The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-25
SATURDAY, JULY %, 1855.
swIMMlNG-Irs PAST AND PRESENT

h"V'Ou VI Iho auWlrdule arrangements Tor
enjoying delightful swim during this trop-
ical weather, suggests in vivid contrast the
modeof securing swim some fifteen OF
twenty years ago. To the youth of that pc
riod, the Brandywine was the most avaia-
bile place.
On a hot day it was common thing to
see hundreds of boys aud men bathing in
the Brandywine aud the race on the north
side. This race was divided by common
consent into different sections. each section
having name
''rhere was "Sandy- bot, " much frequent
ed by the smaller boys on account of it's
shallow depth and sandy bottom. "Slp
pery-bot, so called from its slippery sides
and bottom-was in favor with larger bows.
and those who had learned the Iudments of
swimming. "Acorn, aud 'Mossy," each
had their quota, while cam. chair was eel
cbrated as being the deepest place in tile
race, and as aif riding au excellent place for
diving
Expert swimmers affected the river itself
No boy could lay any claims as swimmer
until he had proved his title by swimming
across the Brandywne. The filst bow fell
when the authorities fo.bad swimming in
the river.
The river-gods were driven back .nio the
race amid loud prolestations at This cnrtail-
ment Of their pleasures. Some Of The bolder
ones openly expressed their contempt fol
the law by p'unging into the river when
the officer was not in sight; aud it was an
everyday occurrence to see some lusty swim
mer, caught in the act, making the water
form with his powerful efforts 70 escape the
fiieer who stood on the oppcs te shore gest-
uIating wildly and shouting at tie Offenders
whom he was powerlesS to reaer.
The next act against the system was TO
require all batlers to wear pants or swim
ming-breecles Louder still were the cries
raised against this innovation, and dark aud
deep were the threats made not u abide by
it. An officer was kept busy hunting down
and chasing the violators of this rule. Tru-
lyhis lot was not happy one.
His absence from particular spot was
eagerly taken advantage Of; and boys not
fortunate enough tI POSSESS The required
costume, would p.unge into the race, Willie
some generous friend watched to give warn
ing Of the officers return. Frequently the
latter would surprise the offender, and, hen
the plot th'ckcneI.
The terrified swimmer would leave the
water with frantic eap;-make a bold
rush for his clothes, and with the latter
tucked tightly under his arm, he woald lice
like frightened der for the oods, his AL.
annie costume alordmg but .tIc pot, elton
from the thorns that beset his path,
Then came an cdict prohibiting SWIMMING
in any costume upon the Brandywine With.
III the city limits. The vo.airs Of Neptune
were completely crushed by this action. As
peace offering to their bruised hearts, the
authorities constructed fence around a
small portion Of the ra"", and bathing was
allowed within. The place was small and
The b tom rocky, and it soon fell into dis
favor. 1t wa, finally torn dlwu and bath
INN IL, I
ccpt At u.ht beaa ne a thing Of the
past
In those times many difficulties bcsct the
path Of the bather The race l,uttom was
covered with sharp rocks; to which TACT
many ent toes aud bruised shius bore v +
ness. Then there was the constant danger
Of having your clathc, stolen, or your pork-
cts rilled white You wcro IN the water.
some persons actuaicd by a love OF mis-.
chief, Or in mdcr 10 ray an old grudge
would tic ti9ht KNIT: in tie clothing OF
aome mwary halhe.. Ii was d work Of
gic4t labol to unite such knots without tear
Ing tie fabri2.
The unhappy Victim Received but lttlr
sympathy from tho,r arourI Indeed hiS
vain cnd,ayar, {, unto The hlrl. water
sork"d knot ~ means NJ us hngrrS aud
teeth, would ia pire souy hrol heated boy
~ start tne m.l.,n; "Whas.llw, bttr ANA
clavr whirlt was always applied to such
an otruSibr.
Since the disappearance IF jhr fence on
the north rae, some twc'ye Or more years
ago, there has been no place whatever near
the rny, whcr' rc:sou could enjoy
swim. The Christaua with its doubtful
''haif-alr-halr Of mud and water wa, not
inviting to the average .lhcr.
The Giants Rock was TOO long distance
to walk on Il hot dag. y provision has
ever hcen made for ltiy batherS Boys
were forced tn 4iaw up in Ignorance nl the
at Of swim nns, simply because tb:ra was
NJ place Gor them To learn.
Truly the Nat.tortum la, supplied a l'n.
felt want,
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