Captain Matthew Webb was an English seaman, swimmer and stuntman. He is the first recorded person to swim the English Channel for sport without the use of artificial aids. In 1875, Webb swam from Dover to Calais in less than 22 hours. This made him a celebrity, and he performed many stunts in public. He died trying to swim the Niagara Gorge below Niagara Falls, a feat declared impossible.
Webb in The Illustrated London News, 1883
Caricature of Webb by Ape, published in the London magazine Vanity Fair in 1875
Captain Webb pub, Wellington Road, Wellington
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. The largest of the three is Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the international border of the two countries. It is also known as the Canadian Falls. The smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie within the United States. Bridal Veil Falls is separated from Horseshoe Falls by Goat Island and from American Falls by Luna Island, with both islands situated in New York.
Niagara Falls seen from the Canadian side of the river, including three individual falls (from left to right): American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls.
Canadian Horseshoe Falls at right
Damage from wind and ice on Goat Island, 1903
American and Bridal Falls diverted during erosion control efforts in 1969
