Matthew Webb

Captain Matthew Webb (19 January 1848 – 24 July 1883) was the first recorded person to swim the English Channel without the use of artificial aids for sport purpose. On 25 August 1875, Webb swam from Dover to Calais in less than 22 hours. Webb attempet to swim the Niagra River on August 24, 1883 but died near the entrance to the whirlpool.