Harry Hinken at Captain Webb's Memorial

Harry Hinken, who three times attempted to be the first Paraplegic to swim the English channel. Longtime personnel director of the Washington Redskins Marching Band. Harry lost the use of his legs due to polio in 1953, aged 29 yrs.

On the 9th September 1967 he swam ten miles in 7hrs 49mins –  he swam into an oil slick, which finished his attempt. He also made unsuccessful attempts in 1968 and 1969 – he finished both swims due to heavy seas; in 1968 he swam for 10hrs 19mins and in 1969 he swam 5 hundred yards in 50 minutes. He was making little headway due to the wind and tide and was being driven back onto the rocks. Captain Hutchinson took him out of the water for safety reasons.

The inscription below the bust of Captain Webb reads: Capt. Matthew Webb Born Dawley 1848 Died Niagra 1883 Swam from Dover to Calais Aug 24-25 1875 Erected by Public Subscription 1910.

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