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.