Gallant rescue from drowning in the River Mersey, off Garston, near Liverpool. On Thursday afternoon four young lads had an exceedingly narrow escape from drowning in the ferry harbour; they were amusing themselves with a boat, when they overbalanced and fell into the water; this was noticed by Alexander Ferguson, mason, who was standing on the jetty, and he, without divesting himself of any of his clothes, swam to their rescue. Having succeeded in getting hold of three lads, he landed them ashore, and then struck out for the other, who by this time had almost disappeared, his hands only being visible above the water. Ferguson landed him ashore also. After some time all the four were able to walk home to Liverpool. A large crowd was on the jetty at the time, and great excitement prevailed. Ferguson deserves great credit for the courage and presence of mind he displayed, and it is believed that but for his efforts the lads would have been drowned.—Liverpool Mercury, 1872.
Great Swimming Feats.
1. Fourteen miles down the river with the rapid ebb tide, from the middle buoys opposite the Tay ferries to far buoy at the mouth of the river Tay, in 5-1/2 hours (1859.)
2. Across the Frith of Clyde from Carrought, Ayrshire, to Ailsa Rock; 8 miles in 3 hours, through strong currents.
3. Across the Frith of Forth, from Buckhaven, in Fifeshire, to North Berwick; 18 miles in 7 hours (1862.)
4. Across the Bay of Leece, from the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse to Barrowhead; 10 miles in 4 hours.
5. Across the mouth of Loch Ryan, from Ronmach, in Ayrshire, to Kirkcolm Point in Gallowayshire; 4 miles in 2 hours.
6. From John O'Groat's House to Stoma; 8 miles in 2-1/2 hours, through dangerous currents (1873.)
7. Across the strong-currented river to Cardell Point, on the east of Cantyre, from Penrioch, on the coast of Arran; 11 miles in 3-1/2 hours (1874.)
8. Across the Frith of Clyde from West Kilbride, in Ayrshire, to Grombe, on the east coast of Arran, a distance of 12-1/2 miles in 4-1/2 hours (1874.)