liiitliiiig wliiMi cxliaustpd l)y fatiyn*', or from any other cause. Avoid hatliiiif,' whon the Itody is coolin;,' after perspiration. Avoid l)atliin;^ alto<.;etiier in tlie open aii', if, after l)einL,' a siiort time in the water, it causes u sense of chilliness, with nunil)ne.ss in the hands iind feet. ISathe when the l)ody is wiirtn, jirovided no time is lost in getting into the water. Avoid chilling the body hy sitting or standing ntidresHfd on the hanks or in hoats aft :• having heen in tiie water. Avoid remaining too long in the watei-. Leave the water im- mediately there is tlie slightest feeling of chilliness. The vigorous and strong may l)athe eaily in the morning on an empty stomach. Tlie young, and those wiio are weak, had better bathe two or three hours after a meal. The best time for such is from two to three hours after breakfast. Those who art subject to attacks of giddiness, oi' faintness, and those who suffer from palpitation and other sense of discomfort at tlie heart, should not bathe witliout first consulting their medical adviser. CHAPTER XI. A TALK WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD. "Pro Bono Publico." Gentln))ien, — I have frequently pointed out through the columns of the press the urgent necessity that exists Uv better facilities for instructing the public school children in the art of swimming. With this object stiil in view, I address this chapter to you in the hope that you will give it your earnest consideration. I would respectfully suggest that a suitable building be erected in a central portion of the city, easy of access by the street cars, in which a stream of water will be constantly flowing in and out of the plunge-bath. The bath should 20 SWIMMIXfi AND LIFK-SAVIXC. be of a graduated depth —^ ly three feet at tlic fai'thi'st extremity - hours the baths ai'c open the j)uhlic to 1k' also admissible on payment of the arranged fees. I'.y this plan a knowledge of swimming would iiecome very widely spi'ead. Hwimming com|)etitions should be held at freipient intervals, and prizes oti'ered for proficiency in the art ; thus inducing ]ierseverance on the i)art of t!ie pupils to attain the greatest possible (>flicieiicy. 'I'he following; incident will serve to illustrate the necessitv of acquirinij: a knowledge f)f swimming : A Profe.ssor in an English college one day , engaged a boatman to row hini across a river. On the way he asked the boatman if he learned astronomy. The oarsman confessed his ignorance of that science, wliereupon the learned Professor infoi-mi'd him that he had lost one-third of his life in conse([ueiice. Again the Professor iiujuired if he understood mathematics ; the answer once more being in the negative. 'J'his evoked the assurance of the Pro- fessor that another third of the hoatmans life was lost. The boat- man becoming embarrassed at the enumeration of liif los.ses in the past, neglected his duty, and th(> boat sti'iking a hidden obstruction was capsized, and l)otli its occupant were struggling in the watei'. The boatman now became tlie interrogator, and shouted to the Pro- fessor, "Can you swim?" "No, I cannot,'' he I'eplied. "Then, said the boatman, "the whole of your lif" is lost." It is to be hoped that i\\(- boatman, after the learned Professor had become fully sea- sible of the utility of a knowledge of the art of swimming, gave the necessary help to save his companion. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVI\(;. 27 CHAPTER XII. ARTIFICIAL AIDS TO SWIMMING. Ytiii ciinnot swim with Hiuits. you kimw. With oitlaT Htvlo or gnice ; Tlioir iJi'oper use I'll try t(j show At tlie riifjit t'liic uiid place. The use of inechauical conti'ivjiuoos a.s a iiicaiis of accjuiring the iivt of swiininiiig should he avoided as far as possil)le. Tliere are numer- ous inventions of this kind, such as cork floats, etc. The most vener- able, and at the .same time \alueh'.ss, are the cvirk Boats or huoys, some- thing after the style of the old-fashioned life-preservers. The writer rememhers a case which occurred to a shipmate who, being desirous of learning the art, had recourse to one of the ship's life-pre.servers to assist I'.im in making for the shore ; l)ut tlu^ Hoat slipi)ed from its place, and, losing all self-control, he .sank head foremost the life- pi-eserver catching on his feet, etlecti ally prevented him rising, and he would h-i\e perisiied had I not resjied him from his perilous posi- tion. Wii;h artiticial aids a man can hut be l)Uoyed up. The art of swimmijig. when once ac(juired on correct principles, enables one to buoy himself, and move in any direction he wills instantaneously. This skill once acquiicd cannot l)e forgotten. The u.se of artificial aids, however good they may lie, leaves less freedom of action to the body than is u\e case when they are dispen.sed with, and the learner who desires to swim with grace and ease is placed at a disadvantage by their u,se. Th(>ir use not only destroys the spii'it of self-reliance, ]»ut actually fosteis timidity, and leads to incapacity in case of emei'gencv. Artiticial aids have a tendency to tempt boys to venture beyond their depth brfore they can swim, and 1 do not think it possii)le to learn to swim successfully l>y their use. This brings us to the consideration of the aid atForded by a line, one end of which is secured around the chest of the learner, and the other being held by the teacher. A full description of this legitimate means of teaching this useful accomplishment will be fouuvi elsewhei: I 28 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. CHAPTER XIII. THE BUOYANCY OF WATER. ""These limbs that buoyant wfives hiith borne." — Byron. ft would be well for the novice to uuderstantl at the outset, that the water is in itself sutficiently buoyant to support the body with very little exertion. This can be readily proven by the following method: Take a coin or other bright ol>ject in your hand upon enter- ing the water, then, wading out to the depth ot tlie knee, drop the coin to the bottom and stoop down tt) recover it ; then wade out in water breast-high, again di'op the coin as befoi-e, then endeavor, in the same manner, to recover it, and it will be found much more diffi- cult to reach bottom than might be anticipated. For the moment the body is bent the limbs will be forced to the surface, and it will require considerable exertion to reach the olyect at tuf • om. This proves conclusively that tlie water has the power to . ort the body upon its surface with very little effort. Salt water is much more buoyant than fresh ; the following simple illustration will prove the truth of this assertion. Take a pail of fresh water and place in it a large potato. The potato e convenient ; the result will amply repay iiim for his trouble and any (>.\pense he may incur in accomplish- ing his purpose. To learn how to swim means to Iciirn how to save life in tlu' water how to take care of your.self and of others in case of disaster, as well as how to enjoy one of the most delightful exercises. Are not these, then, potent i-easons foi' cndea/oi-ing to overcome all fear of the water and ac(|uiring the nece.ssary confidence, with the aid of which you will eventually become a successful swimmer i The fore- going remarks apply with equnl force to ladies. Many of my own lady pupils ha\e become expert swinuiiers. CHAITER XV i. THE DANGER OF CRAMPS. I ha\e thought it liest at the very outset to dispose of this fear- inspiring subject which, to many would-be swinuncr.s, is a constant source of alarm, and I will endeavor to do .so in as few words as possible. Cramp is simply a contraction of the muscles, usually pro duced by entering the watei' when the body is overheated, or remain- ing undres.sed upon the bank too long l)efore entering the water. Either or both of these will produce cramp, though it may arise from other causes. The Remedy for Cramps. It is usually the arms or legs which are most subject to this complaint among swimmers. The most eti'ectual remedy known is to turn on the back, throw the arm or kick the limb out of the water as SWIMMIN(i AND LIFE-SAVINO. .SI viifoi'oiisly lis |i().ssil)l(; ; tliis will ciinsr a iiioiiit'iitHiy pain as it, sti'ai,i,'lit(Mis the I'oiitivu'tt'd imisclc. I liaxc invariably found it pro (hiot's tilt' (!(>sir(vl nllect lioucvef, and the swinmuM" (;an proceed with the exoreise. Al)o\(^ all tliini,'s avoid ^ettiny excited, pr(>serve voiir presence of mind, and you will l)t' all riifjit. (HA ITER XVII. DEFORMITY NO IMPEDIMENT TO ACQUIRING THE ART OF SWIMMING. " If in the UKintli of dark Dcccinl)or Leander, wlio was niglitly wont (NVliat niaiil will not the tale renioinbor To cross thy stream, bmiid Helles[tont I" - IhjrOH. The world-renowned swinunin,!.!; feats of Lord IJyron are contii'ma- tory of the foreyoini; remaiks. His famous swim across the Helles- pont afibi'ds a striking instance of the power of will to oveivome physical intirmities. A litth^ of the sporting man's love of feats and "records'' entered into the Joy which Childe Harold f(dt in subduing the sea's white horses to his hand. It is a well-known fact that IJyron was justly i)roud of his skill as a swimmei'. Upon one occa- sion he challenged his friend iind companion, Trelawney, to swim a long distance to a ship and to lunch in the water. The feat was successfully performed by both. This, and other similar feats, cau.sed him to lie styled the rival of Leander. Ijord (Jlandeboye, the eldest son of Canada's most popular (Jover- nor-(Jeneral, Lord !)uflerin, also swam across the Hellespont in the summer of 1SS;3. One of the iiLtjst expert swimmers on this continent is an American citi/en named Cole, who, with only one aim, has frequently carried oil" the })rincii)al lim irs in many well-contested inatcheH. .Many j>ersons who are heljilcss cripples on f<'rri( jlnna become extremely active in the watery element, freijuently out- stripping their more fortunate comrades who ashore would feel it an atvliction to accommodate their vigorous strides to the cripples' lal)ored locomotion. T'aere is another class of deformed persons who should not lie I 32 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. overluokt'd, viz., those whose liiiil)s are well-formed, l)Ut whose liody is iiiissliajieii. The huiichbaek for instiuice, \>y reason of his deforiiiitv, woulil liiid it almost as dilHcult a matter to sink as tlu^ novice would to tloat. The malfoiiiiation of his body inerpases his liuovaney to such an extent that it would be almost impossible for him to j^et hi.s head beneath the waves. The author recalls the skill of an old .school- mate, a hunchliack, who was one of the most darinj,' and intrepid .swimmeis he; ever knew ; he would swim faster and venture out farther than many of his well-formed compinions, who were considered e.\pert in other branches of the art. . CHAPTER Will. BREAST STROKE. See how the tirst-cluss swiuuncr swims. With steady stroke and true ; The gracefid movements of liis limbs A i)attern for you. The beifinner, having selected a proper bathing-place, .should wade in up to his breast, turn round, face the shore, and take his pre- liminary "duck " by plunging head and shoulders under water, thus Fid. Kin. •_'. pi-eventing a rush of blood to the liead ; then rising, without hurrying or nervousness, bring the hands together witli the palms downwards, thumbs and outer edges of the foretingers close together, and the hands slightly eonve.Ked at the l)ack, and brought under the chin on a level with the shoulders, thumbs and forefingers of each hand being in _J SVV[MMINfJ AND LIKE-SAVINO. HI] contiict ; for in this way only are they a support froin tlic time they start till they come hack to the starting position. The elhows should l)e l>ent laterally on a level with the lireast (Kii;. 1), in order to secure the most effective stroke. The learner should then steadily incline his body foi'ward, at the same time ad\ancin<,' his arms to their fullest extent, keeping the hands close together, just below the surface, neither elevating nor depressing the lingers — they should be kept at their full stretch foi' at least one second (Fig. L'). This Fia. 3. movement will bring his legs to the surface. He should then separate his hands and turn them back to back, still keeping tlie fingers close together, sweeping his arms obli(|uely backwards and downwards towai'ds the body, drawing the leys up at the same time laterally, rather than under the body as in the old method (see Fig. 3). The elbows thus come liack to the body, and the hands are brought tpiickly together as l)efore to their tiist position under the chin, the edges only lieing presented to the water until the hands meet. .\t the same time the feet arj brought together, as shown in Fig. 1. Tlie arms should t'K^. 4. then be shot forward, and the legs kicked out to their fullest extent, as shown in Fig. ."». The arms stiP retain their position, and the legs are brought together like a paii- of scis.sors (as shown in Fig. .^)a), which action will shoot the body forward like an arrow. Retain this 34 swiMMrxr; and i.ii'K-savink. position till the t'oroo oi the stroke is cxhfiusted. TliiK iiH'tliod will send you Jiln'iid two or tlirci! yards fit Iciist. liy imyiii.u jiarticiilur attention to the t"oiej,'oinj,' direetioiis, the pupil's hands will always be in advance of a liiu' drawn through his shouldei's -a necessary precaution to ♦■scape a duekin;;. My reascjns for advitcatini; this method are the same as those which induced my old comrade, Ivlward llanlan (for many years Woild's Champion Oarsman), to drop the short, jerky, tisheinian's stroke, and adopt a long, swe»!pin,u;' stroke, in which every muscle of the hody is Fio. 6. brought into play, thereby in the most graceful manner e(|ualizing' the muscular force necessary to .«end him to the front. His numer- ous victories amply prove the value of the change. Kio. 5(1. SWIMMIN(J AND LIFE-SAVIN(J. :}.'> CHAPTEIl XIX. BREAST SWIMMING. "Ami I liiiM^ Icived tlii'p, Oioiiii ! mul my jny ( )f ytiiithfiil .spurts was tui tliy breiist to l>u liiiriio, like tliy l)iil)l(l(.'s, onwiinl: from :i lioy I wiintoii'd witli thy liroakiis they, to iiic, Wert? a doliijht ; atul if thu I'roslieniu!^ soa Made tliem a terror — 'twas a jjleasing fear, Foi' I was. as it were, a eliihl of tliee. And trusted to tliy liillowsfar and near. And hiid my hand npon thy mane as I do iiere." Bijron. To show thp value of breast s\vininiin<,', tlie followin<( account of n f^allaiit rescue hy a coast-<,'uurdsnian, named (ieor^e Oatley, may he interostinfj;: "A few years ago, a tSwedish vessel, named the Aittjnsta of Uddawalla, was cast upon the rocks, and it seonied all hope of saving the crew was cut of!'; hut the l)rave Oatley peifurnied the daring feat of swiuiHiing through a hlinding surf with a line to the vessel, and succeeded, by means of Manhy's apparatus, in sending the crew m\ shore ; not, however, until he was iiimself drawn ashore, was it known how very nearly his own life was to i)eing sacriliced in his efVorts to save them. On the recommendation of Admir.il H. H. 11. the huko of Kdinhurgh, the C^ueen conferred on Oatley the well carneil distinc- tion of the Albert Medal of the first class. The (^>ueen ])ert'(«i med the ceremony of presenting the medal herself, alighting from her carriage on a journey from Windsor to Balmoral at a place called Kerryhill Junction, where a j)latform was erected, and Her Majesty pinned the decoration on the breast of the brave man in the presenee of a eiowd of spectators." The Swedish (Government also conferred decorations on the man, besides a number of Humane Societies. CHAPTER XX. SWIMMING ON THE BACK. This accomplishment is very easy to acquire, and not only mo.st useful, but may be said to be indispensable to those who have to sw im 36 SWIMMINO AND LIFE-SAVINO. 1 i long (listiiiict's, or rciuiiiii for .i coiisidcnilili' tiiiio in tli<' wator, iis it can 1)0 port'ormed with grcaUM' (*ase tlian any otiier nietlioil. While ssvimiiiiiig on the hrcast, as ih'scrilicd in t\w previous chapt»!r, yoii ••iin tiiiii on your ')afk in the dccpost water, l)y thif)win with ii sfMiii-fiiruliir motion (see Ki<,'. U), or you iimy IioUl one or both iiniis peit'ectly u|>riv;iit out of the watci' at ph'sisun;. In onui- ^^?5==r^-^ i'lrj. 10. mental swiniiuiiiij sonu' coutestiints hold flag.s in their ha.uls, and swim in this manner over the entire cour.se (see Fii^. lU.) Fio. 11. Again you ean fold your arms across the chest, a In Xapolcon (see Fig. 11), or behind your back, if so disposed ; this will give the chest an additional elevation of two or three inches above the water S8 SWIMMINC AM) I,IKi:-SAVIN(i. (•HI. 1-. (s«'*' l-'i;,'. 12);()i you may strctdi tlx- Iriiids strniglit in inhaiu'fot" tin* head, lofldny the vhmubs tn;,'('tlii"' (sec Fiu'. l-">). Kid. i;t. Ill acldition to tliosc iiiotliod.s you c,i' i Id ; : '. ! •, !>y 1 (('{)ii'.'; the hands straight Itel'ore tlu; head, hut widely a));', o '•r- i I\;;. i I) • or you ni:-\y •:!;. ji f'l' ;■ '■< 'lirid l.'.;' ! ■ i i, ;\:A\ : '>' i"'.