Kearsley, Fred

September 8th, 1908 Fred. Kearsley, of Wigan, Lancashire, made an attempt from Sandgate, but owing to a change in the weather the sea became so very rough that after two hours he was prevailed upon to retire. He had covered five miles.

Kearsley, born 1879 son of Robert and Elizabeth, was a carter and hawker of Latham’s Yard, Millgate, Wigan. The town of Wigan raised the money to pay for his attempt and the fund committee also appointed a trainer, Fred Fairhust of Wigan. They didnt get on well and, after two weeks in Dover training, Fairhurst was dimissed by Kearsley, just before the swim. The animosity continued back in Wigan with Kearsley eventually accusing Fairhurst of defamation and slander but the case was dismissed in court