3-052-727 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Swimming-match between a dog and a man, [London], 1880. 'A strange aquatic contest in the Thames...A female retriever, six years old, belonging to Mr. Edes of Margate, had already won great renown by saving the lives of several drowning persons, and by enduring...the ordeal of keeping in the water a great many hours or half hours. It was agreed that "Now Then," which is the name of this accomplished animal, should contend in a race with Richard Smith of Sheerness, from London-bridge to Woolwich, for stakes of £25 on each side. Man and dog plunged into the river at half-past three, cheered by a great crowd of spectators, and went down with the stream; they were eagerly watched by thousands of people on the wharves, and aboard the barges and lighters. But Richard Smith, who at first used the side-stroke, and soon afterwards turned upon his chest, was not by any means so good a swimmer as "Now Then;" and the dog had a good lead before reaching the Tower. The man gave up at Limehouse, after swimming four miles in about forty-seven minutes; his gallant four-footed victor was then half a mile ahead. She was allowed to land at Deptford, having been swimming just an hour, and her owner was declared winner of the stakes that she had so fairly earned'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.