1822 Life Preserver Demonstration

Editor's note: The following articles are from the June 25 - 27, 1822 issues of the "New-York Evening Post" and "National Advocate". Thank you to Contributing Scholar George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing these articles. The language, spelling and grammar of the article reflects the time period when it was written.

Cork filled life jacket from Hudson River Day Line steamboat "Albany". Hudson River Maritime Museum collection.

Life preserver. -- This afternoon, at half past 5 o'clock, an exhibition of a new invented life preserver will take place on Governor's Island. Two gentlemen will walk in the water, and perform certain feats with a gun and a broadsword. The object being to test the utility of the invention. A ticket at $1 will admit a lady and a gentleman on board the "Nautilus", to see the exhibition. National Advocate, June 25, 1822

WALK IN THE WATER. An immense concourse of people were attracted to the Battery yesterday afternoon, to see two persons walk in the water, in new invented life preservers; and according to flaming handbills and newspaper puffs, they were to fire pistols, fight with broad swords and perform other aquatic evolutions, which are usually performed at periods of shipwreck. About 400 persons were crowded on board the "Nautilus", and as many more in a team-boat; 10,000 spectators lined the wharves and battery, and the river was covered with boats, gigs and barges, which soon made their way for Governor's Island. -- while the whole world were snug under the shore of the island, we perceived on the opposite shore, a small boat with four persons, and judging from certain suspicious movements, that they were the parties, we ordered the gig to steer for them; and being the only boat along side, we saw them leap into the water, cased with some kind of jacket and drawers, of a buoyant nature, and walk erect with great ease, while, having a fair view of the successful experiment, the two water walkers fired their carbines; at the signal, the crowd of boats watching near the shore, dashed in immense numbers, towards them, and surrounded them so thickly, that it was dangerous to proceed; and they jumped into their boat, whip'd their green plaid cloaks about them, and rowed off. Those who paid a dollar saw nothing -- hundreds who came in boats, were also disappointed -- but for ourselves, we saw the whole experiment, almost alone, for about ten minutes, and was satisfied with its utility. The crowd of boats was so great, and the concussion of prows, sterns, mast, rigging and oars, so powerful, that the whole had the appearance of an attack.
National Advocate, June 26, 1822,

Walk-in-the-water. -- . . . the exhibition of two men, supported with cork jackets, in deep water, . . . promised to such of our fellow citizens as were willing to pay a dollar a piece. . . . But we are inclined to believe, from what was said, it was a sort of a hoax. On the whole, we suspect the public has been imposed upon, if not insulted.
N-Y E Post, June 26, 1822

Mr. Coleman, Sir. -- The proprietor of the Life Preserving Dress, observed in your paper of last Evening, your remarks, that his Exhibition was a hoax, "and that the public were imposed upon, if not insulted." In justice to himself and the public, he has to state that every pledge or promise made, was most fully accomplished, as Mr. Noah and hundreds of others can attest. If, contrary to every rational expectation, those for whom the experiment was made and who paid for witnessing, were prevented from seeing the Exhibition for the numberless boats in the River, surely no blame ought to attach to him. -- He can assure the public, that so far from making it a catch dollar concern, that he is the loser of 65 dollars, besides a great deal of time and trouble. He will in a few days, make another exhibition, when he trusts he will be favored with your company, and fully satisfy you and everyone else, if any doubts exist not only of its utility, but its practicability. [unsigned]
N-Y E Post, June 27, 1822

Walk-in-the-water. -- Nearly all our city editors, including the sagacious Doctor of the Evening Post, are angry with me, because I saw the walk in the water gentry, and pronounce it boldly to be no hoax, but, on the contrary, a good invention. I offered neighbor Stone and Prof. Carter a seat in our news cutter; but forsooth, they feared the imputation of being considered bucktails and preferred some 300 ladies and gentlemen on board the "Nautilus", and saw nothing.
National Advocate, June 27, 1822,

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