^':- distances on the side. From the writers own knowledge, he concludes that, for long, emhiring display, the breast stroke is preferable ; while in I'aces where speed is wanted the side stroke is best, in fact, it is uue(|uulled. Tluire is a diversity of (({tinion as to the position which should be adopted by the side swimmer ; KOiiie advocate the right as best, and lu^ui'Iy all .self-taught swimmers Vw on the right side in executing this stroke. The author prefers the left, for the following rea.soiis : The uppei' arm, in the side stroke, is tiio one which I:is the most work to do ; it is better, therefore, to place the stronger arm (generally the right) in that position. It is admitted tliat the strain upon the chest is considerable in breast swimming, while it is rarely f«dt in side swimming. There is, liowever, one drawback in conru'ctiou with the side stroke, and tiiat is "swering." In breast swimming the human i)ody is symmetrically situated, and the propelling force Ijeing ('(jual at both side.s, the body advances in a straight line ;diead, and the steering is easy. In side swimming greater care is recpured : the learner must understand that the head is the ludm, the slightest inclination of which will ulter the course, and as it is awkward to look ahead in this position, he had better align two fixed objects in the rear and steer by them. This is the only drawback, if it be one, to the side stroke. Its advantages are many. The best method of eflecting this stroke is as follows : 40 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. ! ;3 lii The learner should lie upon tlie left side, stretching out the left- arm to its fullest extent in advance of his h(;ad, the right arm should ]t(^ straightened out in the opposite direction, so that the palm of the liand rests upon the right hip. The legs should he stretched out at full length and kept close together, witii the feet turned back in such a manner that the toes ai-e in a direct line with the knees, as shown in Fi''. 1(). iS:^)^, V\(i. l(i. In executing the first arm stroke, the left arm should be struck downwards and backwards, that is, toward the body, and then brought up under the head by bending the elbow, while the right arm is brought under the level of the chin as far beyond the head as can be managed without lowering the right shoulder, so that the elbow of the right arm will just lie over the fingers of the left hand (see Fig, 17). Kio. 17. Care should be taken to glide the right hand along below the sur- face, and in siu-h a manner as to offer the least possible resistance to the water. In making the first leg stroke the knees should be drawn up gently until the thighs form a right angle with tlie body. The feet being kej)t close together and the knees wide apart, as shown in Fig. 17. The first leg stroke and the first arm stroke should be exe- cuted at +he same time. The second leg stroke is made by extending : SWIMMING A.Vn LIFK-SAVINCS. 41 the right log in a, line with tlio thigh of the siiiiie leg, ut right Jinglea with the body, and then straightening the left thigh in a direct line with the body, and liending the same leg at tli(f knee liackwards, 80 as to enclose between both, the legs and thighs as large a l)()dy of water as possible (see Fig. IS). In e.vetuting the third leg stroke, CZ^^^ Flo. 18. the thighs and legs should be brought together with considerable enei'gy, the left leg coming forward with a Hat-like motion, and the right leg falling back till they meet in their original position (Fig. 16). Simultaneously with the second and third leg strokes, the second arm stroke should be executed. In order to make the second arm stroke effective it is absolutely necessary that the right hand, which is in advance of the head, should be hollowed, knuckles upper ost, with the thum!) and fingers Hrmly pres.sed together. The hand should then be sliarply pulled l)ack toward the body and close to the chest, till it regains its former position on the right hip. The left hand, meantime, e.vtended to its original position in advance of the head (see Fig. IG). This completes the Hve movenient.s, three for the legs, and two for the ai-ms, required for the correct pei'formance of the side stroke. The action of the right arm in its forward motion may be varied ; by raising the arm clear of the water, and then reaching forward as far as possible, then dipping the hand, as in the Indian stroke, (see Fig. 19), and although this is not, strictly speaking, the correct style Fio. 19. ■arr 42 SWIMM1N(J AND Lll'E-SAVIN(i to adopt liy uiiy piTsoii desirous of becouiiiig a jiniccfiil swiininer, this will ho found most useful in speed contests. ( )ue of the most popular oxprnieiits of the side stroke i> -Mi'. Horace Davenport, the Amateur Champion Swinnnei' of (!reat Britain, whom the autlioi' had the pleasure of meeting,' while in Canada in the sunni'er of ISS'J. This style of s\vinimini( was tirst introduced by a celelnated Australian swimmer named Charles Saundstrum, who achieved wonderful success as a side swinuner. I have endeavored, as far as possil)le, to dt>scril)e from memory the exact detail (^f his method. Several American swimmers, includin*^ Eiiiest N'on Schu-ning, (ieoige H. Wade, Wm. H. i>aly, Tony IJutler, and (Jeorge Hyslop (of Hamilton, Canada), have aciiieved considerable notoriety as "side stroke swimmers. Captain .1. L. Rawlione. I^. Fl. S., of the I)olpliin Swnnming Club, Toronto, has also won a numl)er of gold and silver' medals l)y his skill in this style of swimming: in 1SS7 he won the chauipionship of Toronto Bay from \V. B. Swain, formerly champion of Tunl)ridge Well.s, Eng- land. He also liolds the Royal Humane Society's bronze medal for savini: life .lulv L'7th. lSS:i. CHAPTER XX 11. "HAND OVER HAND." In this popular mode of swimming, one ai'm should lie raised above the surface and thrust forward to its fullest extent, the other hand at the same time describing a small cur\'e in a downward r the lireast in the direction of the hips. Kach arm is uppermost in turn. The li'gs also urge the i)ody forward as the arnis leave the water. «ach h^g striking out altei'nateiy as soon as the arm on the same sitU; has completed its movement. 'i'lie whole movtMuent of the arm desciibes an oval figure, of which the lower part is hi, and tlie other oni, of tiie water, while the shoulder foiins the centre after Ix'ing thi'own forward ; the hand is turned as it touches the water, so that it encounters little resistance on entering the water. l)ut it is immediately turned with the kiw.ekle upward and tiie palm hollowed out as in *• side swimming." SWIMMING AM) LIFK-SAVINU. !■:{ Pig. 'JO shows the body Just as the right iuiii has tiiiisIitHl its cirouhir swepp. aiul tht- lid't is hogiiiniiig to rise. Fm. 20. During tlicsc movements the swiniiuer appears to lie iuuled tor- ward by the swing of the arms, and makes eonsi(h>ral)Ie piogress as to distanee, l)ut tiie method is too fatiguing to l)e a(lo[)ted for any It is verv useful as a relief from the oidinarv mode. lengtii of time CHAPTKH \XI11. THE DOG STROKE. This movement is similar to a dog oi- horse when trotting tliat is. the right arm and left leg make one stroke, .say a negative or for- waid movement, while the left arm and right leg make the oth<'r, or a positive stroke backward ; so the two lind)s taken crosswi.se are making the propelling stroke, while the other twf), of course cross- wise, as well, ai-e making the retarding stroke. This diagonal and similar action keeps the body at the .same level and the speed uniform (see Fig. "21). To do this the le.arner should wade into the water rill Via. '21. s^^^ 4+ SWIMMINf! AND MFK-SAV!NO. it reaches the ann-pits, then imitate with liis hands the action of a dog's fore-paws when swinnning, at the sain^? time raising the let's to a nearly horizontal position, while heating the water down and back, tirst with the right arm and left leg, then with the left arm and right leg. If these movements are correctly performed, the learner cannot fail to swim, providing he takes care tibviijs to keep his hands in advance of his shoulders ; nc'leot of this will lead to a loss of balance, and his head will undoubtedly become immersed. The Sclavonic tribes, Russians, Poles, Laplanders, etc., usually swim in a manner somewhat similar to this, and as a change from the breast-stroke it will be found useful. It is also an easy method for a learner to accjuire, as the exertion necessary is very little, and of the simplest kind. (Quadrupeds instinctively adopt this method, and as man, until he becomes e.Kpert, has to imitate them in using all four limbs for support and j)iopulsion , i the water, this mode is at least as natural as any other for begiiniers. CHAPTER XXIV. r- THE INDIAN STROKE. The mode of swimming in use among the Indian tribes in Canada and the United States is as peculiar as their manner of walking. The stroke used by the various tribes in North America is quite different from that usually practised in the civilized world. The Indian, instead of paiting his hands simultaneously in front of the head, and making the stroke outward in .i nearly horizontal direction, thus causing a rather severe strain upon the chest, throws his body forward alternately upon the right and left side, raising one arm entirely out of the water, and I'eaching as far forward as possible to dip it again into the water, whilst his whole weight and force are spent upon the one that is passing under him, which, like a paddle, is propelling him along (Fig. 22). The right arm is making a half circle, and is being raised out of the water behind him, the opposite arm being raised above his head, describing a similar arc in the air, to be again dipped into the water as far as he can reach before him, the hand bent inwards so as to form a sort of cup, and tlius act most eftectively as it passes in its turn beneath him. SWIMMING AND I.IFE-SAVINO. 45 III this hold and powerful mode of swiuiming, which may certainly be deficient in the grace that many wish to see, there is little strain upon the breast a;.d spine. This mode enal)les the swimmer to get we^^ Fia. 22. through the water more speedily than the breast stroke does. It is, however, less rapid than the side stroke, and more fatiguing than either the breast or side stroke. CHAPTER XXV FLOATING. The ability to Hoat is one of the Hrst e.ssentials in swinnning. When long distances have to l>e accomplisiied, a tired swinnner is enabled by this means to rest his exhausted frame until he gains sufficient strength to pursue his course. Persons float with much greater ease in salt water than they do in fresh. Women float nujch easier than men, the principal reason of this being that their bones are lighter, and their adipo.se tissue much greater than that of men. For the same reason fat persons float naturally. I remember a case of one very corpulent old gentleman whom T was endeavoring to teach to swim on his back, who found it almost as difficult to turn over as a mud-turtle when laid in the same position. Some of my lady pupils could float for ten or fifteen minutes consecutively. There are two styles of floating, viz , the horizontal and the perpendicular. TT 4(i SWI.MMIN'f! AND LI KE-SAVIXC. Horizontal Floating. Stretch yoursclt' out ut t'lill length on youf Ixiek, holding the jii'ms close to tlie si(I(!. In this position the toes, the upiiei- part of the chest and the t'aci-. will appeal' aliove the surface of the water (see Kig. •_'.">). At eac'i inspiration the body will rise an inch or an inch ind Km. -Z-i. a half, and at each respii-ation it will sink al»out the same depth. ^ A slight nioscincnt of the hands, palms downwards, the arms lieing held close to the sides, so slight as to seem almost inipei-ceptible to the oidooker, is ijuite sutlicient to maintain this jxisition. Some experts can even fold tlx' arms aci'oss the chest, and float with compai'ativo <'ase. Perpendicular Floating. Assume an npi'ight position in thewatei. H.\tend the arms at right angles with the Ijody, ])alms downward : stretch forward the right leg, and licating the watei- with the hands to maintain an e(|uilil)riuiii (see Fig. 1*1), one can ilo.at in this manner for a consider- iilile length of time. I'.y throwing the head hack until the water is levt'l with the ears, as show n in Fig. ■_'•"). you can lloat much moi'e i'asily. To persons who cannot swim, this will be found particularly valuable should they, by any unforeseen accident, find themselves in the water. By considering this carefully in time of security, they will be eual)led to act upon it in time of danger. CHAPTKR XXVI. TREADING WATER. Treading water is accomplished by allowing the feet to fall from a floating or swimming position, and performing with the legs the same motion that is made in going up a flight of stairs. This m«'tliod SWIMMINO ANT) 1,1 KK-S.\\ IN(i. 47 li.is llic ;iil\ ,iut,ii;i' (it sustiiiiiiiii,' tlit> liiiily at ii uiiit'oi'ih lici'^lit. 'I'lic teat is iii()r(> I'asily acliiovtMl wlicii the anus ai'c ciiiployi'd to assist tlic ii't(S, Ity ))ri'ssiiii^ the water with a downwai'd iiiotioii. (as sliowri in Ki.i,'. -*.").) Kxpt'i't swiiiiiiici's, li()W(!\t'i', prct'ci' to (li-ju'iul ciilircly on tlir legs tor siippoit, and either fohl the annsiici'oss tl;o lircast, hoM tlieni high aliovo the hctd, or extend thi'in horizontally along the surface ot' the water, with some article in each hand. I'm. M. Km. 25. Williams, the celebrated swimmer from the Island of Malta, at the annual tournament hehl l)y the Montreal Swimming (.'lulj some years ago, performed the clever feat of holding two small flag.s in ejlch hand extended at arms length, and l)alanciiig a bottle of champagne on liis head while treading water ; he also dined in the water. This 1 have endeavored tn duplicate (see Figs. 'JG, 27). f 4S S\VIMMIN(J AND I-IFE-SAVING. Trcadiiii; Wdter is specially useful in tiic event of a person who, while heavily clothed, falls accidentally into the water, as it is the very best positiffn that can lie assumed in the water to eiiahle the ]iers()n to riMnose iinpi'diui; ;:ai'nieiits ; and if a person, lieiiii,' unahle to swim, should fall o\erlioard, or from a wharf or pier, or otluM'svisc" accidentally (ind himself so exposed to danujer, liy j)reservin,<^ coolness, Kio. 2(1 Fid. and in this way liavins,' recourse to treading water — placing his arms horizontally ylightly below the surface, and keeping them moving gently, the motion will keep him safe till help arrives. By extending one foot before the other, and allowing the head to fall back till the water is level with the ears, he can Hoat securely for a considerable length of time, as already shown (Fig. 24). SWIMMING ANH I.IKE-.SAVINO. 41) CHAPTEIl XXVII. JUMPING INTO THE WATER. This iiH'thod of «'ut('ring the water will be found ospociiilly service- able to those who cannot swim, in oases of shipwreck, or the bnrnin*,' of a vessel, or diiiinji,' a collision, where the watery element seems to offer a better chance of escape than to remain on board of th»' ill-fated vessel. The Jnnip may lie made in the following man- ner ; Take a full breath, and ihen sprinj; forward as far as jmssiide, to clear the ship, so as to a\oi(l being engulferl in the vortex which the sinking ship will make. Keep the body straight until it is subniei'ged ; the feet and limbs held hrinly together. (Fig. L'S.) The arms have to be extended above the head, with the fingers locked together, .so as to ensuie the arms being kept in position. If the leap is taken from a consideraljle height, as, for instance, the promenade deck of a steamer, and the l)ody should deviate from the perpendicular, it may be rectilied by inclining the head and arms in the opposite direction, taking care, however, to have them vertical at the in.stant of enter- ing the water. AVhen the swimmer wishes to stop his /—a-t' descent, after entering the water, all he has to do is to \« il spread his arms, and he will at once commence to lise. ^^ A number of foolhardy persons, such as Donovan, who leaped from the Suspension Bridge into the Hud- son River, which is probably one of the liighest jum{)s on lecord, have achieved coi\siderable notoriety by their unjustitiable desiie for fame. CHAPTER XXVIIl. PLUNGING. " And with hia liariiuss on liis back, Plunged lieadlong in the tide." — Macanlay, ^^ Lays of Ancient Home." Plunging is the act of springing into the water head-Hrst. This ia the only method of entering the water which a dashing swimmer will IT I 1 50 SWIMMINO AM) MFE-SAVINCS. filluw hiiiisolf to iis(f ; wlieii tlic Icuiricr liiis Itcooiiie Koiiiewliat fiiiiiili.ii' with tlif clfiiiciit iiiid its Imoyimt power, anil li.is Iciuticd tlic projicr list' ut' Ills liiiil)s ill it, iicfoi'diii;,' to tlic instnictioiis cinitaiiKid in the |)l > : ii- pages of tliis woi'k, he will look with some degree (if contempt upon \.;;!|.ing into tlu^ water after the very mild manner that is only appropriate to those who cannot swim. He will not Itesatislied until he is ablo to throw a little more s[iirit into the proceedings, and enter the water- with a plunge ; and, in learning to do so. he must pi'actise with MS much care and attention as he displayed in the previous les- sons. The progress should he (juite gradual, until the learner is ahle to plunge, with perfect I'onlidence, from a luught of twenty live; f((et, or moi'e. So accurately can this he done, that it is a well-known practice among e.