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ENGEnglandSport:SwimmingThomas William ‘Bill’ Burgess was an English swimmer, Olympic competitor and coach, born in Rotherham on 15 June 1872. He settled in Paris and represented the French club Libellule de Paris at the 1900 Olympics while retaining British nationality. His Olympic programme included fourth place in the 4,000 metres freestyle and a bronze medal in water polo.
After years of unsuccessful Channel attempts, Burgess completed the England-to-France crossing on 5–6 September 1911 in 22 hours and 35 minutes. He became the second person to succeed, 36 years after Matthew Webb. He departed from South Foreland and arrived at Le Chatelet, accompanied by the motorboat Elsie and rowing boat Orchid.
Burgess subsequently helped other swimmers prepare for the Channel. His pupils included Gertrude Ederle, whose 1926 crossing made her the first successful woman, and several further pioneers. His contribution therefore extended from his own endurance achievement to the development of later Channel swimmers.
Second successful Channel swimmer · 22 hours 35 minutes
Also recorded as Thomas Burgess, Bill Burgess.
Crossing details, recordings & verificationSolo swim
Tuesday, 5 September 1911 – Wednesday, 6 September 1911
England → France
The witness declaration gives 5–6 September and 22h35m; the museum’s surrounding narrative instead prints 8 September. The date inconsistency remains unresolved.
Elapsed time · 22h 35m
Start clock · 11:15 · Time zone not specified
Finish clock · 09:50 · Time zone not specified
Sources disagree · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Open-water swimming · Race
Sunday, 19 August 1900 (event date)
River Seine, Paris, France
Finished fourth in the final in 1:15:07.6.
Published distance · 4,000 m
Placing / category · 4th — men’s final
Historical account checked · Details and qualifications are in the career evidence.
Open-water swimming · Race
Sunday, 12 August 1900 (event date)
River Seine, Paris, France
Finished fifth in the final in 3:12.0.
Published distance · 200 m
Placing / category · 5th — men’s final
Historical account checked · Details and qualifications are in the career evidence.
1900
Fourth in the 4,000m freestyle and bronze in water polo with Libellule de Paris.
1904–1911
Repeated unsuccessful attempts preceded his successful crossing; historical sources differ on the total number.
5–6 September 1911
South Foreland to Le Chatelet in 22 hours 35 minutes.
1926
Helped prepare Ederle for the first successful Channel crossing by a woman.
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First recorded finish
1 more finish needed
0 of 1 recorded
Selected swimming performances appear in the English Channel record above.
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