Editing Matthew Webb (section)

==English Channel swimming record==
In mid-1872, Webb read an account of the failed attempt by [[J. B. Johnson (swimmer)|J. B. Johnson]] to swim the English Channel, and became inspired to try.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=54-56}}

===Channel training===
In 1874 Webb sought financial backers for his Channel attempt and other long swims. He approached [[Robert Watson (journalist)|Robert Watson]], owner of the ''[[Swimming, Rowing and Athletic Record]]'' and ''[[Swimming Notes and Record]]'', for support.{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=172}} Though Watson doubted Webb would attempt the channel, he advised him to wait until next summer for better weather. Webb agreed and moved to Dover to practice. Locals there nicknamed him the "Red Indian" as he would often come back from long swims with a red face.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=66–67}} Before returning to Watson's office on [[Fleet Street]], he tested himself by swimming to the [[Varne Lightvessel]] and back again, a distance of {{cvt|13|miles}}.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=67-68}}

Watson was surprised by Webb's return and introduced him to [[Fred Beckwith]], a coach at [[Lambeth Baths]] in [[south London]].{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=172}}{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=68-69}} Watson and Beckwith arranged a secret trial of Webb, watching him swim [[breaststroke]] down the [[River Thames|Thames]] from [[Westminster Bridge]] to [[Regent's Canal Dock]]. After an hour and 20 minutes, they "grew tired of watching his slow, methodical but perfect breaststroke" and concluded his trial.{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=173}} For the rest of the 1874 swimming season, Webb trained daily at Lambeth Baths.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=73–74}} He became close friends with Beckwith and Watson.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=99-100}}[[File:Captain_Paul_Boyton,_Swam_the_Straits_of_Gibraltar,_from_World's_Champions,_Second_Series_(N43)_for_Allen_&_Ginter_Cigarettes_MET_DP839332.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Paul Boyton in his survival suit, on the front of a cigarette packet]]
In June 1875 Webb left his job as captain of the ''Emerald'' to focus on swimming.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=104}}<ref name=":0" /> That same month, future American rival [[Paul Boyton]] paddled across the Channel in a [[survival suit]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Irving |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Irving |title=The Annals of Our Time from March 20, 1874, to the Occupation of Cyprus |publisher=Macmillan |year=1879 |location=London |page=24 |chapter=Captain Boyton |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e28BAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA24}}</ref>{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}} Although Boyton used a suit, the public viewed them as rivals, forcing Webb to match the standards of endurance that Boyton set.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=80–81}} Webb called Boyton "an obvious fraud".{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=86}}

On 3 July Beckwith organised a spectacle with Webb attempting a {{cvt|20|mile|adj=on}} swim from Blackwall to Gravesend along the River Thames, which he finished in 4 hours and 52 minutes.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=104}}{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=102}} Although Webb gained media attention for the feat,{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=102}} low public interest on the rainy day meant Beckwith lost money. As a result, Webb hired a new manager, [[Arthur Gay Payne|Arthur Payne]], sporting editor of ''[[Evening Standard|The Standard]].''{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=173}}

On 17 July Webb announced his attempt to swim the English Channel with a statement in ''Bell's Life'' and ''Land and Water'':{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|pp=104-105}}{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=103}}

{{Blockquote|text=I am authorised by Captain Webb to announce his full determination to attempt the feat of swimming across the Channel... Beyond a paltry bet of £20 to £1 he has nothing to gain by success. Surely, under the circumstances, there are some lovers of sport who would gladly, in sporting language, "put him on so much to nothing". Should he by chance succeed, which is extremely improbable, it would be cruel that one who would undoubtedly have performed the greatest athletic feat on record should be a loser by the event.|author=Arthur Payne}}

Webb's next swim was a 20-mile journey from Dover to [[Ramsgate]]. He hired a local boatman and invited a reporter from the ''[[Dover Chronicle]]''.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=104-105}} Despite heavy rain, he set off just before 10:00 with the tide in his favour. Webb alternated between breaststroke and [[sidestroke]],{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=105}} finishing in eight hours and 40 minutes at [[Ramsgate Pier]].{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=106}} The only newspaper to report was the ''Dover Chronicle''.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=106}}

After his long swims, Webb underwent a medical check in London, which was reported in the ''Land and Water''.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=106–108}} An employee there gave Webb a jar of [[porpoise]] oil for insulation, which he later used for his Channel swim.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=108-109}}

In August Webb moved from London to the [[Flying Horse Inn (Dover)|Flying Horse Inn]] in Dover to begin final preparations. He swam an hour daily, except every tenth day when he swam up to five hours.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=109}}

===Channel swim===
Webb consulted locals about conditions in the [[Strait of Dover]] and chose to use Boyton's strategy. He planned to start on the east [[flood tide]] and catch the current as it turned west.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=110}} For support, he chose the lugger boat ''Ann'', which was captained by George Toms.<ref name="dawleyheritage" />{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=110-111}} Webb did not want a doctor, since he believed he knew his health best.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=111}}

