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An antique ring in incredible condition and designed as snake with ruby set eyes wrapped around your finger. All set in 18ct Yellow Gold. Hallmarked 1875. Size P1/2. 9.1 grams.
This lovely ring is just one of the gorgeous rings in our second hand
jewellery collection.
Captain Matthew Webb (19 January 1848-24 July 1883) was the first person to swim the English Channel without the use of artificial aids. On 25 August 1875 he swam from Dover to Calais in less than 22 hours.
English
Channel swimming record
In 1873 Webb was serving as captain of the steamship Emerald when he read an account of the failed attempt by J. B. Johnson to swim the English Channel. He became inspired to try himself, and left his job to
begin
training, first at Lambeth Baths, then in the cold waters of the Thames and the English Channel.
On 12 August 1875 he made his first cross-Channel swimming attempt, but strong winds and poor sea conditions forced him to abandon the
swim.
On
24 August 1875 he began a second swim by diving in from the Admiralty Pier at Dover. Backed by three chase boats and smeared in porpoise oil, he set off into the ebb tide at a steady breaststroke. Despite stings from jellyfish and
strong currents off
Cap Gris Nez which prevented him reaching the shore for five hours, finally, after 21 hours and 45 minutes, he landed near Calais-the first successful cross-channel swim. His zig-zag course across the Channel was over 39 miles
(64 km) long.
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14427
An antique Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring. dated 1875 Victorian
price: £1,050.00 |
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