\pert swimmeis to mctunt a tree or otln-r elevation, throw a wooden hoop into the water, and dive through it without touching its sides. Thes(! remarks apply with ecpial forct to ladies. >rany of my female pupils attained great piolii-iency in the art of phinging and diving. Fid. -it*. I Th(? author would impress upon the learner the importance of ascertaining the de))th of the water before plunging into it ; for while it is important that the water should not he too deep (even although the swimmer may have learned the ludiments of swimming), it is far more important that it should not he too shallow. Great care must, Lherefore, be taken to .avoid both e.vtremes. Tn learning to plunge, the p.ilms of the hands sljouki be placed together and the arms extended in advance of the he.ad, so as to pre- .sent a wedge, by which the water is .sejiarated to admit the passage SWIMMINO AM) LIFK-SAVIN'O. A of till' liiMil th«"(»u!,'h its sijIjst.iiuM'. Tlicro is sonn'tiiiii's ;i iifivousiicss witli It'.iriins in lic^iimiiiii- to |iliiiii,'t', us it" tlit- water would liuft liku a hiifd sul)stiiiu'(' ; this tear ciiri Ix' -jot rid of l>y tlif icaiucr assuiii- iiiy the attitudt' shown in l-'iij. •_".!, and tunilih- himself forward, thus i;ainini,' (lonlidence. One ijood "header tliat oeciipies liut a moment or two, will )»re\t'nt ehills, headaciies and otlier iinj)leasant sensations that usually follow tlio ohjeetionahle [)lp.n of wading into the water liy inches. There are eases where a swimmer is ohli^'ed to entei' the water where it is not of sutlieient deiith to pernnt the ordinary jilunije ; tlu* best way is to make a run foiward and throw the l)ody nearly, liut not (|uite, hoiizontally into the water', and to cur've the l)aek as far as possible, when the head has fairly touched the sur"fac(i (see Fig. .'JO). Kid. :ii). This style is adopted by the Kton Colletre lioys, and is gener'ally knowrj •IS the Kton plunge. An e.vpert will Ijoldly throw lumself into th(! water in this mariner- from the baidc, although only thi'ee feet or so in depth. Indeed, tliei-e are .some who can manpge this feat so adroitly, that their heads actually emerge above the surface ;is their feet ar-e submerged. (Jr-eat carv must be taken to hold the l)ody tirmly braced, as the sudden change of curve in the spine is apt to cause a strain that might •^ad to dangerous results. Wlii'ii e.xecuted pr-operly the head dips })ut little below the .sur- face, the liaok is just covei-ed, and the whole figure slanted upwards again immediately. The Low Plunge. Fi'equent practice of this most useful feat is strongly recom- mended. When made from a height of say four or five feet, the body should be bent down until the head is lower than tlu; knees, which 4 52 SWI.MMINU AND MFK-SAVINO. Khotild hv i>|)riiiM| i(( alliiw tlif lifiid .iiul !iriiis i\ tVct i)ii.s.sii<»('. I'lir arms shouM Ix- fxttiidtMl. ms iilrfiuly sliowii, in tVont of the Iiciul, tlii^ liandH jniiicd to clt'iivt,' a piissn;;*' through tlii' watt'i-. Tin' Iciiiiior should then giadiially iiic'liiic forward till he loses his lialaiioe, and then at, oiicf straiyhtfii the hody from tlit' tiiijjj^Ms ti> the tncH. If the din'ftioiis have Ix'cn strictly followed, the Itiariit'i- t-iitcrH the wntoi' liands Hrst, and as noiselessly as an arrow. The Popular Plunge. Another method of afcom|ilisliini,' the s;ime thini,', is to t;ike a slight spring' from the pht^'orm. iind immediately that the hody is in the air, to .straighten it .iien and (Miter the water diagonally, hody 1 i Fid. .•!!. Straight and rigid, head downwards, the heels close together, and hands extended mi advance of the head, and in a line with the body (.see Fig. 31). This mode exhibits more grace, but retjuires skill on the part of the swimmer to execute it projjerly. The High Plunge. When the high plunge is taken from a height of ten or fifteen feet, it is advisable to spring forward, so that the body may not .strike the water perpendicularly. SVVIMMINy this method tlif rt'sistiiiu'c is |ii'ojj;r('ssively HuniK)Uiitcr| ; luit t'or any hi'i,i,'lit nnirli in excess of lifteeii feet, the forward spriii;,' is useless as a means of j,'ivinj; ol>lii[uity to the line of descent, tlioiiLfh it may lie iisefid to eiial>le a swimmer to clear any intervening,' olistacle that may \>v between the hei;i,dit from which he ])hin,L;es and the surface of the water, such as the side of a \essel for instance. Tln're is one tiiini; specially to lie avoided in order (o mak*' this |)hin<,'e successful, and that is, throwing,' up the heels after the feet have* left the platform in making; the spring, as tlitf doing so will impart Jin extra rotary motion to the IkjiIv, and thus render' it a matter of uncertiiinty which part will hist touch the water. .\ny deviation from the correct attitude will he detected, and entail immediate punishment, more or less severe, according to the height of the ))lunge, the part of the Kody that is out of position, and the e.vtent of the error. If the learner takes a Itjng llat lioai'd, and tirst lets it drop endways from a heigiit of ten or fifteen feet into the watei', and afterwards lets it fall from the same height on the llat, tin; great resistance which the water will otl'er to it in tin; latter case compared to the forme:, will show how im})ortant it is that the cori'ect posture should be h'arned hefon; plunging from any considerable height. \>y constant j)ractice the novice soon gains the retjuisite presence of mind which emibles hi;n to leap from any height without feeling at all discon- certed. Many of my pupils, including a number of ladies, were able to accomplii I the high ]ilunge successfully. JNlany persons take great delight in performing feats of daring, as they are pleased to term them. 8eamen especially have a fondness for achievements of this nature. IVIany stories are related of groat plunging feats from the mast- head of vessels. .Vmong them I select the following, which may prove interesting A seaman, belonging to H.M.8. Canada, })lunged from the mast-head into the sea, a distance of over one hundred feet, going down on the; port side, passing under the vessel's keel, and coming up on tl' ' starboard side, .some distaucf. from the vessel, to which he swam below the sui'face, and supporting himself by the rudder chains under the counter for a considerable time, until it was thought he 54 SWIMMING AN!) LIFE-SAVINfi. was Jiopelessly I'-'^t; he tiieu swam to tlie sliip's side, to tlie great clelii,'lit of the otHoers and crew. ]\rr. John 1). Patry, of the Dolphin Swiniiiiing Club, Toronto, has also distinguished himself as an expert in this braneli of a(|uatie performances, l)y winnivig the Andrews' Silver Medal for 1882, 1883 and 1884. He also accompanied the author in the life-boat to the rescue of Professor Schloohow, during the terrible gale of July 27th, 1883, for which iio received the l5ron/.e Medal of the Royal Humane Society. CHAPTER XXIX. THE "HEADER." The genuine "header" may be taken either from tlie bank with a run or from a heiglit. It is better to learn both ways, and, indeed, every way by which the human body can be transferred from the hind to the water. To take a jiroper " header,"' the hands should be joined over the head and the arms extended in front at full length, in order to cleave a passage for the head before it reaches the water. If this precaution be not taken, the top of the head gets a terrible blow in the contact with the surface. The back should be well- hollowed, the entire body as stitF as a poker, the legs stretched at full length and firuily held together, the feet being closely pressed to each other and the toes well-pointed so as to oti'er as little resistance as possible to the water. Considerable practice is necessary in order to become proficient in this mo:.-,t useful ac([uirement. The test of a perfect " header " is that it raises no splash, and the body seems to slide into the water like a beaver or an otter, merely leaving a series of concentric circles and V)ubbling spots in their centre to mark the spot where the plunger disappeared from view. Among the greatest authenticated distances attained in plunging, was that accomplished by II. (Ireen, Margaret Street Baths, Liver- pool, Eng., in July 17th, 1879, when he succeedeil in plunging ()8 feet 4 inches. Horace Davenport, at Lambeth Baths, London, Eng., in October, 1878, went (32 feet 7 inches, and in August, 1880, he got a distance of 58 feet 8 inches in open water at Norwood, England. SU'IMMINO AND LIFE-SAVINfJ. oo The Running Header. This feat is accomplished by ruiiniiig ten or twelve paces before springing into the water, the order of the steps being so arranged that the last one is made l)y the foot with which it is intended to execute the spring, the swimmer's aim being to endeavor to clear as great a distance as possible before touching tiie water. Muscular strength and lightness of the body are the main re(|uisites for the successful accomplishment of this populai' method of plunging. Another vrinkle worth knowing is, that by curving the body and limbs so as to make tliem coincide with the line of transit , that is the trajectory, this will be found a great aid — in fact, nmst be done to insure an undisturbed cleavage of the water, as already shown. In all other respects the instructions already given under the " Header " will apply. The Skimming Plunge. This method of plunging is more difficult to acfjuire than the pre- vious one ; but, when thoroughly mastered, it will be found one of the most useful, as it certainly is one of the most graceful, feats in swimming. In fact, a person's ability as a swimmer may be pretty accurately determined by the way in which he plunges, even before he swims a stroke. Kio. 32. This style of plunging is of the greate.st service in water that is shallow, or of which the depth is unknown, also when the swimmer desires that the impetus of the spring should aid his progress, as in a swimming match, or when there isa necessity for reacliing any object in a sliort time, as, for example, when a fellow-creature is in danger of drowning. 56 SWl.MMIN(i AM) LIKE-SAVING. It f'(nisists ill spiiiii^'iiij,' forwiird, and, diroftly the foot leave the j^rouiid, straijL^hteniii^' th(! hody and inakiiii,' it jM'ifectly riffid. The arms are to he »^ in contact, and tlie palms to he held either downward or close together. The tlii<,'hs and lelunge. The more closely the ligure, entrance, and motion resemhle that of an arrow dischai'ged fi'om a how, the more graceful and etlective is the jilu'vu"^. A distance of forty oi' fifty feet iias heen often accomplished hy this method. CHAPTER XXX. SWIMMING UNDER WATER. This style of swinnning may he found useful, especially when performing such games as "Hunt the Duck," etc. It is fre * ently made a part of a swimming tournament as a test of the lung power of the contestants. At the annual races of the l)olj)hin Swinnning Clul), a silver medal was awaided each year for this style of swinnning. The con- testants entered the water in the manner descrihed undei' the head of the Skimming Plunge. Keeping so close to the surface, without hreaking it, however, that they can he seen hy the spectators foi- the entire distance, using only the hreast stroke. Long distances have heen accomplished in this way. I^Ir. Alfred Potter, of the Dolphin Swimming Cluh, won the silver medal awarded l)y the Toronto Swinnning Cluh, August, 1S83, reaching the very creditahle distance of 101 ft. In Sei)temher, 1883, at the Dolphin Cluh Races, lie exceeded this record hy reaching 110 ft., receiving the Andi'cws' Medal therefor. Mr. Potter is the holder of a numlier of medals for diving, running, etc. SWIMMIXO AND i.IKE-SAVlN(i. 57 CHAPTER XXXI DIVING. Twas surely PiovideiiCL' wlio gavo Our (livfi's m-rvf so luave, 'I'll plunge lii'iicath tliu stormy \va\u A Imman life to save. Diviiii; is the most oxliilaratiu^- ('MJoymciit to wliiuli a swiimiier can attain. The altility to divo successfully is the aiuhition of every novice. He feels a certain amount of exultation in his power to descend Ix'neath tiie surface, either for pleasur*' or to recover lost articles, or, if need i>e. .save the life of one who has sunk and is in danger of drowninj;. 'I'he primary essentials in dixing are courage, and the lung capa- city for retaining sulHcient air to cnahle one to nMuain under water for a consideraljle time, ('ourage is an inherent virtue with many, but timidity may he overcome in* constant practice. The usual lengtii of time men can generally remain under water is al)out one minute. This time may he pi-olonged to a minute and a half or two minutes l»y the following method, which the author has found very successful. Prior to entering the water, tin? lungs should Ijc inflated to tlieir idlest capacity hy taking in groat draughts of pure air, retaining the breath as long as possible, then allow the air to escape, until the lung.s become ([uite empty, continuing tliis jiractice until all the foul air has been discharged. This methcjd will give you one-third more lung capacity than you would otherwise possess. Then take one large, full insj)iration and dive into the water, 'i'he correct position for diving is that shown in Fig. '.\\, ch. xxviii. (.s(!e also illustration of ladies div- ing). The dive may be made either from a bank, vessel, or platform, and if the impetus given is not suHicient to enable him to reach the point aimed at, he can .strike out with, iiis limbs as in the brea.st stroke, until he reaches tiie object, precisely the same as if it were a tloating one. The objective point having been obtained, the swimmer should a.s- sume an upright position, pressing his feet Hrmly against the bottom, spring upward toward the surface, aiding himself in his a.scent by using his arms and legs vigoiously. Rapid movements underneath the water soon exhaust the ciuantity of air contained in the lungs, '.,I3v I Ladies Diving. SWIMMINO AND LIFE-SAVINO. 5!) wlicicas if the person keeps p»'ifectly still, lie fiin remain Ix-low for a nuicli IniiLjci' {)erin(l. On one ooc'iisi(»ii I'fot'essor lllatt (wliom the authoi' met in ISSi.') rt'iiiaincd under water in a iflass tank, at a pulilic e.\hil)iti()n in liochcster, New ^'()rk, for the extriiordinary space of four iniinites (>le\('n and three (juaiter seconds. ( )n this occasion lie assumed a sittin<,' posture at the l)()ttom of tiic tank, dis- tinctly visil)le to the spectators thi'ou.ifh its glass sides; after a time his eyes closerl, his head di'oo])ed foi-ward on his chest, and his body rolled to one side in such a manner that the jx'oplc hecaujc alarmed and insisted on his heing taken out of the tank. This was instantly done, l)ut it took some time to restore the l^rofessor to consciousness. When ahle to stand upi'iifht, he staggered forward to the front of the platform and addressing the audience in a spirit of bravado, said, "Ladies and gentlemen, 1 can heat that." Professor IJlatt had great lung capacity, and with his lady companion, who al.^o posse.ssed great lung power, j>erfonned many interesting feats in their glass taidv heneatli the surface of the water, such as sewing, calculating sums on a slate, the tigures being called out by the audience, and other curious feats. Willie and Agnes IJeckwitli, of London, Kngland, with whom I became personally actjuainted during their stay in Toronto, also performed many e.vtraordinaiy feats in a large glass taidc at the Toronto Industrial Hxhiliition in ISS;!. The pearl and sponge divers of (Jeylon cannot remain below the surface longin- tiian two or three minutes, (\\pert divers though thi'V l)e, owing to the fact that in obtain- ing tln^.se articles the body is kept constantly in motion, thus e.xhanst- ing their stock of air, and compelling them to return to the surface for a fresh supi)ly. The pro[ier method is to enter the water with clcsed eyes, this, however, you will do naturally, but when beneath the sui'face they- should l)e opened in order to see where you are going. The range of vision is necessarily limited under the water, and varies greatly with its purity or otherwise. In the clear, fresh water of our great Cana- dian lakes, especially Like Superior, the waters of which are cele- brated for their purity, ol)jects i-an be discerned with wonderful cleai'ness for many fathoms beneath tl'" surface This fact is so well known, that passengers on our palace steamers fre(|uently throw small silver coin into the water for the pleasure of seeing the skill and dexterity displayed by som«! of the Indians in recovering them. A remarkable case of rescue under the most trying circumstances, which could only have been successful by plucky diving, is woithy of record here. 60 SWIMMINO AM) IJFK-SAVINO. In I)econil)t'r, ISIJT, tlic Kreiiuh ship, Noin-ctdt Calio/'-ur, was oiist ashore in the I'ayof Ziirriola, on the nortli const of Spain, viiiring a gale of wind ; the sea at tlie time was tunning so heavily that no hoat would ventuie to put olF. There was also a general helief that it was inipossilile for a hoat to l«e of any serviee. At this crisis the Uritish Vice-Consul of San Sebastian, Mr. K. I>. ^^arch, after unsuccessfully entreating some of the hystanders to accom- pany him, [)lunge(l into the sea, swam to tJie vessel, and succeeded in l)ringing a rope to land. The lope was then secuied, and one of the crew came ashore safely ; the second (a lad) lost his hold, dropped into the sea, and sank. Mr. March, though lieiunid.ed with cold, at the greatest personal risk, again swam to the vessel, dived under her keel, recovered the lad, and l)rought him to land. The remainder of the crew (which consisted of six men in all), got safely to land. Mr. March was for )i time completely prostrated from the etlects of his exertions and the inten.se cold, hut hy care and attention lu; was r(!store(l, a result scarcely to have; heen expected under the circumstances. For this highly meritorious act of bravery, Mr. ^larch received the Royal Humane Society's Medal and the Albert Medal of the (irst class. CHAPTER XXXII. SWIMMING IN CLOTHES. Swimming in clothes will greatly tend 'I'o make jou stiniig and brave. So that you may assistance lend Another's life to save. This is the highest grade of swimming, and should be encouraged by all swimming masters. The Royal Humane Society of i^ngland have recently issued a silver medallion, to