Matthew Webb
Seaman and swimmerWikipedia
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11
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Search complete. 12 mentions across 11 episodes found for "Matthew Webb".
Sep 8, 2026
Gráinne MossGUEST
Yeah, so look, the English Channel is a blue-ribboned event of open-water swimming.
Gráinne MossGUEST
So it was first swum in 1875 by a guy called Captain Matthew Webb.
Gráinne MossGUEST
And actually 100 years ago, the first woman swum it, Gertrude Earhart, who's an American, actually had the largest ticker tape parade in New York ever.
Gráinne MossGUEST
Still is the largest ticker tape parade in New York ever.
Rob LondonHOST
This is What Would Brian Bevan Say? I'm Rob London.
Rob LondonHOST
So as we celebrate the 151st anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb setting off from Dover in 1875 to become the first person to swim the English Channel, where are my two doggy paddling podcasters? Firstly, his facts are more regular than the tide.
Rob LondonHOST
Here, no doubt, to flood us with more meaningless statistics, here's Sam Sankey.
Sam SankeyHOST
Hello.
BradHOST
In 1718, hundreds of French colonists arrived in Louisiana, some of them settling in present-day New Orleans.
BradHOST
In 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first to swim across the English Channel from Dover to Calais in 22 hours.
BradHOST
Wow.
BradHOST
In 1916, the National Park Service was established within the Department of Interior.
Scott AllsopHOST
Hello and welcome to HistoryPod.
Scott AllsopHOST
On 25 August 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to successfully swim across the English Channel.
Scott AllsopHOST
Webb learnt to swim in the River Severn near the industrial village of Colebrookdale, near the modern English town of Telford.
Scott AllsopHOST
When he was twelve years old he began training on board the school ship HMS Conway, leading to a career as a sailor on board merchant and passenger vessels.
Scott AllsopHOST
His crossing had seen strong currents regularly move him off course, while a painful jellyfish sting was dealt with by drinking a glass of brandy.
Scott AllsopHOST
Altogether, he had swum 64 kilometres.
Scott AllsopHOST
Matthew Webb's cross-channel swim secured his position as a Victorian celebrity, and he soon found fortune by undertaking other extreme water-based challenges.
Scott AllsopHOST
He died in 1883 during a failed attempt to swim across the Whirlpool Rapids below Niagara Falls.
MaryHOST
We will now read the living section from the Tuesday, August twenty-fifth Journal Gazette, beginning with Today in History.
MaryHOST
In 1875, Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel, crossing from Dover, Del-- England to Calais, France in under twenty-two hours.
MaryHOST
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, establishing the National Park Service as an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior to maintain the country's natural and historic wonders and leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
MaryHOST
In 1928, an expedition led by Richard E. Byrd set sail from Hoboken, New Jersey, on its journey to Antarctica.
Paul FletcherHOST
Mm.
Steve GormanHOST
On this day in 1875, Matthew Webb, a captain in the British Navy, made the first unassisted swim across the English Channel.
Steve GormanHOST
Wow.
Steve GormanHOST
1875- [laughs] ...
speaker_1HOST
Welcome to This Day in History.
speaker_1HOST
It's August 25th, and on this day in 1875, Matthew Webb, a 27-year-old merchant navy captain, became the first known person to swim the English Channel.
speaker_1HOST
Captain Webb completed the grueling 21-mile crossing from Dover, England to near Calais, France in 21 hours and 45 minutes.
speaker_1HOST
He was hailed as a national hero upon his return to England, and a triumphal arch was erected in his honor in his hometown in Shropshire.
Carla CockrumHOST
Okay.
John SpencerHOST
And on this date in 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim the English Channel without artificial assistance.
Carla CockrumHOST
Oh, my gosh.
Carla CockrumHOST
That makes me tired.
Cody JosephHOST
I also have some history here to share with you, Jeff.
Cody JosephHOST
On this date in 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became On this date in 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel.
Cody JosephHOST
He did it in 22 hours without a life jacket.
Cody JosephHOST
All right, and, um,
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