Haggerty, John (Jack)

John ‘Jack’ Haggerty (Stalybridge)
28 April 1862 – 14 Jan 1939

The Weekly Dispatch had advertised for a swimmer to be sponsored and trained by the Dispatch to swim the English Channel. From 3,678 applications Haggerty, a well known professional swimmer, was selected. He stayed at the Shakespeare Hotel during his stay in Dover. The day of 20th August 1904 effectively became a race between Burgess, Holbein, Haggerty and Greasley. None of them completed the swim.

At age 10 Haggerty became the junior champion of Stalybridge. He became the swimming champion of the UK over 100yds and 220yds. He held world records for 80yds (51sec) and 100yds (1m 31sec)

From 1888 to 1892 he won almost every race he entered and he won the 1898 World 5 miles championship. In 1898 and 1899 he was winner of the international championships in France. He was the swimming instructor at Christ’s College. Cambridge.

He moved to Blackpool but died at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after being knocked over in the crowd at the Powderhall Handicap running race (now the New Year Sprint), breaking his leg.