be awarded to those skilled in this branch of the art, with a view to the greater pre.servation of life from drowning. The Dolphin Swimming Club have also av.'arded a number of silver medals with the same object in view. Sergeant Arthur 1'^. Price, of the Royal Grenadiers, a hero of Batoche, who holds the silver medal and clasp for that campaign, has also won the Andrews' Silver Afedals for 1883 and 1884, and the Wiman Silv'er Medal for 188."), for his proticiency in this difficult style of SWIMMING AND Ml'E-KAVINO. (il Tt is pai'ticiilarly iiewssary wlion' contests of this kind arc licld tliat tliP flothin^' to hr worn should he cleai'ly sj)fcili('d, in order that no rontcstant should f,'ain an unfaii- advanta<,'e over his fellows This method is also valuable wlien it is necessary to Junij) into the water to sav»! a fellow-oreatuie from diowninix. Kither the breast or side-stroke niiiy lie used at pK asure. cmAPTER XXX I II. UPRIGHT SWIMMING. The ujtrii^ht position in swimming is I'eeonnuended by some writers because in the " l)reast stroke"' the Iioad has to l)e bent back iti ordcM' to raise the i.;outh and chin clear of the surface, and pain in the back of the neck is sometimes the conse(|uence, especially if the swimmer is long iji the water. This difHculty can l>e met by t!ie swimmer chan<,dng position as the pain comes on. In the "side stroke " the swimmei' has oidy to incline the head toward the right or left shoulder, according to the side on whicli ho prefers to swim, and thus the e.xerci.se may be greatly prolonged. Some persons think that becau.se ma,nkind adopts the upright position in walking and running, they sliould swim in the same posi- tion. Those who advocate this method should rememlier that the greater the angle made l)y the legs the less tiie eliective power, and tliat with an inci'ease of depth there follows a projiortionate increase of pressure, and conse(iuently the more lal)or has t(t be expend<'d, with but little progress compared with any othei- style of sivimming. Signor Onni/io de liernardi. Professor of Swinnning in the Naval Academy at Naples, Italy, is a strong believer in the upright position in swinnning, going .so far as to say that a good swimmer ought to make three miles an hour in this way. The writer does not think it possible, unless the wind and current come to the assistance of the swimmer; but under any circumstance the lal)oi' incurred in this method renders it undesirable e.xcept for very short distances, or simply as an exercise in ornamental swimming. The upright, or perpendicular, swimming is practised by tlie natives of the East Indies, who swim out to meet vessels nearing tlieir shores, to secure employment in discharging cargo. They usually swim in the track of the vessels until picked u|) ; and, as they live on 62 .SWIMMING AM) IJFE-SAVINO. islands a clistiiiicf t'loiii tjic iiiiiinland, on the vessel's rt'tnin t rip wlicn ncjirint; tiicir Imines, they drop into tin- watfr with tlicir \vaj,'<'s, in " kind, " on tluMi' l)ai.'ks, r id make for laml ; and .1 It IioujkIi the distance is considerahie sometimes, and the current stion;^', their skill in swim- minji, a('(|uiit'd front (-iiihlhood, anrl their l)ravery. soon lands them safely at home. Ilavini,' loads on their hacks, they swim nearly upright, hut when rid of their burden they revert to the horizontal position. The French and (lerman militaiy schools teach upright swimming, Itegiiniing with perpendicular lloating (see Kig. 24); next they instruct the learn LIFK-SAVIN(i. G:5 test of wliiit iiiijLflit lif iu'(()iii|ilislic(l in an ciniTLtcncy. 'I'lic lirst jHTsnn to fU'rivn was N'iscdiint ("(Hirtioron, wiio left tlic swiinininL,' sclioiil in ii lidiit containini^ tliiittM-n men, and wlicn lie li.nl rcaclicil tlif (^uai ir()i'.say, lie IcaixMl into tin- watci', dicssfd and fully ('(luippod as an int'anti'y soldit'r, with accoutreim-nts on ; iissumini; the u|ii'ii,dit position, as dt'scrilicd licforc, ho raised liinisclt' out ot" the water at a distaneo of thirty fathoms, and (lisi'liar.i,'ed liis ritle, whieh eontiiined a hea\'v charge, and made ;i \cry hiud report; at this signal, an oM soMier who was stationed at Point Ivoyal, h'aped into tlie rivei- from a Ididge, the hei,i,dit beiufj; sixty-four feet, and swiniiiiinj^ to the front, carried to M. Courtioron a tin box containing (h'spatdies, wlio after reading,' them, swam to the l)oat to yive instru(;tions to liis men. Instantly sixty-live persons wlio had come with tiie cohjnel of the regiment in other lioats, leaped into the water and followed his movements as if on parade, the orders heing gi\en l)y sound of trumpet, and in this way the evolutions were caiiied out successfully. The cavali'v, mounted, are also exercised in swimming, so that in case of war, by this means an enemy may be surprised, or comrades rescued, or they may thus .save themselves. CHAPTHR XXXV. GERMAN SWIMMING SCHOOLS. " Scliwimnion zu koiino>" i.st sohr niitzlicli fiir einon Soldatun." Sfliliiclioir. The German Government devotes great attention to the training of the soldiers of the Empire in all kinds of athletic exercises, especi- ally in the art of swimming. (Jovernnient teacluM's of the art may b(> numbered by hundreds, and the general public are free to avail themselves of the advantages of the swimming .schools and teachers so easy of access, which they do most generally. Hence the Germans may be said to be a nation of swimm<'rs, and her sf)ldiers would pi'obably excel any in the world in swimming. The system taught is purely scientific, beginning with the swimming girdle with rope, this is ado[)ted until the learner has ac([uired cotitidence, then diving liegins, the legs being kept straight and close together, and so on, step by step, as in our own schools, only with more military precision. To show the excellence of German swimmers, I may mention that il 1> cornin;; in second. An account of a t{fan(l a(|iiatic tV;t(! (svi'itttMi l>y a (•()rr»'S|)()n(l('nt of the Jeviieji (tail (1 iw.otMfii Xrir-i) which was held on the l{i\cr Spccc, near ilcrlin, cannot fail to l>c intci'cstinj,'. It is Ljiven vt'rlxtlini : " List week we witnessed a spectacle of which tluM'e is scaniely an cxaniph^ in niodei-n times, a ' Swiinmin;,' Masquei'ade.' This •^rand spectaci(> was i,'iven liy the pu|)ils of the Itoyal Swiniiiiinj,' School, of Horlin, in honor of its twenty lifth anniversary, which lias turned out in that time '_'.'},•'< 6 •"> yood swimmers. .\t five o'clock p.m. I,2UU ffood swimmors, for the most part military men, met in the Uarrack S<|uare of the Infantry of thetJuard, and proceeded to a row of white tents erected on the hanks of the Spre<', where they put on theii" costumes. At ei,Lcht o'clock the foUosvini,' procession was seem to swim forwai'd and pass licfore the admiring ga/e of more than 40,000 spectators. l-'irst came a huge Hat boat, motainoi'})liosed into a large arbor, beautifully decorated, in which were three i)and.s, who executed niorrrdii.r of military music; then a. car in the sliaj)e of a shell, in which was seated old Father Nc^ptune, the god of the soa, with his hair and beard of reeds, and armed with a trident. This beautiful car was drawn by six ddlphins, and surrounded by a band of Nereids and Tritons, the latter with trumpets and clashing cym- bals. A large number of Indian musicians followed after, bearing on their heads brilliant plumes of variegated colors, and wearing collars and bracelets of coral and carrying Indian clubs. Then followed Scotchmen in Highland costume, Norwegians, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Jtalians, Russians and Portuguese, in their national costumes, in the order enumerated ; iie.xt came Uacchus, the god of wine, seated upon a gigantic cask, crowned with vine leaves and ivy, brandishing in the air his thyrsus, with which he directed the grotestjuo evolutions of a hundred Bacchantes, who sported around his tli die, following wliicli came the king of frogs, seated on a car of reeds. A gigantic frog represented his majesty, and he was followed by a train of the same species, though less in bulk ; and last, though not least, came 200 jolly Jack Tars, dressed in full inan-of-war costume of various nationalities, and singing their own national songs. The immense crowds of people who were drawn together to witness this magniticent, S\VIMMIN<; AND IJFE-SAVINO. (j:. tlinnyh .stniiij,'!', si;^lit, moved alxMit on tlic lianks of tlio river in (•firriii;i,'es, on linrsehjick, of on foot, some sailed aliont in small Imats tastefully adorned witli ;,Mrlands and tlowers. " An Anecdote of " Our Fritz. " That tiiic soldier, tlie late lamente(i l-'mju'ror Krederick III., the desiited hiisliand of our heloved <^)neen's eldest dauifhter, the I'rincess Royal of Mniiland, was oiu; of the sti'on'^'est and most expert swimmers in the army, and duriiii,' the summer months he was accustomed to take exercise eiirly I'very mnrnin!,' in the vast <,'arrisoii swimmini^ school at Potsdam. He was a man of a jovial disposition, and l>y no means averse to a h:uiuless pr.ictical joke, and he frei|nently amused himself, when I lie school has been full of liui^e Ltuardsmen, l)y ssvimminjf ra})idly up to some clumsy Anak, sei/ini,' hini l>y the neck, and duckiny his head under till he i,'asped enom,di ; luit the i'lmperor, or as he was best known as t he ( 'lowri Prince, could take as well as play a joke, and one mornin;j;oftei' duckinif several of the fiinious lir.st ref{i- ment of < Irenadiers, in which he himself had <;raduated. Ik; called out aloud, '• Now you may try it on me if you can." Il»; had hardly spoken the words when ))is lUH-k was jfrasped from liehiiul as by a vice, and he found liiinself compelled to perform seveial involuntary dives so [)i'olon.i,'et' oiir lielovcd (^»ueeii, tlio I'rineess Koyal ot' hlnnland, was lovely and amialile in her youth, hij,dily accomplished and devoted to duty as wife and mothei-, and in her exalt(;d station showed herself nc\er more happily employed than when ministerinj^ to tlwtse aiilicted or distressed dov.n to the hunihlest of the poor, and hei- future life, it is said, will be chiefly spent in this nolilo manner. The devotion and aU'ei-tion existing' itetween herself and the I'lmperor was somethinj;f sublime and heavenly; and all the Eni,dishspeakinji race tlir(ni;,diout the ".dohe, as well as the Gei-mans and French, mourn with her in her comparatively early widowhood. CHAPTER XXXVf. ORNAMENTAL SWIMMING. (Jood swimmers will in many ways In water calm and still, Find fiusli chances for (li-sjilays Of their atjuatic skill. TJh^ writer believes that the instructions already imparted will be found sufficient for all purposes of general utility, and that practice alone is necessary to make perfect — he believes that some details of dexterity in the water, which come under the title of Ornamental Swiminint,', w'ill be useful — althonnh it is intended to be as concise as possilile, owing to their accomjilishinent not being necessary in the ordinary sense of useful swimmim;-, and also because good swimmers can find but little difficulty in their performance. The illustrations accompanying each chapter, all of which have been drawn from life, will be a material help to the learner in niaster- inff more readily the detailed instructions. The above remarks are for the benefit of those who have syste- matically follovved instructions from the commencement of the work. SWIMMIN(; AM) I.IFKSAVINt;. To Sw'Ti Without Using Either Hand. 67 Tlion; are tlirco modes of (loinir this. 1. On thti fu'i'n.ii, iritJi Imlli htinits in _/■/•o)(^— The ho(\y has to Le licld nioro («r('it tliixn a lien oiu' liiiiid is used, tlic chest well futwaid, and the liead thrown liaek. The further the hand.' arc licid forward the more elosely tlio postiiVe of tlie l-ody has to appro-Jniate to u Km. WA. perpend icul: • position, or that of treadini? water. The thumhs should hehicked tof,'ether, and the action of the limbs similar to tiiat in th(! breast stroke (see Fig. 315). '1. On the brcdsf, with both hands iiJiind the ('^'rc/i. Tliis mcde is called the "butterfly," owing to a fancied resend)lance the movenK'nt.s of the hands have to the wings of that insect, the hands flapping tho Fm. 34. water at the small of the back. This i.s a more elegant", but a les.s useful way tlian either the preceding or following way (see Fig. ;U.) 3. With one hand before and the other hand behind the bodi/.—This is easily managed when swimming on the side. It is a useful plan when speed is required, as a rate equal to ordinary breast swimming 68 SWIMMFNCi AND MFE-SAVING, may bo obtained i»y it. Tiic action oi:' tlic Ic^'s is siiiiilai' to that usee! ill the si(i(! stroke, but the body lias to be kept more erect. To Swim on the Back, Feet First, Without Using the Feet. 'I'iiere are several methods. 1. The arms should Iw. held straight and elose to the side, while the hands, by a .semi-circular turn of the wrist, scull the body. 2. Each arm to descril)c a (juarter circle, the palms of the hands strikinj^ downward and l)ackward like a paddle-wheel of a steamer. 3. The arms may l)e raised clean out of the water in making the negative stroke, and drawn through the water towards the head in the positive stroke, this method secures good speed when well exe cuted. 4. The arms to l)e extended beyond the head, sculling the liody along by the exterior and lateral movements of the wrist, similar to the feathering of an oar, this is i)oth a simph^ aiid graceful method, although but little practised (see Fig. oT)). Km, as. To Swim on the Back, Head First, Without Using the Feet. The hands have simply to imitates the action of a duck's foot, be- ing held down close to the tJiighs. The speed obtainal>le is \ery good, and the motion easy and natural. To Swim Backwards on the Breast. The swimmer is to place himself in the first position of the "breast stroke," that is, the legs and arms are to be extended in a line with the body, and kept close together. The legs must be lield perfectly rigid, the action of the feet (a gentle motion u}) and down) is to pro- ceed merely from the ankles, either upon the surface or immediately below ii. The hands are to be drawn back with the palms tog(!th(>r under the chin, and then the arms are to be straightened out in front, SWIMMINfJ AND LIFE-SAVING. 69 the water l)ei!i^ pushed back with the pahns of the hands ; anothfr method of using the liands is to keep tlie arms close togetiici-, and sculling as it were in small arcs with the hands. Semi-Somersaults. Semi-somersaults c.in he turned when swimming either on the breast or on the back. On tiih hkkas'I'. — To turn a somer-sault while swimming on the breast, two or three vigf>rous strokes ai'e to lie made, then the; arn)s should be suddenly struck down, while the chin is pressed upon the chest, and the legs are doubled back upon the thighs, wliicli have to l)e kept in a line with the body, tliese combined movements will at once throw the swimmer over on his back. 0\ THK HACK. — This is done by using both arms and legs, the negative arnt sti'oke should lie made in the ail', and the positive stroke, with considerable force, is to be made deep in the water, the Kifi. ;5ti. liead being bent completely back and at the same time the knees are to be drawn up to the chest (see Fig. 30), these movements will cause the feet to travel faster than the body, and immediately half a revo- lution is performed. Although, to the uninitiated, they may appear diriicult, a little confidence and practice is all that is re(juired to make the movement a success. Somersaults, In order to turn a comolete somersault, the swi.nmer who has mastered the .semi-somersaulLS will hnd that he has only to make 70 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. eitlior the first or socniid scries of inovoiucnts a little more viry f(>w swimmers can achieve this, unless in a stream current or lying broadside on the waxes of the sea where the motion of the water greatly facilitates that of the l)ody. Still fewer can continue it more than a few seconds, the ditliculty being to take a breath while I'cvolving. The most elegant manner of performing this feat is with the hands clasped beyond the head, with legs and arms straight and I'igid, wiien the cause of revolution is imperceptible to the spectator. The motion, though tardy at tir.st, is accelerative, so if continued for a time, the velocity becomes considerable. This mano'uvre is, by many con- sidered tlie "masterpiece" of swimming. The writer only knows of five persons who could accomplish this clever ac^uatic feat in "still " water. To Swim Holding One Foot. There are four methods of doing this : 1st. The right foot being held in the left hand. 2nd. The left foot being held in the right hand. f\ 70 SWIMMING AND UFE-SAVINO. ."