Conquering the English Channel

Conquering the English Channel By Claude C. Cornwall MORE than fifty years ago adventurous swimmers tried their skill and endurance at the objective of swimming the Eng- lish Channel. The first woman to win honors at this arduous task was Miss Gertrude Ederle, who, in 1926, used a crawl stroke and succeeded in crossing from Calais to Dover in a little more than fourteen and a half hours. In the same year Mrs. Mille Gade Corson, mother of two children, swam the long distance in fifteen hours and twenty-eight minutes. It was my happy privilege to meet the Corson family, to play cage ball with the youngsters and to become rather intimately acquainted with this now famous swimming authority. Mr. Corson demonstrated his fondness for, and ability at, sports by winning the Leviathan Mid-Atlantic cham- pionship in deck golf. This is a happy, genial family group. Several years ago Mrs. Corson determined that she would at- tempt the channel, and commenced her strenuous training for the big day. Her practice was done consistently, swimming in the ocean waters on the eastern coast and improving her strokes and technique in the pools of New England. On the way back from England, she kindly gave us a demonstration in the Leviathan pool, which was both interesting and educational, and it fell to my lot to be official announcer. "Captain Webb was the first swimmer to conquer the channel, way back in 1875. He used the breast stroke and required nearly 22 hours for the journey from England to France, via the shark route," I announced. Mrs. Corson then swam two lengths of the pool, showing the breast stroke. "This same Captain Webb later lost his life in an attempt to swim the Niagara Falls. Then, in 1911, J. W. Burgess conquered the channel with a side stroke. His time was an hour longer than Captain Webb's," I announced. Mrs. Corson then showed the side stroke as it was used by Mr. Burgess. Then followed a demonstration of the trudgen, the modern stroke used by our speedy long-distance swimmers of the present time. I asked her to show us the rate of speed at which she crossed the channel, and she swam with a steady, beautiful stroke, as even and graceful as a navy cruiser.

CONQUERING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL 489 "Just keep this going for fifteen hours and twenty-eight min- utes and you will be across the channel," said the announcer. We were then shown how to eat while treading water. I handed Mrs. Corson a cup and a cracker and she balanced herself, ate the cracker and drank from the cup. "Now, when I was training to swim the channel," said the announcer, "I used the dog paddle." Mrs. Mille Gade Corson and her family posed atop of a giant Cage Ball on the Leviathan's sun deck. Just after this picture was taken Mrs. Corson went to the swimming pool and demonstrated the strokes she used in conquering the English Channel. And Mrs. Corson showed the stroke familiar to most beginners: then the "crab," the "porpoise," "sea lion," and "somersault." Several hundred guests were thrilled by this perfect performance of an accomplished artist. After crossing the channel by boat more than fifty times. I began to appreciate the severe test which is placed upon a swimmer who faces conditions of cold water, fog and rough waves, for thirty- one miles. Mrs. Corson's perfect preparation enabled her to finish in excellent physical condition. She said that toward the end she was about to give up, when she thought of how many dishes she would have to wash if she didn't make it. and that spurred her on to a final triumph.

490 IMPROVEMENT ERA Day after day, on the deck, I had opportunity to visit with the Corsons. I would give the children some blocks or toys and start them at a game and then would talk with Mrs. Corson about her life's work, her ideals and plans for the future. She enjoyed most to talk about the children, their education, their bringing up. We would be interrupted occasionally (patiently always) to answer the questions of the youngsters or to help the game go on. Mrs. Corson believes that all young women should be encouraged to develop themselves physically with the objective only of attaining good health, proper posture and physical fitness. She does not be- lieve in the exploitation of women in athletic sports, but rather that charm, intelligence and a devotion to home and family life are qualities mostly to be desired. The Dawning Early in the morning, before folks are awake. When the birds begin to twitter and the dawn begins to break. Leave your tempting blankets, and an early vigil keep, To watch the world come back again from the shadow-land of sleep. First the stars grow dimmer, then one by one they fade, And in the east 'tis lighter by just a single shade. Along the rugged mountain-top, a living fringe of trees. And just along this ragged line — notice, if you please — Close to the trees and rugged rocks, a strip of light is curled. A narrow rim of yellow light, just on the edge of the world. And as you view this narrow rim, in the darkness of the night. You know the sun is shining there, just beyond your sight. The gospel, like this light, now shines upon a sleeping world. And those who early rise may watch while glories are unfurled. Perhaps they'll see the stars of earth grow dimmer one by one, Perhaps life's ragged edge they'll see, clear-cut against the sun. At first 'tis but a little light, against the darkness thrown, Along the ragged rim of life, a ray of promise shown, But when, through darkness, you can see this ray of living light, You know that glory shineth there, just beyond your sight. M. J. HILL