Original subtitles

The sea is calming.

Its ebbs and flows beckon me to return to its embrace.

The winds and tides whisper my name.

As they draw ever nearer.

But do not fear the water, Mercedes.

My daughter, my child.

Do not fear to lose sight of the shore,

for I will wait for you...

on the other side of the dark waters.

Let them carry you, Mercedes.

Let the waves draw you home.

You're a cheat!

Liar! You didn't finish!

You're a fraud and you know it!

You're a cheat!

You're a fraud and you know it!

Liar!

Come on, Miss Gleitze, tell us the truth.

Liar! You didn't finish! Cheat!

You're a liar!

Fraud! Cheat!

Champion Miss Gertrude Ederle today made history.

Becoming the first ever lady to conquer the English Channel.

Following an intensive training regime in her native New Jersey,

the American entered the chilly waters of

Cap Gris-Nez early Saturday morning

and for the next fourteen hours and thirty one minutes

battled against the waves...

filled with enough grit and determination

to see her through to Dover.

While the Americans Revel in the glory

of their new Queen of the Waves...

news of her victory will surely come as a blow

to Britain's female Channel hopefuls.

Come in.

I finished the shipping report you asked for.

Leave it on the desk.

Is that all?

Yes, that's all.

Dear Sir Arthur,

I understand that you are looking to sponsor a

British woman in an English Channel swim...

now that we've been beaten by the Americans in our own backyard.

No doubt, you are aware that I was so very close to becoming

the first ever woman to complete the feat...

in my seventh attempt last year.

I would have tried again that summer

if I'd had the funds to do so.

Still, this time has given me the ability to rebuild my stamina

at the Holborn Baths, where I train each evening without fail,

around my work as a stenographer.

It is dull work, poorly paid

and I cannot slake my desire for the Channel.

With each tap of the key, I hear the splash of the sea.

Every waking hour, I dream of the water.

For what once compelled me as a girl,

now consumes me as a woman.

Despite the loss to Gertrude Ederle this summer...

I remain firm and resolute in mindset.

To become the first British woman to swim the English Channel...

would be for me, the greatest honor.

Yours faithfully,

Mercedes Gleitze.

Excuse me, Madam. Miss Gleitze?

Yes?

Thank you.

Wait here, please.

And I'll fetch you once they're ready.

Yes, of course. Right away, Sir.

Gade's medical results, Sir. Requires your signature.

Sir Arthur Coleridge?

Yes, my dear?

Apologies for the intrusion, I am Mercedes Gleitze.

I have been corresponding with you in regards to a Channel swim.

I frankly can't understand why I'm not even being considered.

In your letter of rejection, you failed to acknowledge

any of my achievements.

So I've come here to ask you, what more can I possibly do?

Look, my dear...

Sponsorship for such a swim cannot be granted on a whim

to any lady who comes looking.

There are certain attributes, which must be considered.

Such as?

Well, you see the association have already selected their sponsee.

A fine lady by the name of Mrs. Edith Gade.

In fact, she resigned her post as a doctor

at King's College Hospital in order

to take up our sponsorship offer.

There is also the issue of your name.

You see, Miss Gleitze...

For a woman of your circumstances,

it would be neither suitable nor appropriate

for us to sponsor you at this time.

If only they knew how much you loved this country.

I knew her, you know...

Edith Gade.

She was on my staff at Rouyumont during the war.

Only lasted three months before she was struck off the register.

And how she was re-admitted to King's College, God only knows.

Now breathe in for me.

And exhale.

Breathe in.

And exhale.

You're back to fighting fit.

Ever considered changing the name

to something more anglicised?

No. I shouldn't need to.

I was born here for heaven's sake.

Look, there is an old client of mine...

Mr. Harold Best.

Harold Best.

Didn't he swim the Channel?

He did. He dropped off the map after the war.

But I feel you might be able to

coax him out of his self-imposed exile.

Mr. Best?

Hello?

Mr. Best!

What's the nature of your calling?

I'm looking for Mr. Best.

I know that. What for?

I'm told he might be able to train me.

Well, he ain't here.

But if you're hell bent, you might try The Volunteer.

