August 24

Captain Matthew Webb was nothing if not tenacious. In 1875, on his first attempt to swim across the English Channel from England to France, he was forced by strong winds and horrible sea conditions to turn back. On the 24th in 1875, he tried again. After smearing himself with grease, he dipped into the water at Dover, England. Followed by three boats, he left at ebb tide and despite the efforts of some rather unfriendly jellyfish, which kept stinging him; he swam towards Calais, France. When he neared the coast, near Cap Griz-Nez, strong offshore currents prevented him from reaching the shore and he languished near the beach for five hours. Finally, 21 hours and 45 minutes after leaving England he stepped on to French soil. This was the first un-aided swim across the English Channel. (See also August 6)