The daily gazette., 1874-08-26
NYMPHS OF THE WATES,
A Sunday Summing Match Betiueea Young
Ladies-Seven Contestants for the Golden
Locket Pfize.

n oHnudy Summing MdtcH BetUeea l0hll
Ladies-,Seven Contestants for the Colder
Locket Prize.
The horse cars of the Fort Hamilton
line Were crowded Sunday afternoon
Women sat upon the seats, and stalwart
men clung to the platforms. There was
great jolity among the crowds that throng-
ed the cars, and many comments were
made upon the manly art of swimming,
especially as applied to women. The rea-
son OF this unusal rush to Fort Hamilton
is found in the following advertisement
which appeared OH Friday last
Ladies' Swimming Match
at Fort Hamilton.
Saturday and Sunday. August % and "a.
Will take place ut Z. M.
The scene of the swimming match is
about quarter Of mile from the fort,
and the sandy walk along the shelving
beach was thronged from noon until three
o'clock. At the point where the SWIM
ming match was contested, Miss Katie
Bennett, teacher of swimming at the
Eleventh street bath, has erected COM
forta BILE and commodious bathing houses.
The beach here is hard, and descends
gradually into the bay. The exhilarat-
ing surf alone is wanted to render the
place as fashionable resort as Long
Branch or Newport. Fort Wadsworth
and Hamilton are in full view, and far
away to the south are Sandy Hook and
the broad Atlantic.
GRACEFUL SWIMMERS.
It was three clock when Miss Bennett
appeared. At this time ten of her pupils
all New York girls, had arrived, and were
anxiously awaiting her coming. The beach
was lined with spectators. Miss Bennett
had told her pupils that if the day was
threatening they need not come. She
had expected twenty-four swimmers, but
acting upon her warning many failed to
respond. The ten who did appear were
remarkable no less for beauty than for
the grace which characterized their rmove-
ments. Pointing them out to the report
er, Miss Bennett said, "You can see the
value of a knowledge of swimming to la
dies. The grace which they acquire in the
water clings to them on the land. Depend
upon it, the best swimmers always prove
the best walkers and best dancers
BY this time the ten water witches had
arrayed themselves in proper costume,
and We're gamboling in the waves. They
hoated and they swan; they dived and
they moved rapidly upon their backs.
Their long hair streamed back, floating
on the water like the plumes of an alba
tross. They laughed joyously and duck
ed each other with screams OF merriment.
They were amphibious. The water was
cold but this did not seem to interfere,
with their fun. They swan with easy,
graceful motion. Occasionally one would
indulge in u few strokes of the dog pad
die; but only for moment of rest. The
exercises of the ladies We're rapturously
applauded by the spectators.
THE CONTESTS.
Miss Bennett then appeared upon the
beach and gave her instructions. About
500 yards distant the stake boat was an
chored, and the first match was for that
distance. The prize was for Il gold locket.
1t was contested for by seven fair swim
mers, Misses Annie and Adeline Mason,
Bella and Julia Kahn, Kate and Annie
Barclay and Lena Helwig.
Tue start was ordered, and the girls
pushed rapidly forward. Two stalwart
men and five swimmers passed over the
course with them; and to secure still fur
ther protection men were scattered about
at different points of the course. For
about twenty yards the ladies kept near
ly in straight line. Then Annie Mason
gained slightly over her companions, and
this gain was soon made good by her sis
ter Adeline. The two swan together for
some distance, but Annie, who is the
youngest and the smallest, at length
forged ahead and won the victory by about
six yards, i'll two minutes and twenty Sec
onds. She came swimming back with a
small American flag fastened in her hair
the badge of victory
A match of three hundred yards was
then swan by Katie Barclay and Adeline
Mason. This was for pair of gold ear
wings and xUaa won bu Miss Mason in ono
minute and twelve seconds. This was the
last contest, and the dripping maidens
fled from the waves to resume their silks
and satins.
The last match of the season is to be
contested by Miss Benefits pupils next
Sunday afternoon for a gold watch and
chain. 1t is expected that at least twen-
ty-four ladies will participate in the con-
test.-NeW York Sun.
Il Il'U1VDet Blast from jSDN3'-