Warning – Professor Tommy Burns

Don’t try this at home …

Attempting to emulate the activities of Tommy Burns and others mentioned on this website may result in injury – or worse – so please:

do not dive from bridges or buildings
do not swim with alligators
do not attempt to ride the rapids at Niagara Falls in a barrel

On Saturday 19th October 1889, police were out in force in Lime Street, Liverpool, to control well-wishers who turned out to welcome Tommy at the end of a self-imposed challenge which the Liverpool Echo referred to as ‘Burns’s Great Feat’.

Read the wonderful story of Tommy's joint attempt to set a long-distance swimming record in the Mersey. The account titled A Long Swim was published by Thomas William Sheffield, former captain of Birkenhead Swimming Club and a world authority on swimming.

Fascinating. I thought that I knew my local history, but this is all new to me. More accolades should be given to this great Liverpool showman. Well done for your research and creating such a wonderful website - Richard Baker

.. new information and old photos to add to Tommy's story. If you can help, please use this link to send an instant message.