Jabez Wolffe
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.jpg) Jabez Wolffe in 1928 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jacob Abraham Wolffe |
| Born | November 19, 1876 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | October 22, 1943 (aged 66) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Swimming |
Jacob Abraham "Jabez" "Jappy" Wolffe (19 November 1876 – 22 October 1943) was a Scottish long-distance swimmer and author of swimming books. He attempted but failed to swim the English Channel 22 times, between 1906 and 1921. He came closest to success in the September of 1919, with an attempt of 14 hours 55 minutes, from Shakespeare Cliff, Dover, England "to within a quarter of a mile of the French coast".[1][2][3] He is also known for the differing historical accounts of his role as a trainer in the first, failed attempt of Gertrude Ederle to swim the channel.[1]
English Channel cross attempts
Among his attempts to cross the channel was one in August 1907, when he made his swim with Ted Heaton and their efforts gradually turned into "something of a race". While both men failed on that occasion, a primary source noted that it was a "fine struggle almost successful", and that Wolffe came "within three quarters of a mile" of the coast when wind drove him away from the shore.[5][non-primary source needed]
As stated in Wolffe's obituary in The New York Times in 1943,
The nearest he came to attaining his goal was in September of 1919, when he swam from Shakespeare Cliff at Dover to within a quarter of a mile of the French coast in 14 hours 55 minutes.[1]
