Ned Barnie

[Bob Jefferson]

I was pleased to receive an article on local hero, Ned Barnie recently. It was researched and written by Mr R.K. Mackenzie, who lives in Portobello. An abridged version will appear in the Autumn issue of the Portobello Reporter, but the editor felt that the article was so interesting that it deserved to be published in full and so passed it on to myself. In due course, it will be added to a new history section on Portobello Online. In the meantime, I intend to serialise it over the next few days, here on talkporty.

[Bob Jefferson]

Sixty years ago this summer, in 1950, Ned Barnie learned of the great Cross-Channel Race being organised by The Daily Mail. Every competitor who completed the Crossing of the English Channel would receive £250, quite a tidy sum in those days. Ned Barnie was an experienced sea swimmer, frequently using the sea route from Portobello to Fisherrow as a training dip. In 1924 he had swum across the Forth from Granton to Burntisland in 3hrs 19mins. In 1935 he did the double crossing over the same route – but he had never done the big one. Now aged 54, and feeling in his prime, this was an opportunity too good to miss.

Early (02.30am) in the morning of Tuesday, 22nd August 1950, Ned Barnie and the rest of the competitors in the Cross-Channel Race set off to swim across the English Channel to Cap Gris Nez in France. Although he did not win the race he did complete the crossing in a very creditable time of 14hr 50min, becoming the oldest person and the first Scot to achieve the feat. In the accompanying boat was Jack Snowdon of Portobello. The race was won by an Egyptian, with Ned finishing in 5th place. The following morning, only 13 hours after finishing the Crossing, Ned got up at 6.30am to go for an early morning dip.

[Bob Jefferson]

The next year, on July 28th 1951, Ned did a solo crossing from England to France. This may just have been a “warm-up” for the second Daily Mail Channel Race, which started from France early in the morning of 16th August. Ned finished in 17th place in the very respectable time of 15hrs 1min. At 55, Ned was not only the oldest man to have swum the Channel but was also the first man to have swum the Channel in both directions in one season. When he arrived back at race HQ in the late evening he amused the waiting crowd with an impromptu jig. The following morning he did not have his customary early morning swim. He told the Press that this was because his wife had “made me stay in bed!”

[Bob Jefferson]

Although this was his third and last Channel Swim, he swam the Firth of Forth in 1955, and again in 1959 when his last great swim across the Forth took him 6½ hours, during which he was sustained by drinking a mug of rum. Besides jellyfish floating by, he was greeted by a seal on the way over.

Born in 1896 in Portobello, World War I erupted in his late teens. Ned Barnie served with the Royal Scots and the Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Medal.

Back in Portobello he resumed the sport of swimming. As a young man Ned swam in competitions, winning many titles. Later he found sea-swimming was his forte, but his interest extended to administration of the sport and in 1946 he became President of the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association.

[Bob Jefferson]

Ned Barnie’s “day job” was as a science teacher at various Schools across Edinburgh – including David Kirkpatrick’s in Crewe Road, St Anthony’s, Darroch and others. His short burly figure could often be seen around Portobello and, indeed, running along Seafield to the school where he worked. Even late in his life he continued to train by swimming in the sea from Portobello beach.

Ned Barnie died on Christmas Day 1983 and is commemorated by a plaque beside the door of his home at 7 Straiton Place.

[wangi]

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/featu ... 6526461.jp

...
He was joined by 58-year-old science teacher Ned Barnie, from Portobello, who had previously made four single crossings but was keen to attempt a double with his swimming partner.

The pair completed the seven-mile challenge in an impressive four hours and 20 minutes, pulling up alongside their coach's boat after an hour for a "strong tea laced with glucose".

A crowd of well-wishers met the swimmers as they arrived in Burntisland, with a report from the day describing Ned looking as though he had only "done a length at Portobello baths".

Four years later, in 1959, First World War soldier Ned completed the challenge again despite terrible weather, using every last drop of energy to pull himself on to dry land, cutting his knees, but eventually enjoying a mug of hot tea.
...

And also of interest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q1UlUnkTxw

L/

[Bob Jefferson]

Just occasionally, someone sends me something magical:

Hi Bob -

I read your note on Ned Barnie today and remembered my Autograph Book from around 1950. Ned lived at the bottom of Bath Street and was often to be seen at the Baths encouraging the young lads.

Herewith his autograph which you can publish if you feel it will be of interest.

Regards,

JIM EDWARD
Guelph, Ontario