Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > Yorkshire > Rotherham
William Thomas Burgess, Channel swimmer
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
William Thomas Burgess, Channel swimmer
William Thomas Burgess (right) at Walmer after his successful channel swim, which took place on 5-6 September 1911. He was the second person to swim the channel after Captain Matthew Webb in 1875. With him are his mother, Mrs Burgess, and Captain H W Pearson, the pilot of the motor boat Elsie which accompanied him across (the boat can be seen in the background of the photograph). The departure point was the South Foreland Lighthouse, St Margarets Bay, Dover, and the arrival point was Cap Grisnez, Le Chatelet. The time taken was 22 hours and 35 minutes. Burgess came from Rotherham in Yorkshire, and worked as a blacksmith in Paris. Burgess stated afterwards that his main sustenance during the swim was Nestles milk chocolate, plus a few grapes, a chicken leg and half a cup of tea
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4432477
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10410850
1875 Burgess Cape Channel Chatelet Chicken Chocolate Dover Elsie Grapes Matthew Pearson Pilot Rotherham Swim Swimming Walmer Webb Will I Am
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> France
> Paris
> Sport
> Europe
> France
> Sport
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Sports
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> Yorkshire
> Rotherham
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, William Thomas Burgess (right) is seen triumphantly emerging from the English Channel after completing his successful swim on September 5-6, 1911. Burgess, who hailed from Rotherham in Yorkshire, became the second person to accomplish the feat of swimming the English Channel after Captain Matthew Webb in 1875. The image captures a proud moment as Burgess is greeted by his mother, Mrs. Burgess, and Captain H.W. Pearson, the pilot of the motor boat, Elsie, which accompanied him on his arduous journey. The swim began at the South Foreland Lighthouse in St. Margaret's Bay, Dover, and ended at Cap Grisnez, Le Chatelet. Burgess's time in the water was 22 hours and 35 minutes. Prior to his swim, Burgess lived and worked as a blacksmith in Paris. Burgess's perseverance and determination paid off as he braved the treacherous waters of the English Channel, relying on Nestles milk chocolate, a few grapes, a chicken leg, and half a cup of tea as his main sources of sustenance during the swim. The boat, Elsie, can be seen in the background of the photograph. This photograph is a testament to the courage and resilience of Burgess, who overcame the challenges of the Channel and made history as one of the earliest Channel swimmers. The image captures the excitement and accomplishment of this remarkable achievement.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