Thank you.

I'm looking for Mr. Best.

I'm told I might find him here.

You mean old Harold Best?

That's him, over in the corner.

Thank you.

♪ Farewell And adieu, to you fair Spanish Ladies ♪

♪ Farewell and adieu to You ladies of Spain ♪

♪ For I've received orders for To sail for old England, ♪

♪ And so nevermore, will I see you again ♪

Mr. Best?

We've not been previously acquainted.

No.

My name is Mercedes Gleitze.

I'm a swimmer and I'm told you might train me.

I don't train anymore.

Especially not girls.

Well, I can assure you, I will make it worth your while.

I intend to do anything--

I do not train girls!

Now, see you.

Fine. In your current state

you could hardly teach a fish to swim, let alone a girl.

Good day, Mr. Best.

Your pronouncements will someday land you

in a whole heap of bother!

If they've not done so already.

We'll rant and we'll roar...

like true British sailors.

We'll rant and we'll roar...

all o'er the salt sea.

Until we find landings...

in the Channel of of old England.

From Ushant to Scilly...

is thirty-five leagues!

It's so risqué.

That's what I thought, they really reveal all.

-Shows everything. -That's right.

Very naughty.

Yeah. Sure.

It's just not proper that she

wants was a strip off and dive into that godawful water.

Well, it's down right dangerous.

She ought to go back to being a real woman.

Maybe she can't. My doctor says it can unsex

a woman, all that physical strain on the body.

It's obscene.

Ah Miss Gleitze.

I understand you speak German and can write in shorthand.

Is that correct?

Yes. I'm fluent in German.

And somewhat with the stenography.

Good, in that case I shall need you to work late tomorrow night.

Is that alright?

Yes. Yes, that should be fine.

Excellent. See you then.

How long have you been with us now, Miss Gleitze?

Just shy of two years, I believe.

Two years. Really?

I don't smoke. Thank you.

And you live alone I believe?

Yes, I do.

Such a pity.

It really would be a tragedy if a beautiful girl

like you were to be left on the shelf, as it were.

I must confess, many a day I've seen you here

and given thought to stealing a kiss myself...

if it's not too bold to say.

It's Mercedes, isn't it?

It's Miss Gleitze! And that is too bold.

You have a sharp tongue.

You know, I've had a lot of girls working for me in here.

They come and they go.

But the ones who do best in this company...

tend to adopt a more...

friendly attitude.

I suggest you go away and think about that...

Miss Gleitze.

Well go on, that'll be all.

What's the verdict?

Well the wind's kicking up about twelve knots.

She looks gentle here, but when we're clear of that harbor wall...

you'll feel her gusting true enough.

And she's meant to pick up throughout the day too.

But you can never tell with the sea.

Can she make the swim?

She'll be fine,

so long as this northerly don't shift to a sou-souwest.

With that, she'll be competing against time and tide.

She's taken us about four miles off course.

Well keep us steady damn it!

We should turn around, try again come August.

We are not turning back. This weather'll pass by sundown.

She'll never make it!

She has to try! Now keep us steady.

A strong southwesterly has blown in,

which matched with the ebb tide

is pulling us dangerously close to the shoals off Goodwin Sands.

However, despite conditions enough to deter even the most steadfast sailor...

Miss Gleitze's spirits remain high as she beats on

relentlessly against the current.

5:00 PM and we're still to clear halfway.

I'm told by the oarsman that we've

missed the tide which will add

another six hours onto the swim.

Are you sure you want to carry on with all this?

The night'll soon be upon us and we're still nine miles from shore.

There's no shame in quitting.

No!

I'm not quitting.

Not now.

I've got to make it. I've got to.

Get her out! Quick!

What is it?!

It's my shoulder!

And you really think you've got a chance

at swimming the Channel?

I'll have you know, I'm not some bored housewife who

one Sunday decided she wanted to attempt a Channel swim.

I'm deadly serious.

Hell bent, you might say.

Well, let's see you take to the water then.

Alright.

So, what changed your mind?

You remind me of someone that I knew...

a long time ago.

May I ask who?

No you may not.

I know you said that money is tight.

