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This advertisement on the front page of the Daily Mail, featured a picture of Mercedes and went on to read: “Miss Mercedes Gleitze carried an “Oyster” throughout her recent Channel Swim. Hours of submersion under the most trying conditions failed to harm its perfect timekeeping. No moisture had penetrated and not the slightest corrosion or condensation was revealed in the subsequent examination of the Watch.”

Mercedes Gleitze was the first person to undertake the Irish Channel in 1928.
Mercedes arrived in North Down where thousands of people turned out to catch a glimpse of her. During the summer of 28 she attempted the North Channel 3 times. Unfortunately she did not succeed in her personal struggle to champion the crossings of all crossings. The news paper reports at this time stated that it could never be crossed.
No one tried again till 1947 when Tom Blower successfully made both shores.

First English girl in 1926 to swim the English Channel.

Unfortunately another swimmer called Sandra Blewett from New Zealand ended with an entry in the book (left). This was after numerous (around 10) unsuccessful attempts in the 1980s

On the 21 July 2000, the BBC filmed for a 40min. documentary of Steve Price making a successful passage from Scotland to Ireland. The premier was first screened at Britain’s oldest cinema, the “Curzon”. Which is Steve’s home town in Clevedon, North Somerset, England. This event was also used to raise money for charity.
The programme was broadcast on BBC2 named “THE CROSSING”

Steve Price (above)

Queen of the English and Irish Channel, the best (and nicest nature) long distance swimmer the world.
Alison Streeter looking at a chart of the North Channel

Tom Blower (above)