She started at Cremorne Gardens, heading towards Battersea, watched by the gathering crowds - but something went wrong. All of a sudden, the high wire was "swaying like a garden swing"; the weights that should have been keeping it tight had been cut away and stolen by someone who wanted to sell the lead!
Fortunately she managed to grab hold of a rope and slide down to a boat below. For most people, one attempt like that might have been enough; but she tried again a week later and crossed successfully in less than seven minutes.
