Earlier that month, on October 7, 1927, Gleitze became the first British woman to swim the English Channel, completing the feat in fifteen hours and fifteen minutes. Just days later, another swimmer falsely claimed the same achievement, raising doubts about Gleitze’s success.
Even after the rival admitted it was a hoax, Gleitze had already agreed to defend her record with a second attempt. On October 21, she set off again in deteriorating conditions, on what became known as the “Vindication Swim,” and was forced to abandon the effort after more than ten hours in the icy Channel. What endured was the watch—and the legacy.