•rd. Tlic left fciot Ix'iiij,' held in the left liaiul. Itli. The light foot hcinghchi in the rij^ht Iwind. Ill the first iind serond methods the swimmer has to lie on liis lireast, tlie diseii,ifa<^ed hand and foot haviniLC to he worked as in the (h>,y stroke. In tlie third and fourth metliods the swimmer is to lie on his side, l'<-foriiiin,at utility in testini,' the fapahilities of the swiimner to tciiiiiin uiulfr water for any coiisider- ii\>U' It'iif^tli of tiiiic. A iiunilicr of ,i,'oo(l swiinmcrs, say tiftcoii, take |>art ill tht! sj)ort ; one of tliciii acts as the duck: he has a few minutes" start ; tin; others then j)lunt,'e in and endeavor to reaeh him ; when they approach too close the duck dives, and swinnnin;; under water as long as he can contain his lireath, re-appears in an entirely diflerent direction, keeping tliis uj) until he is exhausted, when anothei' swimmer takes liis place, and so the sport continues. Tub Race. This proves a very amusing event in the sports of a swimming cluV). Each contestant provides his own tuh and paddles. The start should he made direct from the wharf, or landing stage, with each person .seated in their t 1>, the paddle in the right liand, the left hand on the wharf, with an intervening space of at least tive feet, to prevent any collision at the start. Flu. i^i. The course should be out, say 500 yards, around the buoy, turning from right to left, and home again. All contestants must turn the l)Uov in that way, thus insuring an interesting race, and fair play for all who take part in the sport. Water Polo. In this sport ten or more persons are provided with casks, in imita- tion of horses, and bats with blades at both ends, similar to a canoe paddle, which serve the double purpose ot maintaining their ecpiilib- rium and propelling them in any direction, as shown in the illu.stra- tion on next page. 7H SWIMMINfJ ANI> LIKE-SAVINO. 'I'll" i,'();i!s should he iiiiulu of lloiits, sui'iiiouiitccl l)y a llai,', two at <'acli end of tin* course — say ton feet apart, ahrcast of ono another, — through which the hall must pass. The lla<,'s should lie of dill'erent colors to (lesi<,'iiate the sides, thi' men wearing' badges of similar colors for the same ohject. ^.J^Uii^r'' ^ .f^^mAi Km. 46. The hall should be a hollow rubber one, which will be found sulhciently buoyant for the purpose ; the men use their paddles in the same manner as a bat or shinny, endeavoring to force the ball between the flags, as in our own national game of lacrosse. CHAPTER XXXVII. LEARNING TO SWIM WITH THE AID OF A TEACHER. Parents can assist materially in teaching their children to swim. Illustration on page 79 will show how this can best be accomplished with the aid of a pole, rope and belt— the latter should be from six to eight inches broad — -of cotton webbing, or some other strong Learning to Swim with the Aid of a Teacher. 80 SWIMMING AND !,1KK-SAVING. iiiatcfiiil. Slidiilil tilt' l(!.ss()ii l)t> i^'ivt'ii oil' ii. wlnirt' oi' pier, tlic pupil slionld cuter tlic watci' iit the sluillow fiid, wjuliiii^ out till broast \n}>\\, tlicn tlic pcrsDii stiuidiii;^ on the pier should hand t\w bather tho belt to bo put on. or it can l)c adjusted liet'ore ent(Tinj,' the water. The (eachi'r, by raising' Ine pole, will lnii lc the learner to a horizontal position in the water. Then proceed, accordinj^ to the instructions driven under the head of " Mreast sti'oke." Do not "duck"' or othcrwist! t'rij,'hteii the learner. Many pupils liave a natural timidity of water ; such persons re(piire to be gently treated and encouraged, so as to yet rid of their fears. CHAPTER XXXVIII. PUBLIC SWIMMING SCHOOLS. The citizens of Canada should nuiko (u-ery ell'ort posssible to extend a knowledge of the art of swinnning by erecting as inanv liuildings of this kind as possible, in order that Canadians may sonu' day e.\cel the world in swinnning, as they now do in roving. It is to be regretted that, while bathing is so giMierally recommended by the highest medical authorities, it should be so seldom practised. Professor Hlaikie said, when speaking of the j)i'opri»!ty of e.stab- lishing public swimming baths, "he had often, while, studying the classics, been astonished that in devoting .so much attention to theii- languages, they practised so few of the customs of the ancients. Gymnastics were absolutely necessary to the preservation of health, and bathing formed one very important part of gymnastics. . Those gymnastics which excite, and those that soothe the physical frame, were as necessary to the development and perfect toning of the liroperties of the body, as education was to those of tlie mind." In many of the public swimming baths in England, where class distinc- tion is much more mjirked than it is in Canada, where the spirit of a pure democracy prevails, there are three distinct grades of baths, styled first, second and third class, the scale of charges being graduated accoixling to the accommodation. For instance, the Marylebone Jiaths, of London, England, contains not only the gem bath of seventy- three feet long for gentlemen, and one of forty-tive feet long for ladies, but a second-class bath of tepid water, sixty six feet long, the charge for admittance being threepence ; also a third-class bath SVVIMMINO AND r.IFK-SAVING. SI of similar diiiKMisioiis, for which twctponoc only is cJmrv'tMl. All of timso lire udminiltly lighted, airy luid ch.'aii — ov«mi the thud class liath Ix'in'' lined with white lirii-k. Pulilie hath.'; should iibvavs have an ;iiii|ile supply of liathiuL; di'a\v(M's, t'tc., so as to he an indueenieiit to visitors to tak(! a plunge; the luxury, when onoo enjoyed, will tiien l)(! desired l']\ery swiiuuung cluh is, or ought to l)e, provided with a pi'(»per uniform. The uniform of the Dolphin Swimniiiig Cluh eon sists of i\. hlue serge comI)ination suit (one piece), of the I'egulation pattern, from neck to kui'c. The suit is neatly trimmed with red and white, the whole constituting the tri-color. Aci'oss thv hreasl arc the letters I). S. (J., forming a handsDUU^ and attractive uidform. When a([uatic entertainments are given, and ladies come to wi( uess tluMii, "regulation dress" is very proj)erly insisted on. and some sort of costume should at all times l»e compulsory. Puhlic l)aths are a hlessing to e\t,'ry locality in which tiiey are situated ; if it were not for them, many thousands in large cities would he doomed to live out their lot on earth in pent-up, ill-venti hited dwellings, where fresli air and the genial sun enter not : tlnnr journey to their })lace of daily toil is hy roads alternately uuiddy and dusty, and they would never, but for tho.se pul)lic haths, enjoy the hlessing of a thorough aljlution, thus relieving the m-'^ -.very inducement for tlie t'omfort of l)athers. Indeed, it may truly bo said, that the directors have left notliing to be (U^sired, everything in the department being well and skilfully planned, and the materials and woi'kmanshtp are the best that money could purchase, and the excellence of the arrangements are fully appreciated liy the meml>ers ; the fact that over 200 pei'sons enjoy the dillbreu.' branches of the exercises sutiiciently prove their pojiularity. There is a swimming-liatii oO ft. x IG ft., with n deptii on entry of 4 ft. G inches, uicreariing to "> ft. G in., containing "Jo, 000 gallons of water, which is changeable at pleasure, and is maintained at a temperature of about 70 degrees during the winter months. There are separate bath-rooms of the ordinary kind, with hot and cold water, also shower and needle baths, with hot and cold water supply, which the bather can regulate as desired. Access to all the privileges of this splendid establishment, including library and reading room, may be had for .^7.00 per annum. The advantages of membership can hardly be over-estimated, and an inspection of the concern will amply repay visitoi's. The courteous and efhcient (General Secretary, Mr. Wm. McCuUoch, is noted, for his kind attention to all, especially to stranaer.s, who are sure to receive at his hands a cordial welcome. CHAPTER XL. SWIMMING RACES. 'i'o attain success in a swinmiing competition, the horizontal posi- tion is jireferable to all otliers, as it enables the swimmer to get over more ground, or rather water, at a much greater .speed than can be obtained 1)V anv water, the j)iimary cau.se of this is the fact tliat tliey draw their lei,'s up un(h'rneath the body instead of laterally, as already descri lied in the lireast stroke. The frop;, so frefjuently ([uoted as a model for swimmei's, diaws his legs uj) laterally instead of undei- the liody, thus obtaining a much more powerful stroke, its forepaws are tucked under the chin, and are used simply to buoy the body up near the surface, while all the propelling powei' is centred in its legs. Catch one and place it in a tub of water and see for yourself. The nearer you can bring your own legs to kick like the frog the better, adding to this knowledge the information given in the chapter on the bre;ist stroke. If there is a tendency to get out of this correct position of the body by depression, the chest should be laid with nion? force upon the water, and the head a little thrown back, thus raising the chin and clearing the waves, at the same time the lindjs should be raised (but not above the surface), this efTort will replace the body in the true hoi'izontal position. Care must be taken not to make the strokes too near ^h > surface, which would cau.se foaming and splashing. The strokes should be made so as to ol)tain a good grip of the water, and this is obtained not by increasing the angle of iniflination of the whole l)ody, but by depressing it uniformly through its entire length. It is (juite easy to understand the theory that the lighter tlie draught, the greater the speed, as described above in relation to vessels. A few words regarding respiration will doubtless prove valuable. AVlien the arms are e.xtended and the legs drawn up ready for the )>ropel- ling stroke, a deep breath should be inhaled. When making the stroke, it should be expelled. You will find this very useful, in a swinuning contest especially, as it prevents you liecoming exhausted or out of breath, and will enable you to remain fresh and buoyant for H very long time, l)esides adding greatly to the force of your strokes. SWIMMlNCi AND LIFE-SAVING. 87 CHAPTER X[J. SWIMMING CLUBS. The Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain. This !issooiation was estal)lisht'le prizes are awarded to the winners. Since its organization the club has awarded nine gold medals of the first class, two handsome silver cups, and forty-live silver medals, besides numerous other valuable prizes for skill and dextei'ity in the art of swimming. It is the intention of the club to oHer special prizes for competi- tion by the pupils attending the Public Schools. This, it is hoped, will secure a large share of support from the citizens generally. I SWIMMING AND l,IFE-SAVIN(J. SfJ DOLPHIN SWIMMING CLUB. OFFICERS 1889. Honorary President : Ekastis Wimax. Es^^, - . - - Founder of the IViman llatli^. Honorary Vice-Presidents : .FoHN J. WiTHKow, Esq Jas B. Bovstead, Esq. Edwaiu) .1. Tacklkv, Thos. J. Darmno. Esq., Iltiii. Si'i. Aiiiat(utr Sirimiiiiit'i AnKoeiation, lion. Si'c, Montreal Swiininiu'i Ctuh. William (jIoodehhasi, Esq. H. P. (i()01>, Esq. President, - - - - RoiJEKT Elliott, Esq. A. F. PiKiE, Es(^ Cai'tain \V. D. Andrkws, HoHoritrii Mcilai and C/c^p.v, Itniial Ihniiane Scfietii. Vice-Presidents, - - - Authir Prick, Alfred Potter. Umpire, Secrclarii, Treasurer, - Captain, Cliih Stewards, Cai'taix C. (J. Harston. fliiiKirarii Mi-tlnl, Ruiinl Humane Society. ('. T. Price. R. E. Mosev. J. Ii. Rawhone. Iliiiiiirdrji Medal, Royal lliimnne Society. E. A. Willi AM.S, G. T. Goldstone. 00 SWIMMINCJ AXn MFE-SAVINO. n AUDACES FORTUNA JUVAT. LIST OF Mi:i)M, LISTS SISCE tssi ROLL OF HONOR. LIFE-SAVING MEDALLISTS. " liisfiir llic ffrhhiiiii " Ciiptiiiii W. L). Andukws, L.S.S., Kivo (iold Life-Siiviiiy Modiils of tlic fir.st class, with additioiiiil clasps ; Bnm/c McMliil of the Royal Hiiiiuuk; Society, with clasps, etc Capt. \\m. Wakd, Silver Medal and clasp, K. M.S. ,1. j). Patky, iJioiize Medal, R. U.S. (Japt. J. \j. Rawisonk, D.S.C, Wiiiiaii (Jold Medal; llioiize Medal, Royal Humane Society. Seryt. A. Iv I'kick, IMi., Silver Medal, D.S.C. HU(;ii V. 1'avnk, Silver Medal, R.HS. (apt. C. (i. Hakston, R.(i., lirouze Medal, Royal Humane Society. Thomas Roiunson, Silver Medal, W.H.S. Frank Tinnini;, Rionze Meilal, R.H.S. Honorary Medallists : C. T. I'KICE, Andrews' Silver Medal. R. K. .Mosky, Andrews' Silver .Medal. Silver Cup Winners : \V. H. I)i'RA.M>, Silver Cup, ISH.'i. (J. \V. Hvsloi', Silver Cup, 1885. Lady Prize Winners : li: Miss Ada I'iiilmi-s. Miss Mai'.ki. I'i.atts. Swimming Medallists : " Mdij the lU'Hl .)/(.'/( Will." Capt. W, 1). ANriUKWS, one j,'old medal. A. Dixon, two silver medals. Sergt. A. E. I'kick, five silver medals. Alkkiod Tottkr, live silver medals. CiiARr.Ks I'lnci;, two silver medals. Aliskrt Brown, two silver medals. CiiARLi'.s I'owicM., one silver nieilal. Frank Prick, two silver medals. Hkrhkut Cowan, one silver medal. Gkokck 1'mmi'., (in<' .siher nu'dal. Charles NuRSK, one silver medal, (i. F. WkiU'.kr, .)ne sih-er medal. .1. T^. Rawhonk, one gold, one silver d. D. I'ATiiV, four silver medals, medal. J. Scmiaiidt, three silver medids. (I. '1'. (loi.DSTONK, one silver n)edal. FrcNKST Prick, two silver medals. .1. M. Lanofikli), two silver medals. W, Smith, one silver ntedal. F. \V. Matthews, one silver medal. M. F. Smith, three silver medals. D. MossM AN, one silver medal. F. Hawkins, two silver medals. C. Di.xoN, one silver medal. E. Corlett, one gold, one silver medal. SWIMMINO ANT) I.II'E-SAVINO. 91 Dolphin Swimming Club. IllMCS. 1. That this cliil) he caUocl tho " Doljiliiii Swiimiiiiii; ('IuI>,''iim(1 that its purpose Ik> tlic ciicouraLri'iiioiit and tcachint,' <>t' suiiiimiiii;, and saviui;' of lir'c ti'om di'owiiin^' ; and tliat the crest and inotto, '' Honor, Heroism, llmnanity," (U'siifiied t'or tlie ehd) liy ( 'aptiin Andrews, he adopted, and the same Itecome tlie end)lem of the ekd) : and that the clult i;oh>rs he red, wliite, and Ijlue. ■J. 'I'iiat the mend)ershi[) of tliis chil) !)e open to all, but only amateurs shall be permitted to compete in the sj)oi-ts of the club during the yeai', except in an open race, which may include j)rofes- sionals. The follosvinj^ is tlu^ correct definition of an amateur ; An amateur is one who has never competed for a money ))rize, declared wau;ei', or staked l)et ; who has ncn'er tau<(ht, pursued, or assisted in the practice of swimmini( or any other athletic exercise as a means of pccuniai'y gain ; and who has not, knowingly or without protest, taken part in any competition or exhibition with any one who is not an amateui'. .'i. That all members appear in the regulation (lostume of the club, both at practices and competitions. \. 'I'hat the club costume consist of a combination suit of shirt and drawers, in one piece. .Matei-ial of blue serge, with red and white ti'iinmings — the whole forming a tri-color ; the club to furnish the letters 1). S. ('., in white, to lie worn on the breast of the uniform. 5. That the annual sul)scription Ije two dollars for all persons over eighteen years of age, who will be known as junior infiiihi'm, and one dollar for all under that age, who will be sfy\ed junior inriiibers. (). Only those membei's whose suV)scriptions arc paid in full will be allowed to compete in the aiuiual swimming tournament. 7. The annual swimming tournament will be held as early in the season as possible, when medals and otlier valual.'le pi'i/.es will be oflered for competition. S. That the connaittee of management liave full control of all matters ajipertaining to the annual sports of the club, and all entries must be mad(> with tlie 8ecretary, to whom, also, all entrance fees must be paid at least five days previous to the date tixed for the tournament. 9. That the gold mcdid of this club be awarded only for bravery in saving life from drowning, and tliat in cases where the winner of this medal again performs an act of heroism ecpial in merit to that 92 SWIMMINO AND Ml K-SA VlNfi. wluch fijiiiiicd liiiii tlin iiu'dal, ii jj;ol(l clasp may he u(l(l(>(l for each suc- cet'fliiii; act. 10. That the silver iiicdal he awarded to the wiiiiieis of each event in the annual swiMiininj,' races, and that such winners shall not further compete during the races of the year, so that the honors of the cliih may lie fairly divided anioni,' its memlx'rs 11. 'J'hat the otlicers of this elul) consist of a President, Vice- President, Secrt'tary and Treasurer, who shall hcM'lected at the ar.nual i^cnoral meeting; ; thest^ ollicers to he ix-ojftciu mendiei's of the com- mitteo of mana;^ement. 12. That tlu! Captaincy of the club lie j,'iven to the ln'st long-distance swimmer amoui,' tht^ ineml)ers, the race for this otlice being free to all, the winner to enjoy Ins title so long as he maintains his supremacy, l."5. All the business of the club to be controlled by the^ managing committee. 11. Tills committee to consist of nine members elected annually, five of whom sh.iU form a quorum. The committee to meet bi-monthly (lui'ing the season ; these meetings are open to every bona Jide mem- l)er. 1"). That the annual meeting b(; held immediately after the swim- ming tournament, when the prizes shall be present(;d, the oflicers for the ensuing year elected, and the committe appointed for the coming season. : ■ CHAPTER XLII. THE PROPER METHOD TO BE ADOPTED IN RESCUING DROWNING PERSONS BY SWIMMING TO THEIR RELIEF. "Courage and humanity are the greatest of Nature's adornnionts." —Jldiliitij. This is something that every .swimmer ought to know. Many of our best swimmers shriidc involuntarily from making the attempt to save a fellow-creature in danger of perishing. The tirst requisites in ordei- to etiect a rescue successfully are courage and pre.sence of mind. Always approach tlie person in danger ironi behind. If clothed seize the person by the collar of his coat, or if naked by the hair of the head, press your knee in the small of his back, as .shown in Fig. 47 ; this will straighten out the S\VI.MMIN(J AND LIFK-SAVINO. 93 body liorizoiitully, wliilt' tlic str.'iin ii|i(iii ilic uriu of llir icscucr in towiiij.' Iiiiii will k(M'|) till' f;ic(! ot' tlic |H'r.snii rescued eleiir of the Kid. 17. water (Kij,'. 