In celebration of summer, today’s Mustache Monday takes you to the beach, for “the international swimming match at Long Branch between Messrs. J. B. Johnson and Andrew Trautz.”
Johnson was the champion swimmer for England, Trautz for the United States. They swam against each other in August 1874 for “the championship of the world,” according to the NY Times. Ten thousand spectators came out for the big event. Tiffany & Co. designed the winner’s cup.
Johnson won the three-mile race in 1hr, 10m, 30s after breaking away with a sudden shot of speed, “as if he had been propelled from a cannon,” right before the finish line; the New York Herald has the play by play.