====First attempt====
[[File:Map_showing_the_routes_of_Matthew_Webb's_two_channel_attempts.png|thumb|Map showing the routes of Webb's two channel attempts]]
Webb waited for moderately good weather and began his first attempt on 12 August.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=111–112}}<ref name="dawleyheritage" /> According to Dolphin from the ''[[Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News]]'', during the swim, he tried an early form of goggles without a seal, which he called "barnacles", but they did not work.{{Sfn|Dolphin|1875|p=13}} The weather worsened, and after seven hours he was over nine miles off course.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=174}}{{Sfn|Sprawson|1993|p=37}} He boarded the boat 15 minutes before the weather conditions would have prevented him doing so. Despite his disappointment, he remained positive and was assured by Toms that with better weather, he likely would have succeeded.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=117}}

====Successful attempt====
Good weather arrived on 24 August with a good [[barometer]] reading, light wind and slightly overcast sky. The sea temperature was {{cvt|18|C}}.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=118}} Webb ate bacon and eggs with [[Bordeaux wine|claret]], then set off in the ''Ann'' from the [[Dover Harbour|Harbour]] to [[Admiralty Pier]].{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=119}} Toms predicted the swim would take around 14 hours, while Captain Pittock of the ''[[PS Castalia|Castalia—]]''who was an expert on the Channel waters—estimated it would take around 20.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=118}} At the time of his swim, Webb weighed {{cvt|204|lb}}, his chest size was {{cvt|40.5|inches}} and he was {{cvt|5|feet|8|inches}} tall.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}}
[[File:Admiralty_Pier_Dover_England.jpg|thumb|Admiralty Pier, Dover, pictured between 1890 and 1900<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Framed Print, Admiralty Pier Dover England, 17-7/8" x 21-7/8" |url=https://snapshotsofthepast.com/admiralty-pier-dover-england-amz-sotp-phc-263000 |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=Snapshots Of The Past |language=en}}</ref>]]
At 12:56 pm, Webb dived from the pier in his red silk swimming costume.<ref name="dawleyheritage" /> He set off into the [[ebb tide]] which carried him for the first three-quarters of a mile.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}}<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=174}} Webb was backed by the ''Ann'' and two smaller rowing boats operated by Charles Baker, who joined Webb in the water for parts of the swim, and [[John Graham Chambers]].{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=119}}<ref name=":02">{{cite ODNB|id=5075|title=Chambers, John Graham|first=M. A.|last=Bryant}}</ref> Aboard the ''Ann'' were: Toms and his crew, Webb's brother-in-law George Ward, Payne (acting as a referee and reporter for the ''Land and Water'' and ''The Standard'') and reporters from ''[[The Field (magazine)|The Field]]'', the ''Daily News'', the ''[[Dover Express]]'', ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', the ''Dover Chronicle'', ''[[The Times]]'', the ''Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News'' and ''[[The Illustrated London News]]''.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=119}}<ref name="dawleyheritage" />{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=174}}
[[File:Boat_crew_feeding_Matthew_Webb_hot_coffee_during_his_English_Channel_crossing.png|thumb|Boat crew feeding Webb hot coffee]]Webb started swimming breaststroke at 25 strokes per minute but soon slowed to 20. He consumed [[cod liver oil]], beef tea, [[brandy]], [[coffee]] and [[ale]], but did not stop long for each feed to preserve body heat.{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=175}}{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=122-123}}

By 17:30, Dover could not be seen. At 20:35, Webb was stung painfully by a [[jellyfish]], but he continued after a shot of brandy, and by 23:00, Toms believed they were over halfway.{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=175}}<ref name="mason">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Paul |date=10 October 2013 |title=Heroes of swimming: Captain Matthew Webb |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-swimming-blog/2013/oct/10/swimming-captain-matthew-webb-swim-the-english-channel |work=The Guardian |department=The Swimming Blog}}</ref> A mail boat named ''The Maid of Kent'' passed Webb, with passengers cheering.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=127}}

For five hours, the currents off [[Cap Gris-Nez]] prevented him from reaching the shore,<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=24 September 2014 |title=The daredevil channel swimmer |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/features/2003/12/captain_webb.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719105628/https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/features/2003/12/captain_webb.shtml |archive-date=19 July 2024 |access-date=19 July 2024 |publisher=BBC Shropshire}}</ref> and he was visibly struggling.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=128}} By 21:30, Webb had slowed to twelve strokes per minute, and the crew grew anxious.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=|pp=131-132}} The ''Maid of Kent'' returned with a rowing boat containing eight people to shield Webb from the wind and rain,{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=32}} and the crew sang the tune "[[Rule, Britannia!]]".{{Sfn|Sprawson|1993|p=38}}[[File:Gris_nez_pano_cotes.jpg|thumb|View from Cap Griz Nez, facing England]]After nearly 22 hours, at 10:41 am on 25 August, he landed near Calais.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}} His zig-zag course across the Channel covered about {{cvt|39|miles}}.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}}<ref>{{cite news |title=How The Channel First Was Swum. Captain Webb, Son of a Physician, Received Training as Sailor in China Trade. Killed in Niagara River. Tried to Cross Rapids in 1883 and Was Lost |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E0DE1DD1339EF32A25750C2A96E9C946495D6CF&legacy=true |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 August 1925 }}</ref><ref name="dawleyheritage" /> After finishing, he fell into his friends' arms,{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=133}} and slept in the Hotel de Paris.{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=176}}

