CAPTAIN WEBB'S PREDECESSOR.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As the Spectator has devoted an article to Captain Webb's resent feat, you may not object to have your attention called to what up to that time had probably been the most extraordinary swimming-feat ever, accomplished. I therefore enclose a very condensed account of what happened to Brock, a Yarmouth boatman, on the night of October 6, 1835.
With regard to the authority, I can only say that in every case in which I have been able to test statements made by the Saturday Magazine they have proved to be singularly accurate. As Brock may still be living, or has left children, it would be a kindly act (and the Editor of the Spectator is kindly even to dogs) if you could find space to refer to the endurance and fortitude which he displayed on that occasion, and thus to show him that even now it has prevented his being quite forgotten.
"EXTRAORDINARY SWIMMING-FEAT OF BROCK, THE YARMOUTH BOAT-
SIAN.—(Abridged from Vol. 21 Saturday Magazine, p. 182, 5th Nov., 1842.)—At about half-past six o'clock in the evening of 6th October, 1835, the yawl 'Increase,' manned by nine men' including Brock, capsized in a terrific squall, off the Newarp floating light, at a7distance of six miles from the nearest land ; seven of the men went down with the boat, and Brock believed himself the only survivor. It was dead low-water, and the flood-tide would set off shore, so if over he should reach the land, he would first drift at least fifteen miles before the ebb would assist him, still, he determined to make the attempt; and putting his arm through a rush horse-collar (lately used as a fender to the boat), which floated by, he rid himself by aid of his knife of his petti- coat trousers, striped frock, waistcoat, and neckcloth, but did not venture attempting to free himself of his oiled trousers, drawers, or shirt, fear- ing his logs would become entangled, nor of his boots. The horse-collar retarded his swimming, so he left it, and as he swam on, to his surprise perceived one of his companions ahead of him. Ho, too, sank, and Brock was left alone upon the waters. Winterton Light served to direct his course, but the tide eventually carrying him out of sight of it, he made for a bright star, in the same position, and with his eyes steadily fixed upon it, continued swimming and calculating when the tide would turn. The sky became overcast, and a storm of thunder, with forked lightning, followed. This passed, and was succeeded by a calm. His heavy-laced boots encumbered him greatly, and he succeeded in freeing himself from them. The Lowestoft Light came in sight, and occasion- ally the tops of the cliffs beyond Gorlestone on the Suffolk coast were visible. Driven by the swell of the sea over Cross Sand Bridge, the chequered buoy of St. Nicholas Gatt told him he was distant from the land four miles, and opposite his own door. The tide did not run strong, and fearing to stayby tha buoy, even for a few minutes, lest his limbs might not again resume their office, he set off for the shore. Just then he was startled by a whizzing sound, followed by a splash in the water close to his ear ; it was a large grey gull, which mistook him for a corpse, and made a aash at him. The whole flock came up, but he frightened them away. Afterwards, he caught sight of a vessel at anchor a great way off, and to get within hail he must swim over Corton Sands, where, owing to the breakers meeting him, he swallowed a great deal of salt- water, but before utter exhaustion some change fortunately occurred in the direction of the swell, and he was driven over the sands into smooth water, and ho felt his strength revive, so that he could swim to the shore. if, however, he were to attempt this and succeed, there was no certainty of getting out of the surf, or that he could walk, climb the cliffs, or get to a house. If he could not do all this, the cold wind would kill him, so he made for the vessel, though this was more difficult than to swim on shore. The nearest approach he could make to the vessel was about 200 yards, and as he was drifting by, he mustered all his strength and cried out. His cry was heard, a boat lowered, and he was taken on board fourteen miles from the spot where the yawl capsized, after he had been seven hours and a half in the water. Once safe, he fainted, and for some time continued insensible. Though treated with the utmost kindness, his sufferings were intense. His threat was in high inflammation and much swollen; round his neck and chest he was perfectly flayed, and the soles of his feet, his hands, and his hamstrings were equally excoriated. But in five days he had so far recovered as to be able to walk into Yarmouth, to receive the congratulations of his friends and kindred."
The account in the Saturday Magazine is stated to be itself abridged from the Sporting Magazine.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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