15-year-old Alexina Slater, in cap and swimsuit, was the only female entrant in the first organized channel swim from the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal on Vashon Island to Point Defiance held on September 26, 1926. She finished fourth with a time of 1 hr. 20 minutes, outracing nine other swimmers. The Stadium High School student was only 18 minutes behind Gerhard Bahr's winning time of 1 hr. 2 minutes. While Bahr received the roars befitting the champion, Miss Slater was also heavily applauded by the crowd of 10,000. Her picture appeared on the front page of the News Tribune and the headline actually read " Girl Given Cheer as She Swims Point Defiance Channel." Miss Slater, of 5517 N. 45th St., began swimming at age 4 under the direction of her father. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-26-26, p. 1, TNT 9-27-26, p. 1)

Alexina Slater, showing the vitality of youth, shrugs off her grueling 2-mile swim across the Point Defiance channel and dances the Charleston in front of a movie camera on September 26, 1926. The 15-year-old Stadium High School student was the only female entry in the race from Talequah to Point Defiance but she outswam nine others to finish fourth. Her time of 1 hr. 20 minutes was only 18 minutes slower than the winner, Gerhard Bahr. The massive crowd of 10,000 heartily cheered and applauded her efforts. Miss Slater, of 5517 N. 45th St., was presented a trophy from Mahncke & Co. in honor of her accomplishment. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-26-26, p. 1, TNT 9-27-26, p. 1)

Famed long-distance swimmer, Bert Thomas, a 275-pound ex-Marine frogman who conquered the Strait of Juan de Fuca, checks the January, 1956, temperature of Puget Sound. Dick Beckman and Betty Jane McGuigan hold a thermometer sign registering 45 degrees. On the night of January 26th, Thomas attempted the first long-distance, cold water, midwinter endurance swim in history and the first 18 nautical mile swim between Seattle and Tacoma. After 1 hour and 20 minutes in the water, Thomas ended his swim due to frigid winds and 42 degree choppy waters. For the Tacoma Athletic Commission. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Swimmers; Thomas, Bert; Thermometers; McGuigan, Betty Jane; Beckman, Dick;