===Reception===
After his swim, Webb had a temperature of {{cvt|38|C}} and two long swellings on his neck. He slept almost continuously for 24 hours.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=138-139}} After meeting the crowds at the hotel and touring a lace factory,{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=139}} Webb and George Ward boarded the flag-decorated ''Castalia'' for their return to England. Webb briefly went to the saloon but soon moved to the deck, where he was greeted by a cheering crowd.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=141}}[[File:Matthew Webb.jpg|thumb|upright|Caricature of Webb by [[Carlo Pellegrini (caricaturist)|Ape]], published in the London magazine ''[[Vanity Fair (British magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' in 1875]]At [[Dover Harbour]], a crowd eagerly awaited him. Webb, Toms and the crew boarded a carriage to the [[Flying Horse Inn (Dover)|Flying Horse Inn]].{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=141–142}} Webb soon grew tired of the crowd and tried to leave for his home in [[Wellington, Shropshire|Wellington]] via train. The crowd accompanied him to the train station, while the song "[[See the Conquering Hero Comes]]" was played.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=145}}

In Wellington, a crowd brought his carriage to [[Ironbridge]], where the Mayor of Wenlock greeted him.<ref name="dawleyheritage" /> The journey was lit by candles, torches and lanterns held by the residents.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=146-147}} On Monday, he was met by a group from Dawley. They escorted him and his family down the High Street, where people welcomed him.<ref name="dawleyheritage" />{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=149}} Flowers lined his route, and the day ended with a bonfire and fireworks.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=149-150}} When Webb visited the [[Baltic Exchange]] in London, workers stopped to cheer him.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=151}} He accepted invitations to visit the [[William Cotton (Lord Mayor)|Lord Mayor of London]], receive an ovation at the [[Royal Cambridge Music Hall]] and have his portrait drawn.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=152}}

Webb received gifts, including gold cuff links and collar studs, a gold watch and a [[North London Swimming Club]] gold cross.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=152-153}} The [[London Stock Exchange]] established him a [[testimonial fund]], which raised him £2,424 (£{{Inflation|index=UK|value=2424|start_year=1875|r=-4|fmt=c}} today).<ref name="dawleyheritage" />{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|p=176}}{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}} Webb gave £500 to his father and invested £1,782 before moving to [[Kensington]], London.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}} For the rest of 1875, Webb spoke at boys' schools, including the ''Conway'', where he was used as an example of [[British values|English virtues]].{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=156-157}}

Several newspapers reported on Webb.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=136-137}} ''The Standard'' published Payne's account of the crossing,{{Sfn|Lambie|2010|pp=174-176}} and ''The Daily Telegraph'' interviewed Webb.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|pp=142-143}} Surgeon [[Sir William Fergusson, 1st Baronet|Sir William Fergusson]] called Webb's feat "almost unrivalled as an instance of human prowess and endurance", and noted his body's likely ability for [[vasoconstriction]] to prevent heat loss.{{Sfn|Seccombe|1899|p=105}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=28 August 1875 |title=The Week |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/2/765/282 |journal=Br Med J |language=en |volume=2 |issue=765 |pages=282–283 |doi=10.1136/bmj.2.765.282 |issn=0007-1447|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It was suggested in parliament that Webb be knighted, with [[R. H. Horne|Richard Henry Horne]] being Webb's strongest advocate, but it never happened.{{Sfn|Sprawson|1993|pp=38-39}}

It took 36 years for anyone else to swim the channel, accomplished by [[Bill Burgess|Thomas Burgess]] in 1911.{{Sfn|Watson|2001|p=240}} After Burgess completed the crossing, Webb's widow was interviewed. She was pleased that Burgess had succeeded, as it demonstrated the crossing was possible and would silence those who doubted Webb's achievement.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=11 October 1911 |title=The Channel Swim |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH19111011.2.81 |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=[[Poverty Bay Herald]] |pages=8 |volume=XXXVIII |issue=12581}}</ref> Since then, the channel has been crossed by over 2500 swimmers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation - Solo Swims Statistics |url=https://cspf.co.uk/solo-swims-statistics |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation}}</ref>