Miss Gertrude Ederle

Miss Gertrude Ederle B/W Photograph 25th Feb 1943. Famous Woman swimmer in aircraft instrument shop. EH/UP.70 Photo shows:- Gertrude Ederle, who swam the English Channel in 1926, the first woman to complete the swim is now at work in the instrument shop of an airline system in New York City, overhauling instruments used in trans-atlantic flying boats. Fox Feb. 25th 43.

Gertrude was the first woman to swim the English Channel, on the 6th of August 1926 in a new record time of 14hrs.39mins. She was the first person to swim front crawl. She had one unsuccessful swim in 1925 on August 18th. She swam for 8 hours 50mins She was trained by Jabez Wolffe. and swam Breast stroke on her first swim. On her successful swim she wore a two piece costume. and used an eight leg beat crawl. She was one of six children. She held world records for 300yds. 500yds, 880yds, 400m.440m, 500m. She played herself in the film Swim girl Swim.