Dr. Benjamin Howard and Captain Paul Boyton
In 1875 Captain Paul Boyton crossed the English channel in an inflatable rubber suit while Dr. Benjamin Howard served him tea and sandwiches.
America: An Encyclopaedia of Its History and Biography (Chicago:Borland, 1881), Page 753
By Stephen Morrell Newman
CAPTAIN BOYTON'S CHANNEL TRIP.
1875. May 28. A successful trip in floating across the English channel in an India rubber suit was made by Capt. Paul Boyton, who had tried it in April preceding, but had failed through lack of cooperation. He set out at three o'clock in the morning, and vigorously paddled himself away from the shore, he was attended by Dr. Howard of New York, who kept near him in a boat, and gave the swimmer his meals during the day. He ate beef sandwiches, and drank strong tea. Sleepiness almost overcame him at one time, but he was brought out of it by his breakfast. An English steamer came across the channel to note the trip, and Capt. Boyton was cheered on his way by sundry encouragements. His trip consumed most of the following night, but at two and one half o'clock, on Saturday morning, he touched the English shore. The voyage had occupied twenty-three and one-half hours. The ill effects of the effort were only temporary. Telegrams of congratulation came in upon the party from Queen Victoria, and other dignitaries. Capt. Boyton was afterward feted and feasted.
--end
A multi-page advertisement which describes the suit:
Handbook of European Commerce (London: Samson Low, 1876), Pages ???-???
By George Sauer
The Boyton Life Dress Company
The St. James's Magazine and United Empire Review, Volume 36, 1875, Pages 532-539
By Mrs. S. C. Hall
Across The Channel With Captain Boyton. (Part 1)
By S. R. TOWNSHEND MAYER,
AUTHOR OF "ACROSS THE ANDES," "AMONG THE MAORIS," ETC.
Page 534 has a long footnote about Dr. Howard:
I may here state what we learnt subsequently—that Captain Boyton, on landing at Audresselles in the afternoon, fresh and strong after his seven miles' paddle from Boulogne, was escorted to the Franzelle Hotel, where he immediately had a warm bath and an hour's rest. On the former trip he was attended by Dr. Thomas Diver, of Southsea; but inasmuch as Mr. Michael Boyton declared that the doctor did him "more harm than good," he was this time attended by Dr. Benjamin Howard, of New York. Dr. Howard (founder of the American Humane Society), being a compatriot and knowing Captain Boyton personally, understood his patient's habits and constitution, and treated him on "common-sense" principles; that is to say, physiologically—throwing physic to the dogs. For instance, just before the Captain went to bed—after most good-naturedly putting on his life-saving dress for the inspection of a French lady, notwithstanding the work he had just done and the still greater work he had to do—Dr. Howard allowed him to take a very little underdone beefsteak, one cigar, and a small quantity of weak brandy and water. Having rested for a short time, Captain Boyton, Dr. Howard, Mr. Merridew (of Boulogne), Baron At la Touche (Sub-Prefect of the Pas de Calais), and others drove to the place of rendezvous, taking with them the life-saving dress, paddle, sail, etc. When they arrived, the Captain felt rather sleepy, and Dr. Howard gave him some beef-tea, but no brandy; and finally, just before entering the water, a little green tea—as being a better stimulant and more lasting in its effects than alcohol. Dr. Howard's system had always proved so successful, that Captain Boyton, with the greatest confidence, placed himself unreservedly in his hands, and Mr. Michael Boyton scrupulously carried out all Dr. Howard's instructions.
--end excerpt
[Can't find part 2]
New York Times, June 14, 1875, Page 2
CAPTAIN BOYTON'S SWIM; AN EXCITING TRIP ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. THE SWIMMER AS SEEN FROM THE STEAMER HIS COURAGE AND DETERMINATION THE ENTHUSIASM WHICH WELCOMED HIM A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN. THE BOAT-RIDE OF THE FRENCH JOURNALISTS. WATCHING THE SWIMMER. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FEAT. THE CARRIER PIGEONS.
Four page article:
The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times (London, England), June 05, 1875; Pages 353-
Captain Boyton's Successful Voyage Across the Channel
New York Tribune, June 11, 1875, Page 2
CAPT. BOYTON'S TRIUMPH
HIS SECOND ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
STEAMER PRINCE ERNEST, May 29--3:30
Capt. Boyton has arrived on board, fatigued, but in
usual health. He has had a warm sponge bath, hot
milk punch, and is now in warm blankets. Pulse and
temperature are not appreciably disturbed. The painful
irritation of his face from exposure to the sun and brine is
his chief cause of complaint. This is being allayed by
inunction. He complains of great stiffness of the joints.
He is in bounding spirits, and proposed leaving for London
in a few hours. BENJAMIN HOWARD, M. D.,
Hon. Sec. of Life-Saving Society of New-York.