It's not why I'm doing it.

You can pay me back out of your winnings.

I want it understood...

you may think that you got close last time.

Cold, extreme fatigue,

it's bested the strongest of men.

Well, thank God I'm a woman.

Amateur Swimming Association sponsee, Mrs. Edith Gade,

was seen here at a fundraising ball held in her honour.

An English Rose with a smile to mesmerize the nation

the slender swimmer was joined by association president, Sir Arthur Coleridge.

Who relayed his confidence and spoke of his desire to help

raise the prestige of Britain's lady Channel swimmers.

The battle between Britain's bathing beauties entered a new stage today

with Mrs. Edith Gade's arrival in Dover

alongside husband and trainer Mr. Samuel Huntington

ahead of rival swimmer, Miss Gleitze.

When asked if she felt any reluctance in competing against

seven-time attemptee, Miss Gleitze...

Gade simply replied, may the best woman win.

Thank you.

Come in.

My resignation.

You can't quit.

You have no husband. Besides your employment here you have nothing.

What on Earth do you intend to do?

I'm going to swim the Channel.

Good day.

Got us two seats. Third class only I'm afraid.

Waved off from St. Pancras Station,

Miss Gleitze today departed from London bound for the Dover coast

in preparation for what will be her eighth attempt at a Channel swim.

Accompanying the pretty young typist, trainer Harold Best

who swam the Channel himself in 1911 and was for a time

lauded as Britain's finest swimmer since Captain Webb.

What many a superstitious mariner made mistake for a mermaid...

the swimming beauty seen in Folkestone harbour is in-fact Miss Gleitze

sticking to her rigorous training regime

and showing no fear of submerging beneath the chilly harbor waters.

Although with Miss Gleitze going head to head

with Mrs. Gade in the race for the Channel

it certainly doesn't appear as if

it will be any cooler in the water this summer.

Miss Gleitze?

Can I help you?

My name is Mr. Havers...

And I've been sent to deliver this to you.

Courtesy of Mr. Huntington.

He hopes you find it satisfactory compensation

and politely requests you return to London

at your earliest connivence.

- And why would I want to do that?

Well, I think you'll find Mr. Huntington has been extremely generous...

in his offer.

I'll wager the amount far exceeds that which

someone such as yourself would usually be akin to.

Someone such as myself?

In this country, Miss Gleitze, an unmarried woman

at your age raises suspicion.

And and five years cavorting around in a one piece

has done nothing to dispel that.

Isn't it best you step aside now

and avoid further humiliation, losing to Mrs. Gade.

Well perhaps even if you're averse to finding a husband, the money

can at least afford you a sense of propriety.

Well...

Mr. Havers, when he put it like that...

it does make an awful lot of sense.

Despite being new to the sport, I'm sure Mrs. Gade's integrity

alone will see her across the finish line.

Should you need I could escort you to the railway station tomorrow morning?

That won't be necessary.

As you wish.

Perhaps you could give me the name of Mr. Huntington's hotel?

I should like to write him personally, to thank him for his generosity.

The Seabrook Hotel.

Samuel Huntington, I presume?

May I help you?

I believe this belongs to you.

You might have been able to buy the ASA, but you can't buy me.

First to the finish then, Miss Gleitze.

A fitting farewell at Dover harbour today

as Miss Mercedes Gleitze sets off to France

to undertake her eighth attempt at the Channel.

Following the havoc wreaked upon the swimming season by the tempestuous weather...

Miss Gleitze will attempt to swim back in the direction of England,

hoping to beat the southwesterly winds.

Undaunted by the prospect of making a swim so late in the season...

the gamble may well land victory for the plucky former typist

as news comes of Mrs. Gade's departure from the race,

in response to this summer's storms.

Hello.

My friend.

This is Mercedes, introduce yourselves.

Conditions tomorrow should be nigh on perfect.

Sou-by-souwesterly blowing.

Deep tide to boot.

Should be flat as a mill pond.

What if I didn't make it?

Oh, I'll wager you can arrive at a thousand reasons why you won't.

All you have to do is hang on to the one that says you can.

It's only there, you know.