4S), thus eiiahlini,' liiiii t(t hreatlu^ freely, the rescuer usiiii,' his rii,'lit arm and linib.s to enal^le him to reach tlio shore or otht;r position of safety. •^3d: ^^i^%4^ KlH. -JS. When the person endanger<;d keeps tnrniiii,' round, as some have doiu^ with the writt^r, it is l)est to swim around them until the person can be so seized {is mentioncMl, from l)eliind, thus avoiding the drowninc; person's .ij;rasp, which is very tenacious. Should you, how- ever, happen to be seized by the j^rasp of a drowninj,' person, which so frequently proves fatal to both, do not lose your presence of mind, but having taken a f'dl breath allow yourself to sink with the person. In nine cases out of ten he will let go his hold and endeavor to reach tlur surface, believing that you an; also in danger of drowning. ^^^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT.3) 4 i-'^ V .» , ^^.f 1.0 I.I " lii 112.2 hi (J I. 1.8 11-25 III 1.4 IIIIII.6 V] <^ n Ta /A J %! y ^ 94 SWIMMING AND IJFE-SAYING. Should, liowever, the grasp be retained, endeavor to force them away by pressing the knees against the abdomen. In either case you can tlien seize the person from behind, rise to tlie surface and strike out for sliore, as ah'eady described. Fio. 49. Tlie writer has frequently encountered persons who acted in both ways, and is therefore speaking from a long experience. Another good plan is for the rescuer to throw himself upon his back, jtlacing the person's liead on the pit of his own stomach, as shown in Fig. 49, kicking out vigorously with his legs at right angles, Vm. 50 SWIM Ml. NT; AND I.IFK-SAVIXO. 95 as in hack swiiiuiiiny, having previously taken a lin(! of aligniiiont to steer by. Ill this way he can accomplish a rescue with much greater ease. The author on ont; occasion rescued two persons in this way, for which he received the IJron/.e Medal of the Royal Humane Society. When P^M^^a Km. 51. the person lias sunk and it becomes necessary to dive, you can be guided by tlie air bubl)les which rise to the surface, perpendicularly if the water is still, and diagonally if the stream is running (Fig. 50). Immediately on reaching the bottom, seize the per.-on, a slight jerk will surtice to raise the body, and the surface may be reached in a few seconds by pressing the watei' downward with the disengaged hand and both feet in the usual way (Fig. .'il). it may be, owing to the discoloration of the water or other causes, the person who sank reaches the surface while the would-be rescuer is searching beneath. In such a case it is best to await above for a re-appearance. The following case is recorded, being interesting : A man accidentally fell into a liver; being unable to swim, he sank almost immediately ; a brave young fellow, in the de.sire to save 96 swiMMiNO AND lifp:-saving. his life, dived in the direction he wus hist seen. While the rescuer was down searching for the man who sank, the latter rosf. to the surface. The rescuer coming up, found the man had sunk for the second time ; instead vi diving again the fellow swam round until the man again came to the surface, when the rescuer seized him by the back and towed him ashore. • IJefore making the attempt at rescue, divest yourself of as much clothing as possible, tearing them off if necessaiy, at idl events remove your boots if time permits. There may be cases when time will not permit the removal of any portion of clotliing. It was [uirtioularly so in the rescue of a young man in Toronto Hay, August, 1884, when the author i)lunged in witli all his clothes on, including boots, but was seized by the drowning youth in such a manner that both sank ; rising to the surface, however, he struck out again for the shore and reached shallow water in safety. I have been frequently asked wliy a drowning person I'ises to the surface two or three times. My own belief is that the air remaining in the lungs may not become entirely exhausted at the iirst immersion, consetjuently the l)ody possesses suilicient buoyancy to rise again. This may be repeated a second or even a third time, according to the (piantity of air in the lungs. The rescuer should at all times be governed by circumstances in Ids efforts to reach the shore, always taking care to avoid wasting his strength against an adverse tide, by which he may be lost as well as the person for whom he risked his life ; whereas if he had patiently floated on his back, a boat or other aid may arrive, and his eiibrt be thus crowned with success. CHAPTER XLIII. DIRECTIONS FOR RESTORING THE APPAR- ENTLY DROWNED, RECOMMENDED L/ THE DOLPHIN SWIMMING CLUB. " While tliere's life tliere's hope." — Old Provvrh. Rule 1. — Proceed at once to employ means to restore breathing. Do not delay this in order to procure sheltei-, warmth, stimu- lants, etc. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. 97 Eule 2. — Remove all obstructions to breathing. Instantly loosen or cut apart all neck and waist bands ; turn the patient on the face with the head lower than the feet ; stand astride the hips with your face toward the head, and locking ^'^'ur tii,-7ers together under the Km. hi. abdomen, raise the body as high as you can witliout lifting the forehead off the ground, and give the body a sn\art jerk to remove mucus and water from the mouth and wind-pipe. Hold the body susj^ended long enough to count one, two, three, four, five, repeating the j(Mk more gently two or three times (see Fig. r)2). Kio. .^3. Rule 3. — Ne.^t place the patient on the back on a flat surface inclined a little from the feet upwards, laise and support the head and shoulders on a firm cushion, or folded article of dress, placed under the shoulder blades, cleanse the mouth and nostrils, open the 08 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. .notith, (li'iiNV forward the piitient's tongue, securing it tlH're either hy holding it witli the lingers, oi" by a piece of string or elastic hand placed ovei' it and under the chin (see Fig. A3). Ruin .'/. — (irasp the patient's arms just above the elbows, anfl draw the arms gently and steadily upwai'ds until they meet above the head (this is for the purpose of drawing air into tlu; lungs). Keep the arms in this position for two seconds, and then turn them down and press them gently and firmly against the sides of th<^ chest, j)ressing at tli»; same time on the breast and abdomen (this is with the object of pressing air out of the lungs) (see Fig. .")4). Pressing on the abdomen by an assistant will aid expii'atory etlbrts. Repeat these measures alternately and deliberately until a spontaneous elloi't to breathe is pei'ceived, innnediately upon which cease to imitate the movements of bi'cathing, and proceed to induce circulation and warmtli. Fio. 54. Rule, '). — To excite respiration, during the employment of the foregoing methods, e.xcite the nostrils with snuff, or smelling salt.s, or tickle the throat with a feathei'. Rul> the che.st and face briskly, and dash cold and hot water alternately upon the patient. Do not be soon discouraged. Remember that at any time within two hours your efforts may be successful. Rule i). — To induce circulation and warmth, after breathing is commenced, wrap the patient in warm blankets, and apply bottles of hot water, hot bricks, or anything to restore lieat. Warm the head nearly as fast as the body, lest convulsions should be induced. Rubbing the body with warm cloths, or with the hands, and slapping the Heshy parts, may assist to restore warmth and breathing. If the patient can swallow with safety, give hot coffee, tea, milk, or spirits. Allow the patient to have abundance of fresh air. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. 09 Wharf owners, and other persons residing near tlie water, should keep a coil of rope and pieces of boards in some convenient place, ready for immediate use. To Persons who Cannot Swim. If you get into water beyond youi' depth, do not plunge, struggle, or throw your hands and arms out of the water. "Tread water" in the erect position by moving the feet up and down, at the same time paddlnig with the hands, keeping the;ii under water. If any person approaches to rescue you, {(reserve your presence of mind and do x.ot grasp him ; do what he tells you. If any small object be thrown to you, pla,ce it under your chest or arm-pits, and do not struggle to raise yourself out of the water ; your head will not go under if you follow these instructions, and you may keep your nioutli and nose above water long enough for assistance to arrive. By considering these directions carefully now, you will be less apt to lose your presejice of mind, should occasion arise for acting on them. Parents should have their children taught to swim. Many drowning accidents miH FOU RE.SCUICS OR ArnCMPTEIJ KESCUK8 — NUMUKH OK I'KRSONS RESCUED. It is a very remarkable fact that the list of persons to whom award* have been made embrace almost every rank of life, including officers and men in the army, navy, volunteers, police, clergymen, professional men, tradesmen, laborei'.s, school lioys and girls, ladies, and even female domestic servants, shoeing that human virtue is no respecter of persons. Should any of my readers wish to help in the noble work of this most deserving Society, they can communicate with the Secretary, Captain I. W. Home, -i Trafalgar Stjuare, Charing Cross, London, England. To the Royal Humane Society. All honor to the men of brain, Who first conceived the plan ( )f restoring ti> life again An almost drowned man. Throuifh your instructions we can gain That victory over death. Which makes the lieart revive again And gives the nosti-ils breath. Your noble acts the world records Ui)on its scroll of fame ; Where actions speak more loud than words. We find your honoi-ed name. The medals that you oft confer For saving human life, Are worn by men who them prefer To those of battle's strife. Medals^and Clasps of the Royal Humane Society. 104 SWIMMINfJ A\l) IJFE-SAVFNG. Loll},' may your grand Society Kcwfivd tho truly hravo, Who risk tliuir lives hy land and sea Another's life to save. — W, D. A. Description of the Medals and Clasps of the Royal Humane Society. ' "The medal, faithful to its charge of fame, Through climes and ages hears each form and name ; In one short view, suhjected to our eye, ( "SOCIETAS LONDINT TN RESUHCITA- TTONExM INTERMORTUORUM INSTITUTA, MDCCLXXIY." "The (Royal Ifumane) Society established in London for the recovery of persons in a state of suspended animation, 1774." The reverse of the medal exhibits a civic wreath, wliich was the Roman reward for Saving life ; the inscription round it expresses the merit wliich obtains this honor from the Society : " HOC PRETIUM GIVE SERVATO TULIT."— "He has obtained tin., reward for having saved the life of a citizen." Within the wreath is the following inscription abbreviated: " VITAM OB SERVATAM DONO DEDIT SCCIETAS RE(!IA HUMANA."— " The Royal Humane Society presented this gift for saving life." There is a second reverse to the Society's medal, with the civic wreath only, which is used when the medal is presented to person.'"! who have endeavored to save the life of others at the risk of their own, but without success ; tlie inscription reads : " VITA PERICULO EXPOSITO DONO DEDIT SOCIETAS REGIA HUMANA." — "The Royal Humane Society presented this to , his life having been exposed to danger." The clasp f(jr the .silver and bronze medals is tiie same in shape. It is usually awarded to those who are in possession of the medal, for a second act of bravery in saving life. The author has received the Society's medal and two additional clasps. SWIMMINfi AND 1,1 FE-SAVIN(1. 105 CHAPTER XLV THE MASSACHUSETTS HUM/^NE SOCIETY. KSTAIUJSHKD 1785. This society was ostablished as far back as tlio year ITS"), a few years later than the Royal Muirane Society, and with similar objects — to reward deeds of bravery in savinj^ life, and to furnish information and apparatus for the i-ecovcry of persons appai'- ently drowned. The society receiveil its charter in the year 17U1. The United States Life-Saving Service having extended its opera- tions all along tlu^ coast, the Humane Society has been considerably relieved thereby from maintaining nifny sta- tions that had a long history of use- fulness. Although this would seem to narrow the work of the Ifumane Society, it had an opposite tendency, by creating a friendly rivalry between the organizations. There are now on the ^Massachusetts coast seventy life- saving stations altogether, of which eighteen belong to the United States Service, and lifty-two to the Humane Society. It will thus be .seen that this society has undertaken a large field of woi k, and its success has been rewarded to some extent by the State Government, which granted at difler- ent dates considerable sums to help the society to pursue its most laudable work. Private benefactors, too, have from time to time given financial support to its operations. The society, as in the case of the Royal Humane Society, provides means for life-saving 106 SWIMMINO ASM) LIFK-SAVINC. Oil rivers iiud wliai-t's, wliere tnitHc and hatliiii;^ arc sure to produce accidents. Gold, silver and hroiizo medals are awarded, with certifi- cates, for conspicuous liravcry in life-savin^', and in needy cases money may be gi\en to the extent of forty dollars, but not more, to one individual. The lonj,' career of noble work performed l)y the JMiissachusctts Society may be said to hii'e been the principal factor Medals of the Massachusetts Humane Society. in establishing the United States Life-Saving Service, which excels all others in its complete ecjuipment and numljer of its stations. Both services unite in friendly co-operation, as indeed they ought to do, having the same objects in view. The author of this work earnestly wishes (4od-specd to both of these noble services. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. 107 CHAPTER XLVI. ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. EsTAi!i,i.sHp;i> 1824. " Wlien tlie IducI ininute-gim Jilaruis the uiKliti And jtlunginif waters hide the bark fi-oiu .siglit, When hirid liglitiiing.s tlireat, and thiiuder.s mil, And roaring fcenipe.st.s daunt the trendding soul,— 'Tis thine, oh life-boat man, such fears to brave, And snatch the helpless from a watery grave." Courage is a quality greatly to be desired, without which little good can be accomplished, Init when allied to humanity it becomes truly sublime. This is particularly true with regard to life-boat men, as the operations of the service call into existence the noblest traits of which humanity is capable. The history of the Koyal National Life-Boat Institution, of Great Britain, founded in 1^24, teems with deeds of hei-oism etjual to any perfoi'med on the battle-field or else- where. This is tlie finest volunteer life-boat organization in the world. With a fleet of over four hundred life-boats, manned l)y their 108 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. sturdy crows of tisliernien, they liave, ;uiii(l scenes of tlie greatest peril, rescued over eiglit thousand persons who would have perished but for their timely assistance. Since its organization, this society has awarded ov(>r one liundred gold medals, and more than one thou- sand silver medals, with numerous additional clasps. CHAPTER XLVII. THE LIFE-SAVING BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK. KSTAIJMSIIKI) 1849. In every great maritime city the sea and its dangers are objects of the deepest interest. The sea presents itself not only as a great liighway for commerce, a field of boundless pleasure and profitable employment, but alas ! it has ever been, and must continue to be, associated with scenes of sufi'ering, sori-ow and death. It is only in hai-mony, there- fore, with civilization that humanity should step in, and by organiza- tion endeavor to minimize the number of accidents, and remove where possible thj cause of peril ; and when the worst takes place and lives are endangered, then by every means human skill can devise, regard- less of cost, go forth to the rescue at all hazards. In order the better to do this, a number of merchants connected with the shipping trade of New York formed an association, which received its charter from the State in 1849. Its first endeavors were to co-operate in provid- ing surf-boats, rockets, carron.ades and other apparatus for the pre- servation of life and property from shipwreck. It is with the greatest pleasure I can record the fact that along the shores thei-e have ever SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. 