New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-24
WHERE SWIMMERS GO.
THE DELIGHTS OF A RIVER BATH.
HOW UNCLE BILLY CAMERoN's PLACE WAS
DEvELOPED-BoATING AS WELL
AS BATHING.

Among the perennial exhibits of the silly season.
is the article on NewYork a Summer Resort" a
subject. however which affords to the facle pen Of
the ready (mdsummcr) writer a foundation Of
racity than the majority of howcather topics.
y g the manifold advantages held ont by this
gf city to those whom necessity choice leads TO
ugcr here throughout the year II is doubtful whether
stress has been sufficiently laid upon the facilities
for bathing and swimming, which are TO be found al
most at the door of those who live upon the upper
portion Of the island and near its western shore cs
pecially
Years ago when Washington Heights village
TO whose inhabitants NcwYorh City proper was
almost inaccessible Albany eccentric old sailor
man built himself small dwelling house at the head
of the long dock, which ont into the North
River at the foot Of the steep dcclivity which, with
grim satire is called street, and OnchundTcd and
fifty secOndSt. al that ly the side Of his dwelling
place he moored a small float purchased few shifts
and natbotomed boats, and painting slgn which
read Boats TO hire sat himself down and waited
for customers. BY degrees they came, and a. time
went the float larger. the boats more numerous
and Of better build, and Uncle Billy" Cameron be
came one of the features Of Washington Heights.
Rivals OF course contested his supremacy. aid with
in especial. who built shanty and moOred
float two three blocks further up the river. waT
constantly being wagcd with Ilomcric intensity
and prolongatiOn. Uncle Billy" the occasion
every time, and when he found thai the Washington
after daily dip in the salty river. and as the
neighborhood grew too populous for this amusement
TO be INDUCED in with its former archaic simplicity
when the river wall served as dressing room and
bathing suits were cumbersome superiultics, he con
structed row OF bathing houses. which, though not
exactly luxurious in their fittings still served their
purpose admirably. ana mcOred the up river Side
Of the dock another float for bathers. This. has
been said, years ago. "Unce BLY," with his
huge voice and bluff manners has been gathered 10
his fathers at the age OF eighty, and 10 his littc
kingdom succeeded his after short ntcrrcgnum.
during which the gloTies Of the place wancd @ono
what. Now the boats, which anchored along shore
or tied 10 mooring poles, numbered by the score.
and include rakshooking yachts, trim catboats.
dapper naphtla launches, and rOwboats OF every
description. On the other side Of the dock Uncle
Billy's7 handful OF bathing houses have multiplied eX
ceedingly, and half a hundred wellbut dressing rooms
are now to he seen, while i'll the itself Is be
found every thing that tie bather swimmer needs
for safety or pleasure. Well out IN tie stream lies
a large float, provided with spring board, and 10
which gained by light bridge supported
ON piles, which divide with the springbOard the
honors Of the favorte diving of Place Nor are the
children and nOn-swImmcr- neglected, Tor Nh r. /, -
spacious Enclosure for them, reached By br al Ggt
Of steps, in which they can safely splash about T.
Throughout moi summers day II i, interesting T.
watch the constant succession Of visitors vtrln- VIII
each hour 10 TINS cool spot, where bc ~ IS hcVe'
vainly sought. Early the forenoon the
ana mdldCHs from Tho rcynDOrhpOd, taxing
their baths thus cary with keen b. the necessity
drying their sire inng LOCKS In tie II erooh
sun vale their brothers wall until the afternoon T.
brace themselves after TIER morning zane Of tennis
or what not. Later come thOa" whose business
keeps them the city until the day IS well spent ana
with these arrive host Of water Flowers Who do not
live on the Heights. but whom the prospect Of
cool. refreshing dip tempts daily from their homes
downtown. Nor docs nghtfa stop the sport. aud
on a mo0nt evening the watr is spla>hed in silver
showers in every direction by scor; OF ampnb,ns
who thus for themselves the certainty OF
dreamlc,s sleep, however hot and sutry NAV lie the
night. .
The water al this point Of the Hudson. which. by the
WAY is one Of the IavOrc shlng grounds, /, as yet
unCOntaminated. and volumes Of pure green. salt
water are brought up constantly by the swiftly
running tide. TO a good swmmc. pleasure !.
10 he had than in surf bathing. aia the number o,
experts who may be here AT ANY tim" is
prsing and not loss is the fat THAT the weaker
sex pushes the stronger hard for supremacy. one
youthful ratrOn. the wife Of welhnOwn dramati
and Newspaper man. has Oudstanc d o competitors
of her own SEX and can swim shoulder 70 shoulder
with the strongest swimmer who frequent, the pla"c
Altogether. when TIM" convenience does not serve
for a trip Cnncy Island. the water lover hardly
do better than take tie cable from the Onc-hundrcd
ard twenty nfth-st. elevated station. and waking i
connie Of blocks west from Tenth ave. find himself
In sight Of as good a swimming ground can De
found within fifty miles 81 the city. little as Il
known TO the majority of New Workers.