Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)
Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)

© the copyright holders. Image credit: Alan Greenwell / Art UK

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Charles Gerald Forsberg won the world record for his swim across the English Channel in 1957. He is depicted swimming in the sea with only his head (wearing goggles) and one arm visible above the waves. After a war record of exceptional distinction, Forsberg became a marine salvage officer in Malta. In 1952 he married Joyce Hogarth of Morecambe and became closely associated with the town. In 1958 he became the first swimmer to achieve a two-way crossing of Morecambe Bay. He became President of the Channel Swimming Association in 1963 and was President of the British Long Distance Swimming Association in 1983. He died in Morecambe in 2000.
Title

Memorial to Commander Gerald Forsberg (1912–2000)

Date

2002

Medium

marble

Measurements

H 50 x W 125 x D 40 cm;
Plinth: H 70 x W 200 x D 70 cm (E)

Accession number

LA4_AG_S030

Acquisition method

commissioned by the British Long Distance Swimming Association

Work type

Statue

Owner

Lancaster City Council

Custodian

Lancaster City Council

Access

at all times

Inscription description

an incised plate fixed to the plinth: COMMANDER CHARLES GERALD FORSBERG OBE, RN (RTD.). / 18TH JUNE 1912 - 24TH OCTOBER 2000 / THIS MEMORIAL ACKNOWLEDGES THE RETIREMENT WISH OF 'GERRY' FORSBERG TO / "SIT FACING WONDERFUL MORECAMBE BAY AND INBIBE THE MATCHLESS VIEW", / GERRY'S LIFE EMBRACED THE SEA. HE WAS A MASTER MARINER, SERVED WITH COURAGE AND DISTINCTION / WITH THE ROYAL NAVY IN W.W.ll AND, LATTERLY, BECAME A MOST RESPECTED MARINE SALVAGE OFFICER. / HE WAS ALSO A MARATHON SWIMMER WHOSE SWIMS INCLUDED THE ENGLISH CHANNEL (WORLD RECORD 1957), / LOCH NEAGH AND LOCH LOMOND AS WELL AS 23 CROSSINGS OF THIS, HIS BELOVED BAY. / RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY, HE REMAINS AN INSPIRATIONAL FIGURE TO THOSE WHO ATTEMPT / TO EMULATE HIS REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. / A PRODIGIOUS AUTHOR, SCHOLAR AND THE MOST GENTLE AND AMIABLE OF MEN, / GERRY IS CONSTANTLY RECALLED WITH GREAT AFFECTION BY HIS MANY FRIENDS. / PRESENTED BY THE BRITISH LONG-DISTANCE SWIMMING ASSOCIATION

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Located at

opposite Regent Road, Morecambe

LA3 1BU

On the sea front promenade.