Search swimsCurrently displaying: 2 results You've searched for:Year: "1875" xDecade: "1870s" x Field to search All fieldsSuccessful swim numberSuccessful swimmer numberSwim ranking (England-France)Swim ranking (France-England) Search term Filter by Success Successful (1)Failed (1)Filter by Crossings One Way Swim (1)Filter by Ratified Independent (1)Filter by Nationality UK (1) Sort by: OldestNewestSwimmerSuccessful swim numberSuccessful swimmer number Webb, Captain Matthew -12/08/1875Description Start 4:59 pm Aug 12th. Finish 12:00 midnight. Time 7.02. E-F. Admiralty Pier to 3 miles SSE of East Goodwin Lightship - about 10 miles. Food; Coffee. Ale. Beef Tea. Cod liver oil. Roast beef. Breast stroke 24 per min, with some side stroke.Swimmer(s) Webb, Captain MatthewDate 12/08/1875Duration of swim 06:59Pilot George Toms, Mate James BowlesPilot boat Lugger Ann and and two rowing boatsNotes Start at begining of flood tide. Rough conditions and many on board sick; some found difficulty taking niotes in the conditions with just the light of a tallow candle. At 10:05 the wind changed and rain came, during which they lost sight of Webb and his row boat. At 11:45 Webb called out 'it is no use going on, there is too much sea'. A few minutes later he sprang out of the water as if nothing had happened, as strong as ever. The wind was now whistling through the rigging. On board; James Bowles (mate), A.G. Payne and H.F. Wilkinson (referees from Ilex Swimming club), H. Ward (Webb's cousin), Charles 'Boy' Baker (swimmer/lifeguard) age 16Success/failure Failed (725)Direction(s) England-France (657)Webb, Captain Matthew - 25/08/1875Description Temp 65°f. Porpoises sighted at 3:08 and 4:30. Mainly Breast stroke some side stroke. Start 26 strokes per min, after 1 hr 22 for 2 ½ hrs then a steady 20. Swimmer(s) Webb, Captain MatthewDate 25/08/1875Successful swim number 1Successful swimmer number 1Successful swim number England - France 1Duration of swim 21:45Pilot Capt George Toms, (Mate) John Dodd. Five crew - Bowles, Jell, Gates, Gates, Decent, and Stanley.Pilot boat Lugger Ann, two rowing boats. Notes START 12:56 pm. Tue, Aug 24; FINISH 10:41am. Aug 25; TIME 21h 45m E-F. Step at End of Admiralty Pier to Calais Sands. Recognized by C.S.A. 16-8-1928. Grease; Porpoise Grease. Neap tide, started on half ebb. Start; 3½ hrs before high water. Tide 15ft 10 inch. Food; Ale. Beef tea.Coffee.Brandy.Cod liver oil. Allotted Witnesses were; Mr. A. G. Payne and Mr. Harry F. Wilkinson, of the Ilex swimming club. Others on board; J. B. Jones, (Editor Dover Express) Mr Warman (Dover Chronicle) Mr Bell (Illustrated News) taking pictures. George Ward (cousin). At the start the sea was so calm that the sweeps had to be plied to keep the Lugger up with the swimmer. In the last two hrs large waves were breaking over the swimmer and Webb’s haggard face could occasionally be seen above the waves. The Porpoise grease was provided by the Athone Boot Company. His woolen costume weighed 10 lbs. A French Doctor thrust himself into the room uninvited, then sent a bill for 50 Francs. On Capt George Toms Tombstone is recorded the fact that he piloted Capt Webb when he swam the Channel. Webb presented him with a gold ring. Webb had already swam 21 miles, from Blackwall to Gravesend. And Dover to Ramsgate.Success/failure Successful (681)Direction(s) England-France (657)Number of crossings One Way Swim (644)Ratified Independent (34)