Who Was The First Person To Row Across the Atlantic?

Believe it or not, it has been done at least twice. On June 6, 1896, two oyster fishermen from New Jersey began a voyage that ranks as one of the world’s greatest sea going feats.

George Harvo and Fred Samuelson climbed into their 18-foot rowboat and began rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, traveling from New York to England. They rowed the entire 3,075 miles in 55 days.

They started their trip with five pair of extra oars, 60 gallons of fresh water, cartons of canned food, and special tanks attached to their boat that would help them stay afloat.

After several weeks at sea, big waves swamped the rowboat, and it overturned. Most of their supplies were lost, but they managed to turn their boat upright and succeeded in getting the water out of it.

Several days later, they hailed a passing freighter and bought some food and water, which kept them alive and well until they reached England. Seventy years later two more men rowed the Atlantic, from Massachusetts to England.

Their trip took 36 days longer than the one made by Jarvo and Samuelson in 1896.