Ted Heaton facts for kids
Portrait of Ted Heaton c1910
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Edmund Caunce Nowell Heaton |
| Born | 1872 Liverpool, England |
| Died | 19 September 1937 (aged 64–65) Southport, Lancashire |
| Resting place | Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool |
| Height | 5 feet 9.5 inches (1.765 m) |
| Weight | 13 stone 8 pounds (86 kg; 190 lb) |
| Spouse(s) |
Elizabeth Emery
(m. 1890–1892)Julia Rolling
(m. 1893; ... 1927) |
| Sport | |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Sport | Diving, Swimming |
Edmund Caunce Nowell 'Ted' Heaton (born in late 1872 – died 19 September 1937) was a famous British diver and swimming teacher. He was born in Liverpool, England. He was well-known for his amazing small tank diving shows in the late 1800s. He also tried many times to swim across the English Channel in the early 1900s.
Ted Heaton made seven attempts to swim the Channel. He often got very close to the French coast. His closest try was in August 1909, when he was only 2 miles (3.2 km) away. His swimming efforts helped him get a job. He became a superintendent at his local swimming baths. This job paid him £120 a year and included a place to live.
Heaton joined the army during World War I in 1916. He was a bit too old to join normally. He worked as a sergeant-instructor with the Royal Fusiliers in Dover. He helped train soldiers for war. He was discharged in 1919 because of a health issue. Later, he worked on large passenger ships. He was a swimming pool attendant on ships like the RMS Carinthia.
In the early 1930s, Ted Heaton was a swimming instructor. He created a new way to teach swimming to school students. His system used wood floats and canvas webs. It let many students get into the water at the same time. This idea was even praised by Poland's Director of Education. He died in September 1937 while visiting Southport.
Contents
Early Life and Start in Swimming
Ted Heaton was born in the last part of 1872. His father, Edward Heaton, worked as a book-keeper for Liverpool Docks. Ted first trained to be a printer. He worked as a printer sometimes. But around the 1890s, he became a professional swimmer.
Amazing Dives and Channel Swims
Daring Dives in the 1800s
Ted Heaton's early career involved circus acts and tank diving. In early 1896, he reportedly dived 50 feet (15 m) into a small tank. This tank was only 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) deep. He did this at Ohmy's Grand New Circus in Birkenhead. Heaton said he was the first to do small tank diving. He performed it at many circuses.
In July 1897, another high diver named Tommy Burns died. Heaton helped raise money for Burns' family. He did a charity dive from Rhyl Pier. Over 2,000 people watched him from the pier. Heaton said he even dived with his body in flames.
In January 1898, he made a big dive in Belfast harbour. He jumped from a 50 feet (15 m) high platform. About 15,000 people watched this "sensational dive." The water tank was only 42 inches (1.1 m) deep. The next month, he performed in Lyons, France. He dived from 50 ft while covered in flames. The tank was just 16 feet (4.9 m) by 10 feet (3.0 m). In September 1898, he was a big hit at the Scottish Zoo. He dived 50 feet (15 m) into a small tank. He was "enveloped in flames from a large number of fireworks."
Trying to Swim the English Channel
Sometimes, Heaton combined swimming and diving. In June 1905, he swam 10 miles (16 km). He swam from Eastham to New Brighton. The swim ended with a dive off New Brighton Pier.
During the 1900s, he tried many times to swim the English Channel. He first trained for it in 1893. His first attempt was in July 1905. He started well, swimming the breaststroke. The weather was sunny. He stopped after swallowing oil. He was six miles from shore.
Heaton trained hard for another try in 1907. In late June, he raced a ferryboat. He swam from New Brighton to Egremont. He didn't beat the ferry. But he swam the journey in under 28 minutes. Two months later, he tried to cross the Channel again. He started with Jabez Wolffe. The weather was calm at first. But a thunderstorm later hit. Heaton gave up because he couldn't see the coast. He made a fourth attempt weeks later. He stopped after three hours due to rough water. In August 1909, on his fifth try, he got very close. He was only 1.75 miles (2.82 km) from the French coast. But strong tides made him stop. He had been in the water for over 15 hours.
In September 1910, he tried to swim the Channel again. He got within four miles of France. He was very tired after sixteen hours in the water. He kept swimming even though it was cold. But he became too weak and gave up.
His seventh and final attempt was in August 1911. The sea was warm with a light breeze. Heaton started swimming around 8:20 am. His wife was on the support boat. After about 10 hours, he stopped. He was about 5 miles (8.0 km) from the French coast.
Life Beyond the Pool
Serving in World War I
In late 1914, Heaton joined the Sportsmen's Battalions. He was a few years older than the usual age limit. He wanted to help with the war effort. Around 1916, he became a sergeant-instructor. He worked with the Royal Fusiliers in Dover. He helped prepare soldiers for war. He also served at a prisoner camp in Rajputana, India. He was discharged from the military in December 1919. This was due to a health issue.
Swimming Teacher and Innovator
In August 1905, Heaton became the superintendent of Cornwallis Street baths. He earned a salary of £120 (equivalent to £13,100 in 2019) a year. This job also included a house, coal, and gas. He also worked as a swimming pool attendant. He worked on large passenger ships. He was on the RMS Carinthia from 1928. He returned to Liverpool in mid-1929. He then continued teaching swimming at his baths.
In his later years, he taught swimming to school children. He created a special system for group lessons. It used wood floats and canvas webs. This allowed many students to enter the water at once. They could learn about buoyancy. Before this, only one student could be taught at a time. This new method impressed Poland's Director of Education. Heaton promoted himself as "Liverpool's famous swimming master" in 1932.
Family and Later Years
Ted Heaton was about 5 feet 9.5 inches (1.765 m) tall. He weighed 13 stone 8 pounds (86 kg; 190 lb) when he started training. He first married Elizabeth Emery in May 1890. She passed away soon after. He married Julia Rolling on 4 December 1893. They had two sons, Edmund James Whittaker and Regnialan. They also had a daughter, Ellen. His daughter Ellen won a swimming prize in 1913.
His father, Edward Whittaker Heaton, died in 1915. He was 71 years old. Ted Heaton died on 19 September 1937. He was visiting Southport at the time. He was buried at Allerton Cemetery on 22 September 1937. He was still teaching swimming shortly before he died.
Images for kids
-
Jack Weidman feeding Heaton on his 1910 channel swim
