River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-01-31
Bathing in Salt Lake.

Utah Correspondence OF the New York Sun.
The bathing is nearly all done at Point
Garfield. A large pier, running about
800 feet into the lake, is covered with
little bathing houses, and there are also
some bnilt upon the sands. Accommo-
dations for not fewer Than 400 bathers
at one time is provided. Steps lead
down from the pier to the water, but
woe to the bold and unwary diver who
ventures to take a header. He will
think he has struck a paving stone and
swallowed combined sulphur and salt
mine; for, in his establishment at the
coDcussion he will be pretty sure to
spen his mouth. The greater the force
with which one strikes it, the greater
the rebound. There is some danger,
too, of slipping into the water face down
ward, and not being able to turn over,
even where the depth is not greater
than two or three feet; for the resist
aEce of the water is SO powerful that
only very strong persan can force foot
through it to the ground.
During one OF my visits | saw a lady,
Just about to step into the water, miss
her footing and fall face forward. She
struggled violently for several seconds,
but her friends who were unacqualnted
with the peculiar properties of the Salt
Lake water, did not suppose she was in
peril. An al rm was, however, raised
from the pier, and she was lifted TO her
feet. But for this timely help she would
certainly have been drowned in less
than two feet of water. 1t seems almost
impossible that any liquid can be SO IT,
tensely salt as this. The swallowing OF q
very small quantity induces violent vom-
ting, the ecdon of the salt being aggra-
waited by several other alkalis held in
solution. The proportion of salt alone
is over 20 per cent.-somewhat greater
than that of the Dead Sea-and even in
the rough way of making salt common
in this region, namely, flooding mead
ows and awaiting the results Of eyapor-
alton, gallon of salt is obtained for
every five gallons of water.
To those who cannot swim, and who
have been duly warned of the dangers
to be avoided, bathing in Salt Lake is
particularly delightful. As one lies upon
the water a sense Of lightness seems to
pervade the frame. One appears to be
half floating, half flying: for only a very
small portion of the body will sink into
the water, and only the exercise of
great muscular strength can keep the
limbs upon the surface of the water.
| The eXhliafatlon produced by TINS mover
feeling of lightness is very remarkable.
1t seems to give the limbs absolute rest
as they float ia the air, upheld by no
conscious volition or expenditure OF
physical Iorce. But to the swimmer the
bathing is by no means so enjoyable.
The resistance of the water is SO great
that to force way through it requires
great effort. | saw a strong swimmer,
who had gone out bout 100 yards from
the end of the pier, obliged to call for q
boat, as he was too exhausted
to make bis way back. On coming out
it is necessary to sponge the body with
fresh water, as the salt forms complete
scale armor. One man of our party,
who forgot to use fresh water on his
head, speedily had his black hair
changed to very light gray.
Fastened alongside the pier is an old
steamer. the Gen. Garfield which used
to take excursion parties upon the lake.
About two years ago fire DESTROYED
her machinery, and since then she has
been tnrned into Coating restaurant.
An excellent dinner is served to the ba.
theirs at very moderate p.ice, and
during the season trade IS very brlsx.
For some time capitalists have talked OF
erecting a summer hotel at Point Gar
field, and at last the site is said to have
been selected