Hinken, Harry

Disabled swimmer Harry Hinken made three unsuccessfull attempts. On the 9th September 1967 he swam ten miles in 7hrs 49mins –  he swam into an oil slick, which finished his attempt. He also made unsuccessful attempts in 1968 and 1969 – he finished both swims due to heavy seas; in 1968 he swam for 10hrs 19mins and in 1969 he swam 5 hundred yards in 50 minutes. He was making little headway due to the wind and tide and was being driven back onto the rocks. Captain Hutchinson took him out of the water for safety reasons.

Harry lost the use of his legs due to polio in 1953, aged 29 yrs.

Harry Hinken died 23 April 2004 aged 79. He was the longtime personnel director of the Washington Redskins Marching Band and made his living selling insurance in Arlington, where he lived for 50 years.