Just beyond the horizon.

For hour after hour, you'll be kicking away at the ocean...

then you reach that point...

raise your head out of the water...

and you see it.

See what?

White cliffs.

That's when you know you've made it.

Why did you stop swimming?

I mean, you had it all, you were the best swimmer in the world.

And then you just, left it all behind.

The sea gave me everything.

And then it took it all away.

My son...

joined the Navy, as he came of age.

Served as signalman aboard SS Mendi.

Twenty first of February, 1917.

She was struck by a merchant vessel off St. Catherine's point.

Went down in eight minutes.

And my boy went down with her.

My wife, Margaret...

couldn't take the pain.

Loss of her only son.

The ordeal took her mind.

And then, took her life.

I wanted to thank you.

For everything.

This...

it's all I've got

Twenty-five fathoms.

We're falling behind.

Here.

How's the tide?

She's pulling like a bastard.

Can anyone lay eyes on the swimmer?

Can't spot her for all this glare.

Here.

There she is. Two o'clock off the starboard bow.

Steamer! Headed straight for us.

Quickly boy! Go on!

Watch for the ship!

Watch for the ship!

Watch for the ship!

Faster! Catch her. Catch her.

Come on! Quickly! Swim!

Mercedes!

There's a boat dead ahead. Take it slowly.

Mercedes!

God almighty! Hard to starboard!

- Come on Mercedes! Come! Come!

Hold fast and watch for the wake.

Ah! Ah! I've been stung!

Stay calm!

Stay calm and swim clear.

Ahoy!

Hey! What is our position?

You're approaching the English coast. About three miles.

Thank you, sir.

Good luck to you!

She's made it!

She's done it!

She's done it!

You made it!

Come on this way, up the shore.

Come on.

Miss Mercedes Gleitze, the pretty young typist...

today claimed victory over the English Channel

on what was her eighth attempt at navigating

the water between Calais and Dover.

Touching down on St. Margaret's Bay

at ten minutes past six in the evening...

the plucky swimmer spent a gruelling fifteen hours

and fifteen minutes at sea...

battling strong currents and jellyfish stings

as she made her way across the world's busiest shipping lane.

Having proved herself to be a swimmer worth her salt...

Miss Gleitze will go down in history

as the first British woman to ever swim the English Channel.

The Home Secretary today met with

Miss Mercedes Gleitze at his offices in Whitehall.

The swimmer pledged support for his equal franchise bill...

which would bring about equal voting rights for women nationwide

and lower the female voting age from thirty to twenty-one.

Good evening, Miss Gleitz.

Thank you.

A strange prospect for you Miss Gleitze,

having your voice transmitted by wireless into the home

of every man in the country.

Yes, it is a little strange.

I find it's rather like the white cliffs.

You know they're there but you can't quite see them all the same.

Yes, indeed. Now tell us if you will...

what was it exactly that led you to

decide to swim the English Channel?

I suppose it's the lure of the water.

We are all drawn to the sea.

It harks back to the first days of human exploration.

That sense of not knowing what lies beyond

but a yearning to find out nonetheless.

Ever since I was a girl, I've had a longing for the water.

To swim for me is like...

nothing else in the world.

I understand the water.

Its movements.

Its rhythm.

And sometimes I fancy it understands me too.

Having traded pebbles for pearls,

Channel swimmer Mercedes Gleitze was seen sporting

an elegance contrary to her usual swimming attire...

at the London premiere of the new Bebe Daniels motion-picture

"Swim Girl, Swim."

Miss Gleitze was welcomed as a special guest onto the red carpet

of the romantic comedy picture

about two ladies involved in the world of Channel swimming...

featuring a cameo appearance from fellow Channel champion, Miss Gertrude Ederle.

The beautiful starlet, Miss Bebe Daniels! Nice trip across the pond Miss Daniels?

Well, it's lovely to be back in London.

And it's lovely to see so many of you turn out tonight for the movie.

Hello?

Err, there has been a development.

Mrs. Edith Gade splashed onto the sands

of St. Margaret's Bay at low tide this morning

following the shock completion of an English Channel swim.

