Ned Barnie and Sam Rockett

Ned Barnie being congratulated by Sam Rockett after his successful swim from England to France in 19hrs 2mins.

William Edward ‘Ned’ Barnie, Midlothian, Scotland. In 1950 at 53 years of age Ned Barnie entered the Daily Mail Race; he finished in 5th place in a time of 14hrs 45mins. His pilot was T. Brockman and the boat was the “Ocean Princess”

He was Scotish half mile Champion in 1925. At the time of 1950 he was the only person to achieve a double crossing of the Firth of Fourth from Burnt-Island to Granton, as well as being the first person to get across. He was also holder of the East of Scotland Long Distance Championship. 

In 1951 he entered the International “Festival Of Britain” Daily Mail Race. He finished in 17th place with a time of 15hrs 01min. His Pilot was S.T. Liddon and the escort boat was the”Ocean King”.

In 1951 Ned also swam from England to France in 19hrs 02mins.

Sam Rockett swam in the 1950 Daily Mail race and was the fourth man to finish. He was Supervisor for the 1951 Daily Mail Race, an International race held in the “Festival of Britain year” and was also supervisor for the Billy Butlin races from 1953 to 1959, and the Sir Billy Butlin long distance walk from John O Groats to Lands End.

He played County Water Polo for a number of Counties. He was author of the book “its Cold in the Channel”

From the Sam Rockett collection.  A Black and White photograph.