Henry Sullivan (Channel swimer) receiving trophy in 1923 at Dover

Glass negative showing Henry Sullivan (channel swimmer) receiving the Alexander Channel Cup trophy in 1923 at Dover Standing on the steps of Lord Warden Hotel(?), Henry Sullivan is here presented with his trophy by Alderman Bussey JP, Deputy Mayor. Henry Sullivan took 26hrs 50mins swimming about 56 miles.

Henry Sullivan, from Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, was the 3rd man to swim the Channel, on his 7th attempt, at age 34 in 1923. Left Shakespeare Cliff and landed at Calais sands, 26 hrs 50 mins.  Accompanied by the Folkestone lugger ‘Day Spring’ and 2 Dover galleys.

He won the Channel Swimming Cup presented by A. Alexander. The Cup was made of silver, was 37 3/4 ins tall, and weighed 26lbs (the Cup was auctioned in America in 2011 for $20,000) and £1000 prize from the Daily Sketch.

He was in Dover preparing for another attempt in August 1914 when the declaration of war forced him to cancel and return to the USA

England to France: 25/8/13 (failed), 25/8/20 (failed), 8/9/20 (failed), 9/9/21 (failed), 21/9/21 (failed) 5+6/8/23 (success), time 26 hours 50 minutes – the longest time for a successful swim untill 2010

France to England: 25/8/21 (failed)