Item 0023 - Crossing The Channel

• 1961-07-04 (Produção)

Bank clerk Bob Platten looked out over the calm sea, tested the breeze--then pushed Grannie's breaks bass bed-stead off, the shingle and into the water.

The oddest cross-Channel attempt of the year had started.

...It was 7.20 a.m. when 36-year-old Bob, a bachelor from Richmond avenue, Islington, left St. Margaret's Bay for Cap Girls Nez. His craft: the old family bedstead lashed to two empty aircraft fuel tanks for buoyancy and driven by 5¹/₂-hp, out-board motor. He named it High Hopes.

He was being led by pilot Jim Atkins in another boat, Jim Atkins in another boat, Mr. Atkins, who has guide more than 20 Channel simmers across the water, planned the route for Bob's canoe crossing two years ago.

Band leader Harry Roy and his wife went with Mr. Atkins as observers.\\Why a Channel crossing by bed? "Well," says Bob, "it's nice to get out of the office."

• The Times of Ceylon Press (Produtor)