SWIMMING THE CHANNEL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1911, Page 6

SWIMMING THE CHANNEL.

SUCCESS OF BURGESS. (Received 7, 8.50 a.m.) London, September G. Burgess swam the Channel. (Received 7, 11.15 a.m.) London, September 6. Burgess made his fourteenth attempt to swim the Channel yesterday. He left South Foreland at 10.55 in the morning and reached Cape Grisnez at 10.30 to-day. He made fine progress at the outset but a thick fog came on in the evening. No news of the swimmer and the accompanying motor boat could be procured, and for a time there was some anxiety. The sea remained calm and the temperature of the water was 66, compared with 62 when Webb accomplished the feat. Burgess made a plucky struggle against the rapid tides and driftage. He met with a greatreception on returning to Dover none the worse for his experience. He wins a cup valued at 250 guineas.

Captain Matthew Webb swam from Dover to Calais in 21hr 45min on August 24th and 25th, 1875. Since then a great number of attempts have been made to repeat the feat, but without success. Of those who attempted the long swim none has been more persistent than Montague Holbein, whose attempts have been numberless.