Used in the Exhibit: Play by Play - A Century of L.A. Sports Photography, 1899-1989. When Florence Chadwick attempted to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, thousands flocked to the beach to watch her. But foggy conditions and lurking sharks combined to thwart her. Two months later, in an event televised live, the former L.A. Athletic Club standout finished the 21-mile swim in 13 hours and 47 minutes, shattering the men's record by two hours. The excitement was too much for one spectator: she suffered a mild heart attack. In this photo, Chadwick is comforted by Johnny Weissmuller after her first attempt. Photograph dated July 14, 1952.
Chadwick, Florence Weissmuller, Johnny,--1904-1984 Swimmers--United States Swimming for women Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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