The Collection
Jabez Wolffe and Thomas Stearne, South Foreland, Dover
Photograph
31st August, 1907
William Stearne and Jabez Wolffe on South Foreland beach, Dover,
just before a channel swim attempt. Neither Wolffe or Stearne were
ever successful in their attempts to swim the English Channel.
Jabez Wolffe
Attempts from 1906 to 1913.
Probably the unluckiest Channel swimmer in history, Wolffe made
at least 22 attempts and never succeeded, failing by yards in 1911
and by less than a mile on 3 other occasions. A native of Glasgow
he had lived in London for a number of years and trained at
Brighton for his swims. Like most swimmers he was kept company by
pacemaker swimmers, including his trainers Moses and Kellingley
(who went on to train Mrs Corson).
On the attempt made just after this photograph was taken, Wolffe
was also accompanied by William Stearne. Wolffe was also on
occasion accompanied by Pipe-Major Nicholls who played the bagpipes
to keep Wolffe's stroke rhythm in time at 29 to 32 strokes a
minute. On other times he used a gramophone aboard the pilot boat
for the same ends.
Wolffe went on to coach a number of successful swimmers however,
including Hilda (Laddie) Sharp, Peggy Duncan and Sunny Lowry.
He wrote a book " Swimming Short & Long Distance" published
by Foulsham c. 1937.
William Stearne
Attempts from 1907 to 1911
Made four unsuccessful attempts. His first was with Wolffe and
Heaton who also failed and his second was with Wolffe.