Editing Matthew Webb (section)

=== Apprenticeship with the Rathbone Brothers ===
In 1862, Webb began a three-year apprenticeship on eastern cargo ships operated by the [[Rathbone Brothers]] of [[Liverpool]]. He trained to become a [[second mate]], earning £30 (about £{{Inflation|index=UK|value=30|start_year=1862|r=-2|fmt=c}} today) for his three years' work.<ref name="dawleyheritage" />{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=104}}{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=47}} His first voyage was from Liverpool to [[Calcutta]]. The crew faced bad weather that terrified Webb.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=47-48}} Despite this, he excelled in the harsh conditions and was not prone to seasickness unlike the other new recruits. The ship then sailed to [[Hong Kong]], [[Singapore]], back to Calcutta and then back home. In Hong Kong, Webb fought off a mugging attempt until a policeman caused the assailants to flee.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=51-52}}

His next trip was to [[Aden]] and then [[Bombay]], where he spent three months and first swam in the sea. He swam between the boats in the harbour, dining at his destination and swimming back again. He enjoyed the extra buoyancy that the saltwater provided, and the roughness of the waves.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=52}} Webb gained a reputation for fearlessness and was admired by his comrades.{{Sfn|Sprawson|1993|p=36}} After his third voyage, he passed his second mate qualification.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=52}}