1-151-888 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Captain Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, 1875. Captain Webb (1848-1883) set off from Dover on 24 August 1875, arriving in Calais 21 3/4 hours later. He is seen here being handed sustenance from his support boat. Webb was killed trying to swim under Niagara Falls in 1883.