Believed to have withdrawn from the race,

Gade's spontaneous appearance has rocked the boat of the swimming world.

In a record time of thirteen hours and ten minutes,

the slender swimmer triumphed over temperatures well below that which

any normal body, male or female,

could feasibly endure for any prolonged period.

Her swim too comes just a short comes just a short while after fellow

lady swimmer, Miss Mercedes Gleitze,

also completed a crossing in October.

When asked on the shore about how her victory felt,

Mrs. Gade simply replied; "Tiring."

But went on to thank her team and added...

" But I suppose it goes to show that

indeed anyone can swim the English Channel."

I don't see this should affect anything much.

You're still the first English woman to swim it?

Beat your time true enough, but doesn't affect anything much.

The fact remains, you swam it first.

I fail to see how she can jeopardize that inform.

I can assure you.

That woman is not to be trusted.

Ladies and gentleman.

It is my great pleasure to bring to you a pair

of ladies who need no introduction.

- But I shall give them one regardless.

It was said that for a woman to swim the Channel,

it was an impossible feat.

Now this summer of twenty-seven, we've seen not one,

but two homegrown ladies conquer the sea.

Cheers.

Thank you.

One of whom, now holds the record as the fastest ever

Channel swimmer at a time of thirteen hours and ten minutes.

And the other,

an equally impressive fifteen hours and fifteen minutes.

So without further ado, will this evening's honorable guests,

please put their hands together in vigorous applause...

For Miss...

Mercedes Gleitze!

And Mrs...

Edith Gade!

Have a wonderful evening and enjoy the band.

Gentlemen, ladies, I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me.

There is something I must attend to.

Well, Mercedes, nice to put a face to the name.

A far cry from the pretty young typist.

Who'd have thought a girl from such humble beginnings

would achieve such sporting success.

Well, surely one's background is of little consequence.

You yourself said that anyone can swim the Channel.

Said to the press.

So you do not believe it then?

Well, I haven't really paid it any thought.

Why do you ask?

I suppose I just find it odd...

that you would make such a profound claim to the press.

and then not actually believe in it.

Well perhaps I do believe in it.

Well, do you?

I suppose that yes, theoretically anyone can swim the Channel.

Don't you agree, Miss Gleitze?

No.

It takes a great deal more than a theoretical belief

in swimming the Channel to make it in practice.

I mean, how can you theoretically account for the cold?

The tide.

Surely it's of little consequence.

The swim was made, and as far as I'm concerned,

that's all that matters.

Perhaps.

Well, fifteen hours at sea is ample time for thinking.

You certainly seem to have an opinion on most things.

And acquired a new taste for champagne, I see.

Touché.

But then again, I can hardly hold a candle to your drinking abilities.

What do you mean?

I was just surprised seeing you drinking champagne so effortlessly.

Immediately after swimming for thirteen hours and ten minutes.

- Oh, I see. - And not a shiver in sight.

I'm sorry?

Your hands.

They didn't tremble at all when you took the glass.

It was quite remarkable.

Especially when I could hardly hold up my own head.

My, my head is spinning with all this chatter.

I-- I must be excused. I need to go and powder my nose.

My apologies. I didn't mean to cause discomfort.

You did only complete the swim a couple of days ago, and I applaud your efforts.

I really do.

Fastest woman in the world.

You're too kind, really. Enjoy the rest of your night.

Samuel, darling.

Why did you do that?

She found a way to get under your skin true enough.

But to take the bait!

You saw the picture show.

She strode up the beach as if she just been for a paddle.

No sooner has she left the water, she's there swooning

around with no sign of fatigue whatsoever.

You know there's rationale to what I'm saying.

Even if you are hypothetically right

and she didn't actually make the full swim...

for you, a fellow swimmer, to come forward and make such an accusation.

Well don't you see, it's suicide!

D'you know how people will look at you?

Well I imagine, not so different from the way they perceive me now!

I'm paraded out, plastered on advertisements.

And don't go thinking that's purely on account of my talents in the water.

When you signed up to swim the Channel

you knew exactly what it would entail.

I signed up to be a swimmer not a pin-up girl, Harold!

Oh please.

