Brown, Alfred

Captain Alfred Brown of New York (also known as Captain Allan Borran) was a commodore in the American Life Saving Society and an assistant to Harry Houdini

Capt. Alfred R. Brown of the Flushing Bay Corps of the American Life Saving Society

He made the first stage swim across the Panama Canal, sea to sea, in 1913.

He referred to himself as ‘the long distance champion of the world’ and assisted Harry Houdini by placing chains and locks on his trunk, and then helping to lower him into one of Manhattan’s rivers. He was there as well to rescue Houdini, if he needed it

In July 1914 Jack Weidman of Dover announced he had been engaged to train two Americans to swim the Channel in late August – heavyweight boxer Edward “Gunboat” Smith and Alfred Brown (Smith was already in the UK – he had fought Georges Carpentier to retain the ‘White Hope’ Heavyweight World Championship on 16 July 1914 at Olympia in London but lost)

Brown sailed for England on 1/8/1914 aboard the liner St Louis intending to get in about 2 weeks training with Weidman before an attempt around the last 2 days of August. War had been declared by the time he arrived and he returned to the US on the St. Louis on 15/8/1914

Smith is eager to swim the Channel:
Gunboat Smith the well-known knight of the roped arena has developed a craving for swimming honors and will this summer attempt the world’s classic feat of aquatic endurance – the crossing of the English Channel. He is to make the trial late in August, together with Commodore Alfred Brown of the American Life Saving Society…News of “Gunboats” decision comes through John Weidman of Dover , who will handle Brown in the big swim. He writes that the pugilist claims to be a strong and able natator and has asked to accompany Brown, so thinking Brown would not mind, he has told him to “come along”. Brown is perfectly willing that the heavyweight should be a member of the party and has so stated. It will actually be a match race…The date for the American’s attack on the famous course has yet to be settled on but August 29, 30 or 31 are the days now being considered…
02 August 1914 – Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City, Utah