Through the middle of the strait a current may be considered to set constantly to the eastward, but on each side, both flood and ebb tides extend to a quarter of a mile or to two miles from the shore, according to the wind and weather, and are consequently very irregular.
At 7:30 o'clock Boyton had donned his dress and was ready to take the water.

For the first time in the history of his voyages he took the unusual precaution against sharks, of screwing sharp steel sword blades on each end of his double bladed paddle.

With these he felt confident that he could stand up in the water and rip open any shark that approached him.

He also carried a large dagger fastened to his wrist.

He jumped into the sea amidst the enthusiastic cheering of quite a crowd that had assembled on the beach to see him start.