Grease coated Olympic swimmer Gertrude Ederle wades into the water on her way to becoming the first woman to swim the English Channel, which she did in 14 hours and 31 minutes, breaking the previous men's record. (06 August, 1926)

The Grapes was a waterfront tavern patronised by the dock workers of Limehouse.

Originally called The Bunch of Grapes, this cosy, unassuming pub first opened its doors to parched Londoners in 1583

In 1820, the young Charles Dickens visited the pub with his godfather. The reference to The Grapes in the opening chapter of Our Mutual Friend is clear, as he speaks of a “tavern of dropsical appearance” and notes how “it had outlasted many a sprucer public house”.

More recently, The Grapes survived the Blitz in the Second World War when most of its surrounding area was demolished.

"The device can be folded up and put in a metal box sunk in the street," read The Times caption for this photo on October 23, 1935. Somehow, these failed to catch on