109 been found av.iilaljle volunteer crews, who take care of the l)oats and stations, and tui'ii out to woi-k in case of need. The society jind the underwriters both naturally join in encouragini,' these noble men by every legitimate means, so as to secure a continuation of their most honorable and voluntary service. In lSiS.'5, twenty-seven life-boat stations were maintained by this association. The (Jovernment have assisted the .society with funds to the extent of over 81*^,000, and it has an ample list of subscriljers, in which I Hnd the insurance com- panies take the lead. A very valuable medium of life-saving is the life-car, invented by Captain Douglass Ottinger, of the V. S. Revenue Cutler Service, in 1S4!). By the us(^ of this car many hundred lives have been saved. To the Jlon. W. A. Newell, M.C., from New Jersey, belongs the honor of first moving for funds to be supplied by tl > treasuiy for the humane purpose of saving life, and since then the American Government lias wai'inly supported the cause. The accompanying engraving shows the obverse and reverse sides of the medal awarded by the association, with the motto, " VITA FELICIBU8 AII81S SKRVATA," or "Life i)reserved by fortu nate deeds of boldness.' CHAPTER XLVIII. THE ALBERT MEDAL. EsTABLlSllKl) 1S67. By itoyal Warrant of \'2th April, 18G7, two decorations were instituted, viz.: the Albert Medal of the tirst class, and the Albert Medal of the second class, " which "" (in the language of the warrant) "we are desirous should be highly prized and eagerly sought after." That of the first class is a gold oval-shaped decoration, enamelled in dark blue, with a monogr.im V, and A., interlaced with an anchor erect in gold, surrounded with a garter in bronze, inscribed in raised letters of gold : " For gallantry in saving life at sea," and surmounted by a representation of the crown of His Royal Highness, the lamented Prince Consort, and suspended from a dark blue ribbon of an inch and three-eighths in width, with four white longitudinal stripes. The medal of the second class is similar in all respects in design, but entirely of bronze, the ribbon of which is five-eighths of an inch in width, with two white longitudinal stripes. 10 SWIMMlXn AXD LIFE-SAVING. Bdi's coriespontliiiju; with the iiiediils are awarded to tliose ah-eady in i)ossession of the medal, for subsequent deeds of heroism, whicli would have earned for them the medal itself, had they not already received it. The follosvini>; cases awarded the Albert Medal are selected fr'om a list of heroes which it would be ditVicult to pi'aist; too much. The Marnilon, of North Hhields, drove from her anchors and stranded near Falmouth, Enj^hind. There was a strong wind blowing, with s(|ualls. Tin; shij», being driven among the breakers, was often entirely covered with the surf, and no communication with the shore .seemed possible. The master and one man died from exposure and exhaustion. James Hudson, a youth of .seventeen years, volun- teering to swim off to the vessel (although it seemed certain death to do so), the coastguard attached lines to him, and he reached the ves.sel and got a running gear fixed, by which six of the crew were saved. Hudson, from want of clothing, was obliged to return aftei' being a work on many trying occasions. It is to be hoped that such a commendable expenditure of public money will very soon be heartily endorsed by our legislature, and that the executive will bo empowered to organize a really efticient service on something like a scale worthy of the cause, and creditable to the country. Toronto Harbor Life-Saving Crew. Fvo)n Toronto Evemni; Xkws, of Ortolxr \2th, ISS,"). " in May, 188.S, Captain Andrews, in company with Island Constable Ward (who has also distinguished himself in saving many lives from drowning), organized the Toronto Harbor Lif(iSaving Crew, to man the life-boat recently transferred from the harbor trust to the Dominion (Jovernment, under the direction of the Minister of Marine. The crew go out for practice fourteen times every season, in all kinds of weather, and consequently have acquiied considerable proHciency in tlie launching and management of the life-boat, and are rowing a powerful, even .stroke, with a perfect regularity of movement. Since the establishment of tliis life-savins crew, they have been instrumental in rescuing a large number of persons from drowning, which services have been suitably recognized by the pre- sentation of medals and clasps from the Royal Humane Society, and valuable binocular glasses from the Canadian (Government, besides other life-saving testimonials. It is hoped that Capt. Andrews' recommendation to convert this rirst-class volunteer crew into a regular life-saving crew will be acted upon at once • by those in authority, and a complete life-saving .station established in this city, with a salai'ied crew, drilled and etjuipped in the same manner as they are in the United States Life Saving Service." 114 SWIMMIN(! AND LIFE-SAVING. The Life Boat;. Dedicated to tlie Minister of Marine find my comrades in the sorvioe. Ma)i tlif Jifc-hont .' Inut'l} tlii'v cry, 1 know tliJit call rigiit well ; Thou ark ot inorcy, hov. sliall [ Thy deccls of glory tell? NN'heii with my comrades hrave and true, We launch upon the wave. To rescue some poor shipwreck'd crew, Whose lives we seek to save. What, though the hurricane may roar, And angry waves assail, We'll pull still stronger with the oar Regardless of the gale. And though the storm-king's forces do Their utmost to defeat. We I'each the wreck, take otl" the crew, And make our work complete. God bless the life-boat and her crew, And may they ever be Frithful and true their work to do, Like heroes of the sea. — W. D. A. CHAPTER LI. LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES. Captains of vessels should exercise their crews frequently in lower- ing and hoisting the life-boats during fair and rough weather, assign- ing each man a certain place with certain duties. By this means each man will become familiar with liis special duty, and when tlie time of peril conies, will be enabled to perform it without excitement, thus, in a great measure, preventing what is known as a panic launch. The coolness of officers and men in such cases adds materially to the preservation of life There are numerous life-saving appliances, such as cork life pre- •WIMMINO AM) MFE-SAVrXO. 115 servers, riii;,' buoys, etc., etc. Tlieso slifnild always Ik; k«'j)t in oon- vfiiicnt places, easy of access to jiassciiju'cts and crew. The projier mctliod of fastening on a life preserver is to see tlmt the slioiildrr straps are crossed over the shouldets tiglitl}, while the strings ai'e securely tied. Tn the case '^)f ladies and young or old jieople, life preservers should lie secured to the person liy some one thoroughly i'elial)le, if ))0ssilile. I'ut the life preservers on like a vest, cro.ss the shoulder straps like a pair of l)races, and then fasten the strings in front tirnily. Karbor Boards, and owners of wharfs should also amply provide against accidents by always having, as handy as possible, such appli- ances as prudence will dictate may be ri'(|uired, moi-e especially in places where crowds of persons are likely to b(> expected ; under such circumstances the greatest care should be exercised, and it is highly expedient that only e.\i)erienced men f liuuld be employed JU'ound e.\- cursion boats and docks. An awkward man, not up to his W(U'k, may innocently do great harm. It would be very useful to festoon a chain around all docks, .so that a person falling into the water might have something to cling to until assistance arrived. September l.")tli, 18S1.— The writer exhibited a peculiar life-.sav- ing invention wliich Alderman Boswell, of Toronto, brouglit with him from England. Tt consisted of a chemical jireparation enclosed in a tinfoil case, put in linen pockets insei'ted in the breast of a lady's dress or a gentleman's coat, covered with rubber, except at the bottom, to prevent water descending or touching it, wlien caught in rain or otherwise exposed to wet weather ; but when by accident oi- design a person be precipitated into the water, the ascending water from beneath, coming in contact with the chemical, causes it to inflate, producing a bladder-like formation before and behind, capable of supporting the body in a very easy posture for fifty-five liours. This test was made in Lake Ontario, opposite the Exhibition grounds, in the presence of ofKcers of that institution and thousands of spectators, and proved entirely satisfactory. This was the first occasion on which the invention was tested in Canada, and the Rev. Cowell Brown, M.A., of Shetiield, England, the inventor, lias, by his ingenuity, well earned the distinction of the bronze medal from the- Exhibition Committee of Toronto. ■l\W fl S\VlM.MIN(i AND LIKE-SAVING. 117 CHAITER LII. THE LYLE GUN. Tlic d), or life-car, is got in motion, and by their means the persons endangered are hauled ashore. McLellan's Apparatus Waggon. This is the invention of Lieutenant .McLcllan, of the United States R.M. Lieutenant McLellan,asa District Superintendent of the United States Life-Saving Service, had learned liy experience what was really wanted to secure complete efficiency in transport, and has succeeded in producing a waggon presenting all possii)le advantages. It is made in two parts, each part with two wheels, and either can l)e used separately, or, when necessary, both togethei', which carries evei-ything re([uired to carry out rescue work, including the Lyle gun. The con- struction generally is so well contrived that gi-eat speed can be accomplished in getting to work, and tliere is no doubt that the waggon is a most valuable a'ldition to the life-saving apparatus. SWIMMIXCi ASM) I,IFE-SAVI\(;. 11!> CHAPrKIl LI 1 1. K'.-JSi»;>&/»-«*»***^^'^***********' # rMLD0bBIN3 LIFn=BOAT#) Caj>t!iiii I ). I*, hiililiiiis, Sii])criiit<'iiilt'nl, in the Uiiitofl States Life- Saviii<:jServifO at HutFalo, a t'fw y<'ai's ago designed and liad huilt, under ]ii.s own supervision, a life-ltoat wliieli is self-rigliting, self-l)ailing, selt'- liallasting and insul)nu'ri,dl)le, besides possessintf great streiigtli. and of vei'y moderate weight, whicli eontiiliutes givatly to its utility, heing fasy to launch, and to jtull through a surf, as well as heing swung with great ease at a ship's davits ; or, if need Ix', pitehed from the deck of a vessel into the water, wiicre it imnuMliately i-iglits itself, and can carry twenty-live to thirty-tivo persons out of danger, or if properly controlled, one hundred human beings can he kept aHoat by it. The inventor's ingenuity, liidvcd, as it undoubtedly is, to a l>road and generous sjtirit of humanity, has been amply I'ewarded by the com- plete establishment of all the advantages he stated his boat possessed. Under every possible circumstance that could happen, liis boat has triumphantly maintained its superior excellence in every point, .so tiiat it is not surprising the I'nited States (Jovernment has patron- ized this worthy and patriotic otiicer's valuable invention by ordering many of his l)rats for its Life-Saving Service ; and our Canadian Government also, having indisputable evidence of their great superior- ity, has purchased life-boats from Caj)tain J)ob!)ins; and these have, after repeated severe tests, proved thoroughly reliable. Captain Dobbins had learned from long experience what a life- boat really should b?, to deserve the niuue, and for many 3'ears studied carefully how to produce a boat posse.ssing the necessary (jualities. Though it took much time, much labor, and considerable expenditure of money, making experiments, the object so earnestly and patiently sought for was at length accomplished ; and, as Captain Doblnns has isecured letters patent for the Uuited States, Canada, and Great 120 SWIMMING AXl) LIFE-SAVING. Brit.'iin, it is safe to predict tliiit, as the virtues of the boat becomes known, the invention will prove a \alual)lo one. The captain's general genical qualities are so widely known, that it may lie safely said he is one of the most popnlar men in America. The iilv:;i.ration on page 11>'^ shows the life-boat on its transport waggon, which is also C'ajitain Dobbins' own invention. 4t^=z= .^—u. Fia. I -i^ J-^ =i Sfctiti : i^A t ''^ij5i-is^^ir^''-''--'^^i^'i^?--''''-'^ '' ' ^■^'■§.'^i-''^:^-.'''^ L Section and Plan of the Dobbins Life-Boat. Descriptive Particulars. Length, 20 ft. : gross weight, about 2,000 lbs, ; carvel-built, of best clear Norway pine. The buoyant ballast, made of sheet-cork, water- proofed, tills the hold beneath the watei'-line, solid to the exclusion of air or water-space, renders the boat absolutely jiroof against staving, leakage or crushing — in fact, a cork boat inside a wooden shell. It is con- sti'ucted with air chambers at each end. They a.'e entered through the man-holes and water-tight doors, and in them females, invalids and children may be put to protect them from exposure ; benches for the stronger sex are also placed between the thwarts on each side. The air-chambers with the ballast right the boat immediately, if capsized, while the water tlows oti' the deck through the automatic waist-ports in a few seconds. Another illustration (page 122) shows the Dobbins life-boat under sail. It is providetl with '" partners " and " steps " for two masts, on _l Landing in the Surf. IHI 122 SVVIM.MIXf; AND I.I Fi:-SAV[N(i. which to set .siiital)l(' t'orc and at't Iul; sails for use in hnvj, distance or outlyiiii,' shoal cruisiiiif. The l)oat is l)iiilt, (iiidcr ("aptaiii I )Ml)l)iiis" personal suporvisi..n. l»v Messrs. Wni. iliuckson iV Son, of IhiH'alo, N.Y. A Remarkable Test. From 'lu lini-Ai.o ('uikikk. (tritil„r 27, 1SS7. '• In saxiiiLj the ci-e\v of the /'n-h Cli'indlrr the lifesavin'^ crew o! ('lev. lai'.d denionstiated in a most emphatic way that the Dohl)ins life- boat is all that is claimed for it. The Cli'i))iU<'r went ashore duriii<; the terrilile storm of last Monday morninii', al»out tifte(Mi miles east '■g^$k0f^^ SSfestfi The Dobbins Life-Boat under Sail. of the Cleveland station. Captain Coodwin, the life-station keeper, heini,' notitled by telephone, en^agt'd a locomotive and two Hat cars to take his hoat, waggon and heach apparatus to Nohle, a station about one and a half miles from the wreck. A shot line was lired over the vessel, but her crew were too exhausted to haul out the whip- line. Then the lifeboat was dragged on her l)ottom down a l)luir bank of clay and lK)ulders to the water. Jn thus dragging her and launcliiiig lier ovei the sharp rod s her bottom was liadly used up - practically destroyed. Capt. Coodwin and his men knew their boat 124 SWIMMlXCi AND LIFE-SAVING. — that she would Hoat without any bottom jilaiiking at all. Tlioy rowed to tho vessel, the wind hlowiiiir .•vl)out forty miles an hour and tremendous .seas running, and hrought the exhausted sailors .safely to shore in a Hobhins Ijoat with a stove bottom. " Suih a test of a life-boat was probably nevei- before made. It shows conclusively ttiat the Dobbins boat is insubmergible, no matter how badly she may be stove. The result would have been the .same if there had also been holes knocked in her sides. Thesis l)oats have a shallow iiold, wiiich is stoweil solidly witli water-pi'oofed Spiinish cork and covered with a .strong deck. Tiiis niakes them absolutely unsinkal)l<>. Their .self-righting, self-bailing and other excellent ([ualities need not l)e mentioned here. Our fellow-townsman has good reason to feel proud over this achievement of his untiring labors in l)ehalf of humanity." Before closing this chapter, T wish to Ix-ai my testimony to the innuense value of Captain Dobbins' most successful invention. I can consistently say, after an experience of nearly twenty years in the mercantile and life-saving services, that the I)obl)ins life-boat sur- {las.ses all others — in fact, it is a mai'vel of naval architecture. To Captain Williams, of the JJuU'alo Life- Boat Station, and liis gallant crew, I am personally indebted for many acts of kindness during my sojourn there. To John L. Hornberger I also acknowledge my indebt- edness for numeious acts of friendship. CHAPTER LIV. ALWAYS READY. As it is proposed V)y the Canadian Government to model our life- saving service after the manner that has proved so eti'ective in the Tnited States, some details of the ino pati'ol i)ecome severe, and often dangerous. The interval between sunset and sunrise is divided into three watches, and in case of danger to vessels the patrolmen fire their signals, and warn the ships of their peril. When a vessel is driven ashore, the patrolman, ascertaining the fact, takes the initiatory .steps in The Operation of Rescue by first firing his Costin signal, which emits a red flame burning for several minutes, and hastens to make his report to the keeper, who decides what is to be done. If it is decicLu to reacli tiie ves.sei iiy water, the crew proceed to the boat-room where the surf-boat, ahvavs in a state of readine.ss, is found resting on ways provided with rollers. The crew then range themselves on either side of the sui'f- boat so as to jump into their places the moment the word of command is given. At this signal the men spring into their seats, the wide doors of the boat i-oom Hy open, and the graceful craft, ,/'«//// maimed ami equipped, 'ffWdi^i^ into her native element and isotl'on her "errand of mercy." If the wreck is well inshore, the mortar cait is oi-dered out. This is drawn by the men where liorses are not provided. While at practice, before every drill, the men are obliged to repeat ofl* Ijy heart their particular part of the work in rescuing the shipwiecked by means of the Lyle gun and beach apparatus. So trained they ai-e enabled, when called out for actual service, to perform their duty well jind with alacrity. Reaching the scene of the wreck, each man, well SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVIXO. 127 traint'il to his partit-iilai iliity, ifi'occcd.s ti) liandlf and jjlact; in jiosi- tioii tliat portion of the a|)j)aratus assi/^na-d to liini as Ids especial' diarize. Siniidtaneously tlu^ difVerent nienibers already "told off" load the Lyly gun. place the shot l)o.