Horace Davenport

April 29, 1850 (age 74)

London, United Kingdom

In 1881, he also swam the Niagara River below Niagara Falls. He swam at University College School, and also competed in rowing after leaving school. His 1877 mile time of 29 minutes 25 seconds stood as a record for a number of years. In 1884 he swam a round trip from Southsea to Ryde in 5 hours and 25 minutes. He also served multiple times as captain of the Ilex swimming club He became president of the Swimming Association of Great Britain (now the Amateur Swimming Association) in 1880, serving through 1883, and 1890 through 1894. Davenport was known for using a single-overarm stroke well-suited for long distance swims, as well as the side-stroke. As of 2013, three trophies offered by the A.S.A. remain in the name of Davenport, including for the 400 metre men"s freestyle, 1,500 metre men"s freestyle, and 100 metre girl"s breastroke.

Horace Davenport

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swimmer

Background

Davenport was born in London in 1850 to Cecilia and John Thistlewood Davenport.

Career

In 1881, he also swam the Niagara River below Niagara Falls. He swam at University College School, and also competed in rowing after leaving school. His 1877 mile time of 29 minutes 25 seconds stood as a record for a number of years.

In 1884 he swam a round trip from Southsea to Ryde in 5 hours and 25 minutes.

He also served multiple times as captain of the Ilex swimming club He became president of the Swimming Association of Great Britain (now the Amateur Swimming Association) in 1880, serving through 1883, and 1890 through 1894.

Davenport was known for using a single-overarm stroke well-suited for long distance swims, as well as the side-stroke. As of 2013, three trophies offered by the A.S.A. remain in the name of Davenport, including for the 400 metre men"s freestyle, 1,500 metre men"s freestyle, and 100 metre girl"s breastroke.

Achievements

In 1874 he won the mile Amateur Championship swim, and successfully defended his title through 1879. He also won the amateur long distance championship (a five to six mile race) in 1877, 1878, 1879. He also competed in the plunge for distance and won competitions in that event in the 1870s and 1880s, including the 1884, 1885, and 1886 English Plunging Championships, and was also known for plunging feet first.

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