-
In 1875 Captain Paul Boyton crossed the English channel in an inflatable rubber suit while Dr. Benjamin Howard served him tea and sandwiches.
America: An Encyclopaedia of Its History and Biography (Chicago:Borland, 1881), Page 753
By Stephen Morrell Newman
CAPTAIN BOYTON'S CHANNEL TRIP.
1875. May 28. A successful trip in floating across the English channel in an India rubber suit was made by Capt. Paul Boyton, who had tried it in April preceding, but had failed through lack of cooperation. He set out at three o'clock in the morning, and vigorously paddled himself away from the shore, he was attended by Dr. Howard of New York, who kept near him in a boat, and gave the swimmer his meals during the day. He ate beef sandwiches, and drank strong tea. Sleepiness almost overcame him at one time, but he was brought out of it by his breakfast. An English steamer came across the channel to note the trip, and Capt. Boyton was cheered on his way by sundry encouragements. His trip consumed most of the following night, but at two and one half o'clock, on Saturday morning, he touched the English shore. The voyage had occupied twenty-three and one-half hours. The ill effects of the effort were only temporary. Telegrams of congratulation came in upon the party from Queen Victoria, and other dignitaries. Capt. Boyton was afterward feted and feasted.
--end
A multi-page advertisement which describes the suit:
Handbook of European Commerce (London: Samson Low, 1876), Pages ???-???
By George Sauer
The Boyton Life Dress Company
The St. James's Magazine and United Empire Review, Volume 36, 1875, Pages 532-539
By Mrs. S. C. Hall
Across The Channel With Captain Boyton. (Part 1)
By S. R. TOWNSHEND MAYER,
AUTHOR OF "ACROSS THE ANDES," "AMONG THE MAORIS," ETC.
Page 534 has a long footnote about Dr. Howard:
I may here state what we learnt subsequently—that Captain Boyton, on landing at Audresselles in the afternoon, fresh and strong after his seven miles' paddle from Boulogne, was escorted to the Franzelle Hotel, where he immediately had a warm bath and an hour's rest. On the former trip he was attended by Dr. Thomas Diver, of Southsea; but inasmuch as Mr. Michael Boyton declared that the doctor did him "more harm than good," he was this time attended by Dr. Benjamin Howard, of New York. Dr. Howard (founder of the American Humane Society), being a compatriot and knowing Captain Boyton personally, understood his patient's habits and constitution, and treated him on "common-sense" principles; that is to say, physiologically—throwing physic to the dogs. For instance, just before the Captain went to bed—after most good-naturedly putting on his life-saving dress for the inspection of a French lady, notwithstanding the work he had just done and the still greater work he had to do—Dr. Howard allowed him to take a very little underdone beefsteak, one cigar, and a small quantity of weak brandy and water. Having rested for a short time, Captain Boyton, Dr. Howard, Mr. Merridew (of Boulogne), Baron At la Touche (Sub-Prefect of the Pas de Calais), and others drove to the place of rendezvous, taking with them the life-saving dress, paddle, sail, etc. When they arrived, the Captain felt rather sleepy, and Dr. Howard gave him some beef-tea, but no brandy; and finally, just before entering the water, a little green tea—as being a better stimulant and more lasting in its effects than alcohol. Dr. Howard's system had always proved so successful, that Captain Boyton, with the greatest confidence, placed himself unreservedly in his hands, and Mr. Michael Boyton scrupulously carried out all Dr. Howard's instructions.
--end excerpt
[Can't find part 2]
New York Times, June 14, 1875, Page 2
CAPTAIN BOYTON'S SWIM; AN EXCITING TRIP ACROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. THE SWIMMER AS SEEN FROM THE STEAMER HIS COURAGE AND DETERMINATION THE ENTHUSIASM WHICH WELCOMED HIM A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN. THE BOAT-RIDE OF THE FRENCH JOURNALISTS. WATCHING THE SWIMMER. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FEAT. THE CARRIER PIGEONS.
Four page article:
The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times (London, England), June 05, 1875; Pages 353-
Captain Boyton's Successful Voyage Across the Channel
New York Tribune, June 11, 1875, Page 2
CAPT. BOYTON'S TRIUMPH
HIS SECOND ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL
STEAMER PRINCE ERNEST, May 29--3:30
Capt. Boyton has arrived on board, fatigued, but in
usual health. He has had a warm sponge bath, hot
milk punch, and is now in warm blankets. Pulse and
temperature are not appreciably disturbed. The painful
irritation of his face from exposure to the sun and brine is
his chief cause of complaint. This is being allayed by
inunction. He complains of great stiffness of the joints.
He is in bounding spirits, and proposed leaving for London
in a few hours. BENJAMIN HOWARD, M. D.,
Hon. Sec. of Life-Saving Society of New-York.
-
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