\ in ]iosition. dispose the hauling goar, lines and hawser for running, attach the hceeclies huoy, and put the tiickles in place I'cady for hauling ; and with pick tuul spade hegin the digging of a trench for tlw sand anclntr, while the Weaeh lantern upon the mortar cart throws its light upon the scene. And now the ltuii, which has lieen placed in line with the wreck, is tired ; the shot, with its liiu! attached, goes ilying over the wreck into the sea iteyond, and is soon secured 1)V the sailors on l)oard. Th(> life-savers then hend on the wliip, an endless line with two blocks attached, to the outer tail- l)lock of which a tallyl)oard is fastened, previously joined to the shore end of the shot line, already being hauled in by those on board. The whip passes rapidly Toward the Wreck, and on arriving there the sailors make fast the tail block of the whip to the Uiast, well up in accordance with the printed instructions on the tally-board, and show a signal to the shore. The life savers now bend on a strong hawser to the lower line of the whip, and l»y hauling on the upper line the hawser is drawn rapidly out to the wreck. Attached to the l;ight of the hawser is a second tally-board, which directs how and where the end of the haw- ser should be .secured to the wreck. The tackles are now attached to the sand anchor, and the shore end of the IwiNVser is straight and taut, when it is lifted several feet in the air and fui'ther tightened by the erection of a wooden crotch, which constitutes a temporary pier, the wreck answers for another, while the haw.ser line forms the suspen- sion bridge connecting them. A snatch-lilock is then thrown across the hawser, to which the breeche.s-buoy is attached. The ends of the whip are matle fast to each side of the buoy, and it is drawn by means of the whip out toward the wreck, travelling the upgrade empty, and coming d >vn with greater velocity with the person rescued, and by this means brought safe to shore. The life-car is frecjuently used in })lace of the breeches- buoy, when there are many women or children to be saved, or invalids, or a large numl)er of persons to be rescued witli despatch. In bringing this paragraph to n close, I take this opportunity oi acknowledging the kindness of Captain C C. Goodwin to myself per- sonally when serving under him, aiul also the very friendly feeling always e.xhibited toward me by the Cleveland Life-Boat crew. Cap- 128 SWIMMINC; AND LIFE-SAVING. tain (loodwiii and his gallant crow havt' each been awarded the United States life-saving gold medal of the tirst class for their re- peated successful acts of heroism. A THE SQUARE AND COMPASS, To Captain C. C. (Joodwin and Cukw itv tiik Unitkd Statks LiFE-.SaVINK SEltVICK. The following lines were written l>y an old veteran in the craft, on witnessing the nohle work performed liy the Cleveland Life-Sav- ing crew in tiie rescue of over eight hundred persons during the Hoods on the Ohio River. The rescue party w«'re maintained during this trying ordeal Ijy the Masonic Relief Association : ^\'ith your Idue-liannered enililems liefore you, With strong, steady stroke of your oars. Up and onward the wild waters Ijore you, Afloat to our descilate doors. You came to us, i)rothers, like brothers. With silent, yet elo(|uent deed, With heljtt'ul hands held out to others As friends of the needy in need. And here with the torrent ai'ound us, ( )ur bosoms despondent and dumb. You came in your kindness and found us, As fearless faith said you would come. Go back, bonny boat, with (jur l)lessing, Our hearts are as full as the Hood ; Distress itself ceases distressing, Tn the goodness of witnessing good. If our shirts were a kite still we'd Hy it, To honor that brotherly ci-ew ; If out" hats were a crown, yet we'd shy it, To cheer for your lianner of blue. You may raise in your wrath, cruel river, But high al)ove Hood-i'eacli we'll stand; The s(|uare and the compass for ever, The lion's-paw grip of the hand. Masonic Ham,, Nk.wi>oi{t, Kkntickv, Fehruary, 1S63. SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. 12!) CHAPTER LV "ONE OF THE MEN WE KNOW." A rJuEAT Oanakian Ssvimmkk. a Candidatk For tiik Ai.iiKKT Mkdai, i>y THE FiusT Class — l)EV()TKi> To a (iuAND Work. E.ffrnrls I'rniii thr I'll iniiUdii mill Ann rifiiii /'/v.v.v. It is iilwiiys a pleasure to know a man who staiuls at the liead ot' any line of endeavor. A man who .wcels in the particular direction to wliich he has turned his energies is sure to lie a man worth know- in;?. Such a man is Capt. W. J). Andrews, the ,irre.'it Canadian swimmer, whose many deeds of heroism have made his name honored in this country and in Europe. In iJuiraio and Cleveland, where he passed much time, he has made many personal friends. It would recjuire a volume to describe all his sublime acts of heroism. Lakes Ontaiio and Erie have been -iie principal scenes of his exploits, and his fame has spread throui,diout the entire lake district. His recent reconunendation for that most distin,i,'uished honor, the Albert ]Medal of the first class, in reco,i,'nition of his many darin;;,' acts of l)ravei'y in saving life from drowning, gives timely interest to tlie following sketch of his career : Caj)tain W. D. Andrews was born in the city of Kingston, Ont.. Canada, May 19th, 185;}. From his boyhood up he has been em ployed in one way or other upon the water, and happily for him and many others, he early in life acquired a thorough knowledge of the art of swimming. Andrews' exploits in saving life date from tlie year 1809, and from that time he has always been ready to risk his own life to save the lives of others. The danger incurred in jumping overboard is; very great. Many expert swimmers shrink from it. Andrews has encountered this risk under almost every variety of eircumstances. He has followed the drowning under rafts of timber, under vessels at anchor or in docks, from great heights, and often to the bottom in great depths of water ; and, what is very remarkable, always successfully. From his brilliant record are selected the following deeds of bravery, any one of which should entitle him to the highest honors this world can confer for saving life : i:]() S\VIMMIN(i AND I.I I'K-SAVINT;. Kingston. ,//(/// ,'-lr(l, ISi'i'-i. 'riic lii'st (Iced ot' liravci'v to wliicli iitti'iilioii is called occurred at liis iiativc city ; when only sixteen years old lie rescued a lad ot' eleven years of ai^e, wlio, while playiuLt on a rait ot' timl.er opposite the city, accidentally fell into the l)ay. Koi-tunatelVi, Andrews, who was writiii,i{ in an ollice upstaiis, heard the cry, and takini,' in the situation at once on reaching,' the wliai'f, i)lun.iied in with all his chUhes on and I'escued the l)ov, who luid sunk twice he- foi-e assistance arrixcd. lie would certainly have perished but for Andrews' l)ravery. Kor this and other acts f)f gallantry Captain Andrews was awarded the i^'old life-savinj,' medal of the_///',y/ cliisa with clasps. In Si'plemlni', /SHH, Andrews commenced steam' mat iiiL', which occupation he followed for many years successfully. Owen Sound. On the mornini; of the ..'Jnd oat ivci'Mtly tninsferred from tlic Harbor Trust to tlio |)()ininioii (tovprniin'iit, uncU'r the control of tlio Miiiistor of Marine. July 27f/i, ISS.l. — r)uriny a trenuMidons storm, oxccedinj? in violence iinythinj,' that has been seen on Toronto liay for years, (.'aptain Andrews, in company with William Ward and .John D. Patry, accomplishi'd unother noble rescue. While the storm was at its heif^ht, these three Itrave men put out in Dr. < )l(lrij,dit's open skill' at the imminent lisk of their lives to tlm rescue of Professor Scldochow, a (jrerinan music teacher, whose bout was capsized, and who was din^iin^ for his life to the keel, while every wave washed over his head. In (heir eager efforts to reach the drowning man the stroko-oar was 'oroken, which throw the boat into the trough of the sea, when the next wave Idled her completely, at\d they had to put ashore at Sandy Point to empty her. Nothing daunted, however, they made a fresh start, and aft(!r the greatest exertion they reached the capsized craft, and taking oil' the drowning man, placed him in the bottom of the boat and pulled for the shore, again landing at the lake-side opposite the -Uelter, after a pull of nearly thre»> miles. They carried the unconscious form of the man into the Win)an Island Maths, where Drs. (ieikie and Hell, who were among the iumdreds of spectators, instantly .set to work to resuscitate the rescued man, and after long and continued e.xertions, his rescuers had the gratification of seeing him restored to consciousness. This constitutes the very best case of life-saving which has ever taken place in Toronto I>ay. Such was the fury of the storm— the public observatory places the velocity of the wind at eighty miles an hour — and tiie rolling of the sea, and so enormous svere the troughs of the waves into which the little craft momentarily fell, that she could only be seen from the shore when she rose buoyantly upon the crest of the waves, and the heavy rainstorm that prevailed at the time greatly added to the peril of the situation. Indeed, the many people who witnessed the occurrence aver that the conduct of the.se brave men in theii^ gallant and successful effort to save life, was worthy of every commendation. In recognition of his bravery on this occasion, the Royal Humane Society forwarded a bronze clasp and its certilicate of honor to his Worship, the then Mayor, A. R. Boswell, Esq., who presented them to Captain Andrews during the City Council meeting on 18th January, 1884, amid the applause of the council. Suitable awards vere also made to Messrs. Ward and Patry by the Royal Humane Society. SWIMMlNd AND LIKE-SAVINO. 188 'I'lic .Mayor, ill inuking the jin'sontution, ('oni^iatulnttMl ( "aptaiii Aiulrt'ws oil Iteirii; the rt'cii>it'iit of tlioso honors t'rom ho noble a society, us well as being one of three citizens of whose bravery Toronto was proud. This is the fourth recognition bv the Moyal Humane Society of Captain Andrews' bravery in life-saving from drowninj^. .\fiirch '/th, /.S',V.^. — The circuMistauces of this rescue having,' been repoited to the Minister of Marine, the act of the thice brave men recorded received the nuii'ked approbation of the Dominion (Jovern- ment, who unanimously voted in the open House that a suitable testimonial be presented to each. Tliis testimonial took the form of Binocular (Jlasses, with insciiption on Captain Andrews' pair- as follows : " Pri'Hciiti'il to CaI'Tain W. D .Vnhkews Ixj ihr ({i)trnimeiit of Vntmila in rvi'dijHifUtn of Ids huiiiiiiir ryi'iiioiiK in .svM'i'd;/ llfr vii Toronto I'mj, .''^fli Jill II, iss.:." The presentation took place in the council chaml)er at a regular meeting. The Mayoi', in making the presentation, said that he hoped they might each live long to enjoy the glory of that hazardous rescue, and that when again re(|uired they might be (Mjually succe,ssful in their attempts to save human life. Hach of the men made suitable replies. Ill addition to this jiroud distinction, the Dolphin Swimming Club also presented ("aptain Andrews with a magniticent gold medal suit- ably inscribed ; the design being a round gold life preserver with lines attached, suspended by a gold clasp bearing the word "TORONTO." This medal was presented by Captain J. \j. Hawboue in the Club Kooms, 9") King St. East, on behalf of the general body of members. During the Semi-Centennial year, 1884, Captain Andrews fre- quently distinguished himself in saving life from drowning, each rescue being suitably acknowledged by the Minister of Marine. The^ following is a copy of one of the letters : '• Dominion of C.\nai)A, '• MaHINK DEPAUT.MfcNT, ''Otfa/m, 22nd Sept., 1884. "Sir, — The Department has noted with much satisfaction a para- graph in the Toronto Mail of the 8th July last, in which reference is made to your action in rescuing two i)ersons who had drifted out towards- the eastern gap in an apparently helpless condition, and I 134 SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVING. am to convey to you the tlianks of the Minister of IVlarine for the services rendered on the occasion referred to. " I am, sir, your most obedient servant, " William Smith, " De.piitii .]fiii.lnfi'r of Marine. " Captain Andrews, " Life .Saving; Station Toronto." August oth, I8S4. — Captain Andrews plunged in with all his clothes on to the rescue of a young lad named Edward Lawson, who was in danger of drowning in Toronto Bay, near the eastern point of the Island. On this occasion, the gallant little fellow, burdened with the weight of his wet clothing, especially his boots, which had become tilled with water, sank with the boy, who was neai'ly as large as himself ; I'ising to the surface, however, he struck out again for the shore, pluckily retaining his hold of the boy whom he risked his life to save. Reaching shallow water, he was met by Captain Ward, who waded out to meet him, in company with Mr. J. B. Marshall. The boy was taken to Mrs. Mai'shalls restaurant, where he received every ;i,ttention, and speedily recovered. Before leaving, the boy thanked the Captain for saving his life, and subsequently Andrews received suitable acknowledgments from Edward Lawson tlie rescued lad, David Mills his companion, and the Hon. Wm. Smith, Deputy Ministei' of Marine. Auf/iist J8//1, ISSJf. — Captain Andtews jumped in with all his clothes on, and rescued a little girl near the same place. Augkist. .loth, ISSJf. — Rescued a lady from drowning in the Buy near the ferry wharf. ./?. — In company with Captain Ward, went to the assistanoe of four persons capsized from a small boat on Lake Ontario, .•( jout a mile and a half from the eastern point of the Island. After a long, hard pull, they reached the scene of the accident, where they found a number of l)oats collected, one of which contained the two survivors, a lady and gentleman. They were taken in tow. Immedi- ately on reaching the shore they were transferred to AVard's Hotel, where Captain Andrews put in operation the rules for reviving the apparently drowned, and in less than half aw hour succeeded in restoring them to consciousness. After receiving every care and attention from Mrs. Ward, they left for home the same evening. Sub- SWIMMING AND LIFE-SAVINO. 135 sequently Captain Andrews received a Christmas present from the young man bearing the following inscription : " To Captain W. D. Andrews, " In grateful remembrance, " Frank J. Otter." July 21st, 1885. — Rescued a young man from drowning in the Bay near the eastern gap. August 11th, 1885. — Jumped in with his clothes on, and rescued a boy from drowning near the Wiman Baths, receiving tlie thanks of his parents, both of whom were present. In addition to these there are many others, replete with the same good qualities, and doing equal honor to this sturdy saver of life. Buffalo. From the Buffalo Expuess, \Oth December, 1886. "In the fall of 1885, Captain Andrews resolved to devote himself to a worthy mission. He came to Buffalo in order to acquire a practical knowledge of the methods adopted and in use by the United States Life-Saving Service in rescuing the shipwrecked. "In this city Captain Andrews was received by Captain D. P. Dobbins, the courteous Superintendent of the Ninth District, in ■whose company he visited Kingston's boat-building establishment, where he witnessed one of Captain Dobbins' celebrated life-boats in process of construction. He visited the Buflali) Life-Saving Station, where he immediately entered upon his mission, attending all the drills and exercises daily, soon acquiring a sound theoretical know- ledge of every detail of the service. Believing, however, that the only way to obtain a thorough practical knowledge of every branch of the service would be by entering the Life-Saving Service as a regular surf- man, he resolved to do so, asking as a special favor to be sent to the most dangerous port on the lakes, where he would be most likely to see plenty of genuine life-boat work. Being a British subject, it was necessary for him to obtain special permission from the Govern- ment at Washington to join any American life-saving crew. This was readily granted, and his application was turned over to Superin- tendent Dobbins, who assigned liim to duty at 13G s^vIMMI^(; and life-saving. Cleveland. Here Captain Andrews' services were almost innnediately culled into requisition. " Shortly after midnight, on the very night of his arrival, in company witli the other members of the life-saving crew, he waiii summoned to the rescue of the schooner J. R. Pel ton, of Cleveland, hound from Toledo, O., for her home port in ballast, with a crew of five men, which dragged lier anchors during a lieavy north-east gale, and was rapidly drifting on to the beach. Both vessel and crew were brought into harbor in safety (Subsequently Captain Andrews, in company with the Cleveland life-boatmen, rendered valuable assistance to the propeller E. S. Shie/don, and others. *' December hJtJi, 1S8'>.- — CViptaiu Andrews received a 'first-class certificate of competency ' from Keeper Goodwin, of the Cleveland station, and on the IStli a certificate of proficiency from Supt. Dobbins, who declared him 'qualified for any position in the life- .saving service." " Captain Andrews has made this his life-work, and hat, perfected himself in every essential recjuirement necessary to the very best results. Although not of very lai-ge stature, he is a .strong and fearless swimmer, with a quick eye and a cool head, which enable him to go at his woi'k in a confident and ready manner. The Canadian (Jovernnient are considering the advi.sability of converting their l)resent volunteer life-saving service into a regular paid service, like that of the United States. Captain Andrews is prominently mentioned for instructor and sui)erintendent of the service when established, a post which he is eminently qualified to fill. " Since his return to Toronto, he has again been instrumental in .saving life."