On 24 July 1883, Captain Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, drowned in the Whirlpool Rapids at Niagara River, below the Falls.

To mark the sad day, here are two newspaper stories from July 1883 that report on Webb’s drowning, including a report of Captain Webb’s thoughts on how he would successfully perform the swim.

Chelmsford Chronicle – Friday 27 July 1883

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000225/18830727/017/0004

Nottingham Evening Post – Thursday 26 July 1883

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000321/18830726/009/0002

The Graphic – Saturday 04 August 1883

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000057/18830804/009/0007