English Channel swim by John Starrett

Additional swim information:
From the New York Times, 5 August 1964:

Handicapped American Swims English Channel

DOVER, England, Aug. 4 (Reuters) - A partly paralyzed American landed on a deserted beach near here to­day after swimming the English Channel.

John Starrett, a 39-year-old game warden from Natick, Mass., completed the 22 mile crossing in 12 hours and 45 minutes.

"This is the proudest day of my life," he said.

Mr. Starrett, who was sponsored by the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation of America, said he found the conditions excellent, but was troubled by jellyfish. One stung him.

"When I first thought of the channel swim I feared friends would laugh at me," he said. "But I received encouragement from thousands and today I knew they were all rooting for me while I swam."

"I hope my success will give encouragement to anyone else who suffers from an affliction," he said.

Mr. Starrett, a spastic, can walk only with a cane.