Please, don't pretend that you're agin all the fame that this has given you!

Pull over, please.

What are you doing?

It's a nice evening. I think I shall walk.

Thank you very much.

Allegations have emerged casting doubt on the plausibility

of the Channel attempt undertaken by Mrs. Edith Gade.

The ostensible swim came under scrutiny following

revelations by photographer, Mr. PJ Templeton

who came forward alleging he was offered a substantial

financial sum by Mrs. Gade's husband

in return for forged pictures documenting various stages of the swim.

I was offered four hundred pounds to photograph Mrs. Gade

in the water just off shore

and accompany them by boat across the Channel

where upon her return to the water,

I would take pictures of her arrival in Dover.

Also placed under scrutiny in light of the hoax...

is Amateur Swimming Association president, Sir Arthur Coleridge...

who championed Mrs. Gade and

through the Association, was her official sponsor.

However, the panel later found Sir Arthur to be absolved

of conspiracy in connection to the Gade case.

In what has been termed the hoax of the century,

Mrs. Gade and her husband were fined one-hundred pounds each

for swearing to a false affidavit.

I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to the British public...

whom I have deceived.

And the Amateur Swimming Association, whose good name I have tarnished

in my unfounded and wholly fabricated claims of a successful Channel swim.

But let it be stated here, on record, that what I sought to prove through my hoax...

was that indeed anyone can claim a Channel swim,

regardless of whether such an endeavour was completed.

Once again, I apologies most sincerely for my actions...

and shall resign myself from the world of open water swimming.

- You're a liar! Cheat!

Fraud!

They're having you appear before the tribunal.

We'll both have to testify, in order to prove and confirm that

you did indeed complete the swim.

I don't understand.

They're worried that you

also fabricated particulars of your swim.

In their eyes, they've caught her, so another woman swimmer claiming the same feat...

mere weeks prior,

will arouse suspicion.

The association has a reputation to uphold.

They've already adopted a new constitution in response

to all this.

They can't do this.

Don't worry. We'll go in there together and

protest your innocence.

Now...

you need to get some rest.

Alright.

And Harold...

thank you.

Good night.

Now remember...

speak only when spoken to.

And do try to keep your head.

The panel will look disfavourably upon a woman who speaks out.

That's just the nature of it, I'm afraid.

- Miss Gleitze! - Liar!

Mercedes, tell us the truth!

The Channel Swimming Association will begin

deliberation today on the case of Miss Gleitze...

attesting to the legitimacy of her English Channel swim.

The former typist was cross-examined by the panel

along with trainer Harold Best.

The integrity of Miss Gleitze was thrown into doubt as the panel

probed into her previous failed attempts at the crossing.

Dr. H.W. Phillips, Miss Gleitze's longtime physician

who was president on all eight swims

was brought forward to provide his medical

documents as evidence in the case.

The purpose of this hearing shall be to examine.

It is the prerogative of the panel to examine that which is brought before us...

and to arrive at a solid judgment.

Indeed, madam...

was there even a registered member of the CSA aboard the

pilot vessel for the duration of the swim?

No.

There was not.

And was an official present either the stepping off into

the water at Cap Gris-Nez or at the completion in Dover?

No.

Well this appears to be a complete violation of CSA rules...

and strong grounds for the revocation of Miss Gleitze's record.

Mr. Chairman! Would you be so kind as to note

that my learned friend has made

a number of inaccurate assumptions...

in his pronouncements and owing to his uncertainty in these matters...

what he has said ought to be struck from the record!

Sit down!

Please, Mr. Best.

On what grounds might his suppositions constitute such action.

Well, in fact...

at the time of Miss Gleitze's swim...

the official regulations of the CSA had not yet come into effect.

So the swim was in fact completed within the bounds

of legality for the time at which it took place.

Very well.

But the fact still remains, there is an innate lack of hard evidence...

They're going to invalidate the swim.

Take my title.

It doesn't matter what they call you.

What matters is what you do.

That's the problem.

They don't believe I did it.

Then make them believe.

But you don't understand...

I can't.

I don't see you've got a choice.

Harold?

Mercedes...

Is that you?

