Captain Webb Beer Mat, Courage Bitter

Special edition ‘Sporting Heroes’ Beer Mat, from John Courage Bitter.

Oval photograph of Captain Matthew Webb, with dates 1848-1883, showing medals pinned to his chest. On reverse shows biographcal information, including ‘First man to swim the Channel’. It says: “The first man to swim the English Channel. His first attempt on 12 August 1875 ended after seven hours when he drifted off course. On his second attempt, twelve days later, he succeeded in reaching Calais after more than 21 hours in the water. Although the dirct distance from Dover is 21 miles, Webb’s drifting route, hampered by three tides, took him nearly 40 miles. Before the start he was rubbed with porpoise oil and during his swim fortified himself with beef tea, brandy and beer. He drowned in 1883 attempting to swim rapids above Niagra Falls”.

Underneath it says “John Courage strong draught bitter” and there is a picture of a hen which is red in colour.