Here are some historical notes of swimmers crossing the English Channel. Bill Wilson, age 53, of Butler will try to accomplish the feat in August of 2007:

• 25 — Approximate miles of swimming needed to cross the English Channel

• 744 — Number of people to successfully swim across the English Channel

• 1875 — First person to swim across the English Channel:Matthew Webb of England, doing so in 21 hours, 45 minutes

• 1954 — First person to die swimming the Channel:Ted May of England while attempting an unescorted crossing

• 1994 — Fastest crossing of the Channel:Chad Hunderby in seven hours, 17 minutes

• 1923 — Slowest crossing of the Channel:Henry Sullivan in 26 hours, 50 minutes

• 1988 — Youngest person to cross the Channel:Thomas Gregory, age 11

• 1987 — Oldest person to cross the Channel:Clifford Batt, age 67

• 39 — Number of times Alison Streeter has swam across the Channel, most by any individual