Edith, why are you calling me?

What more could you possibly want from me?

I called to tell you that what I did

had nothing to do with you.

I'll never understand why you did this.

When you know full well, I did

swim the Channel.

I know you did.

But they'll never believe you.

I'm sorry, Mercedes.

Seems to me...

you've got two choices:

One, you can...

change your name...

move to the country...

and ne'er speak of swimming again.

Or two...

you can face those bastards head-on.

Show them what you know to be true...

that you...

can swim the English Channel.

Miss Gleitze has a statement she has prepared.

Now...

I understand your concern.

Perhaps more so than my coach.

I am of the opinion...

that to continue further would be futile.

And therefore I will no longer seek to protest

my case before this tribunal.

Instead...

I shall vindicate myself through the undertaking of another swim.

And if I succeed...

I want it stated, here, now...

that my title as first English woman to swim the Channel shall remain standing.

Order! Order!

Very well, but on your head be it Miss Gleitze.

To great fanfare Mercedes Gleitze sets out on her vindication swim...

to restore the prestige of Britain's lady Channel

swimmers in the eyes of the world.

My conscience is clear but I want to repeat my performance

in front of all the witnesses I can.

Having done it once, I am determined to swim it again.

The plucky words of Miss Gleitze as she

prepares to once again conquer the English Channel.

From the outset the swim was beset by difficulty...

with near all witness vessels forced to turn

back with the onset of inclement weather.

The band set to serenade with Miss Gleitze on her crossing

were overcome by a strong bout of seasickness...

and forced to abandon their accompaniment.

Prior to setting out there was fierce debate among the seafaring community

as to whether a woman could survive a swim so late in the year

following sightings of herrings off Deal

which signals the arrival of cold North Sea water.

However, trainer Harold Best stood firm

and relayed his confidence in Miss Gleitze, asserting

she possesses powers of endurance as I have never seen in the strongest of men.

Miss Gleitze, I have brought you here today

because I have a proposal that I believe may be of interest to you.

The ASA...

being as they are, is unwilling to fund a Channel swim in October.

However, I believe I can still be of assistance to you.

I am willing to cover the cost of the swim...

personally.

I was a fool not to take you on when I had the chance.

Here, have some grapes.

How long have I been going?

You're at four hours, twenty-six minutes in the water.

Come on girl.

I'm going to have to take it off.

It's chaffing.

Fine, you can do that.

But it'll have to go back on again in an hour.

I'm gonna put a stop to this.

It's gone on for far too long.

I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to terminate the swim.

The conditions are simply too cold.

How far are we from shore?

About six miles.

That's a lot of open water.

It is a lot of water. She moves too slowly.

If she continues to be exposed to these temperatures,

she'll more than likely develop hypothermia.

If she's not done so already.

Give her more time, she's used to these conditions.

She won't be able to withstand this cold much longer.

As the team's medical officer, I demand we terminate the swim!

We need to get her out.

She has to be brought back into the boat now.

There's no time to lose!

I can see them.

I can see them!

Wait!

I can see them.

I can see them!

What is it?

That's it. I'm putting a stop to this.

She needs to be taken out of the water now!

Mercedes stop!

Stop!

Mercedes stop!

Hurry, boy! Hurry!

Hurry!

Stop now!

Stop, Mercedes! Stop!

Someone cast a line.

Line!

Take the line!

Take the line! Mercedes!

Come back!

Mercedes!

Mercedes, come to the boat!

Swim over!

Mercedes! Come back Mercedes! Come to the boat!

Faster! Catch her up!

Mercedes, you must stop!

Mercedes come to the boat! Come to the boat now!

Come on! Catch her!

Come on, catch her! Over to her!

Take my hand.

Give me your hand now!

Don't swim away! Don't! Don't swim away!

Please Mercedes. Please, it's over.

Mercedes you must come back!

Mercedes!

Come back!

You cannot reach the shore on one arm!

I could see them. I could see them.

Let me see the arm.

I can feel some swelling.

Does this hurt?

Ah!

Can we get her something warm to drink?

I could see them.

It's only a sprain, swimmer's shoulder.

I could see them.

Look!