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Sailor Jim White: The Human Link

Posted on Friday, March 11th, 2022 by John Wood

Here’s a rare one that you probably haven’t seen before: “Sailor” Jim White, Champion Strong Man of The Navy, performs “The Human Link” feat in front of a crowd in Boston, circa 1917. Three lads per side couldn’t budge the brawny fireman. This performance was done to impress prospective Navy recruits.

Sailor Jim White – Champion Strongman of the Navy

Posted on Monday, July 16th, 2012 by John Wood

Sailor Jim White - Champion Strongman of the Navy

Sailor Jim White “The Champion Strongman of the Navy” pulls a loaded bus down the streets of Washington D.C. with his teeth on October 6th, 1921. White accomplished this prodigious feat to generate awareness and money for unemployed servicemen and it was not the first time he did so for a cause. He also used his great strength to sell war bonds, raise money for the Red Cross and recruit for the Navy as well.

White became the Navy’s official strongman while serving aboard the battleship U.S.S. Texas in 1917. His repertoire was not limited to stunts of jaw and neck strength, “Sailor” also was a champion nail bender and was featured in “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” many times over.