Today marks the day a man in a red silk swimsuit made history. Captain Matthew Webb, a 27-year-old merchant navy officer from Shropshire, England, became the first person to swim across the English Channel on August 24, 1875. No wetsuit. No goggles. Just porpoise fat to keep warm, sheer grit, and the slow but steady rhythm of the breaststroke.

He dove into the cold waters off Dover on August 24, determined to reach France. The Channel is just 21 miles wide—but tides, currents, and shifting weather make it treacherous. By the time Webb reached Calais, he’d swum more than 39 miles. It took him 21 hours and 45 minutes.

He Didn’t Do It For Fame—But He Got It Anyway

• The Daily Telegraph declared him “the best-known and most popular man in the world.”
• A triumphal arch was built in his hometown.
• London held a banquet in his honor.
• The stock exchange established a testimonial fund in his honor.

Webb’s journey to this achievement began years earlier. One of twelve children, he grew up swimming in the River Severn. Although he wasn’t the fastest swimmer, his endurance was unmatched. At the age of twelve, he joined the Navy, where he gained recognition for his daring rescues and open-water feats. When Webb learned about a failed attempt to swim the Channel, he didn’t view it as a failure; instead, he saw it as a challenge.

Webb’s Training

He trained hard. Swam 10 to 20 miles a day. Acclimated to the cold. When his first Channel attempt failed, he didn’t quit. He waited for a better tide—and tried again.

That second attempt, on August 24, was brutal:

• He battled cold, jellyfish, and seaweed.
• He fueled up on beef tea, brandy, and coffee passed from escort boats.
• At one point, a tide change pushed him backward just seven miles from France.
• But Webb powered on.

Just before 11 a.m. on August 25, he stumbled ashore near Calais. The crew of a passing ship sang “Rule Britannia” as he neared the beach. His return to England was triumphant. But the glory didn’t last.

Within a few years, the crowds moved on. Webb gave lectures and performed stunts to make a living. He floated for 60 hours in a whale tank and attempted other extreme swims. His final act came in 1883 at Niagara Falls. Webb tried to swim the deadly whirlpool beneath the Falls. Spectators watched in horror as he disappeared beneath the rapids.

Five days later, his battered body was found.

His death was tragic—but his legacy endures.

Webb showed the world what was possible with determination, training, and raw courage. His memorial in Dawley, England, bears a fitting inscription:

“Nothing Great Is Easy.”