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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cavill family of Australia is known for its significant contributions to the development of the sport of swimming.[1][2]
Prominent family members in the sport include Frederick Cavill (1839–1927),[3] sons Ernest Cavill (1868–1935),[4] Charles Claude Cavill (1870–1897),[5] Percy Frederick Cavill (1875–1940),[6] Arthur Rowland Channel (Tums) Cavill (1877–1914),[5][7] who is credited by sports journalist W.F. Corbett with originating the Australian crawl stroke, which now predominates in "freestyle" swimming races; and Sydney St. Leonards Cavill ("Sid") (1881–1945),[8] was one of the originators of the butterfly arm stroke.[9] Youngest son Richmond (Dick) Theophilus Cavill (1884–1938)[3] was the first to use the crawl in a competition, winning 100 yards State championship in 1899; and in England, in 1902, he was the first to swim 100 yards in under a minute.[10]
Six members of the family were jointly inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1970.[11]
The three daughters, Madeline, Fredda and Alice Cavill[12] were all accomplished swimmers[13][14] and swimming instructors.[15]
Fredda Cavill's son Dick Eve won gold at the 1924 Summer Olympics in the plain high diving, becoming the first Australian Olympic diver to win gold.[15]
Cavill was a sailor, and was awarded three lifesaving medals by the Royal Humane Society. He was also an apprentice on the HMY Fairy and was England's fastest man at swimming 500 yards. As he got older, he became a swimming coach and the Kensington Swimming Baths owner, where he coached Princess Mary to swim.[16] He later moved to Australia and became one of the first people to swim and develop the front crawl.[17]
In August 1876, around a year after Matthew Webb completed the first successful crossing of the English Channel, Cavill attempted his own crossing. Webb accompanied Cavill for the swim, and Cavill used many of Webb's techniques, such as using porpoise oil and the captain George Toms. Cavill started fast, but soon ran into multiple jellyfish which caused him to feel nauseous. After consuming a large amount of Whiskey, Cavill was eventually pulled out after 10 hours of swimming. He was disorientated and had a weak pulse.[18]
Webb criticized Cavill for using the faster side stroke rather than the older breaststroke, and for wearing a jersey. Webb also said that Cavill had only made it halfway across, which made Cavill angry and determined to give it another attempt.[19]
In July 1877, Cavill attempted it a second time, this time starting in Cap Gris Nez, France and attempting to swim to Dover, England. Cavill claimed to have completed the crossing ten hours faster than Webb, but was discredited when his signed witness Mr. Gammon was discovered to have never existed. Cavill never admitted to lying, but challenged Webb to a race across the channel, which he declined.[20]
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