The Human Cork

Angelo Faticoni (1859-1931) was called The Human Cork. He was a professional performer known for his buoyancy. He was sewn into a sack attached to a 20 lb. cannonball and thrown into the river. He soon surfaced and remained afloat for several hours. He swam across the Hudson River tied to a chair weighted with lead. How he came to have such remarkable powers of flotation remains unknown.