Amelia Gade Corson

Amelia "Mille" Gade Corson (February 11, 1897 – May 1, 1982 ) was a Danish-born American long-distance swimmer who is best known as becoming the seventh person, third American and second woman to successfully swim across the English Channel. Earlier, Corson had completed the swim around Manhattan Island, a distance of 42 miles, and had also completed the swim from Albany, New York, to New York City, swimming the distance in a total of 5 days, 3 hours and 11.5 minutes. The straight-line distance between the two points is 143 miles, but Corson swam an extra 10 miles due to various detours.

Early life and career Amelia Gade was Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1897. She was raised in Vejle, and learned to swim at six years old. His assistant, Clemington Corson, helped Gade find maps and rowed with her during the swim. Gade swam 42 miles around Manhattan Island in 15 hours and 57 minutes, however, she was criticized for having a boat near her throughout the swim. So, Gade kept her supporting boat 20–70 yards away at all times, while Clemington rowed next to her in a dory.

On the night of August 28, at 11:32 at night (23:32 UTC), Gade began her second Channel attempt from Cap Gris-Nez, France. She made good progress, and at around halfway, she was on pace to beat Ederle's record. Throughout the swim she consumed two pints of hot chocolate, four sugar cubes and some crackers.

Gade sailed to New York City aboard the RMS Aquitania, and was welcomed by a ticker-tape parade.

Gade was the first mother and second woman to swim the Channel.

Death Corson died in Croton on Hudson, New York, on May 26, 1982.