The record-union., 1891-08-04


So the site was taken and the baths
erected, and last night they were thrown
open to the public with due ceremonial,
as is above recorded. 1t has been
our fortune to visit many swimming
baths, and we venture the opinion that
there are none anywhere in the United
States better appointed than those of the
Sacramento Swimming Bath Association.
They are infinitely superior to either of
the San Francisco establishments, which,
by the way, it takes precisely half hour
to reach from the business center of that
city.
THE BATH WAS BUILT
Under contract by Silas Carle after
plans by w. Fl. Hamilton, architect. In
the matter of architectural beauty the
building is pleasure 10 the eye. 1t is
graceful in all its proportions, bears
upon its face an air of dignity and inn
presses one with its importance, strength
and the harmony of all its parts. Mr..
Carle began the building on the 18th OF
June and completed it on the 18th of
July. He pushed the work with the
vigor characteristic of that well-known
mechanic and level with the desire of the
directory to open it as early in the sum-
mer. AT times Mr.. Carrie worked twenty
four mon and all tho time averaged
twenty. Though the job was SO pushed
no part OF it was sighted. 1t stands to-
and superior ability of that master work
man. The joiner work is especially fine,
yet when one comes to examine the franz
ing, the compact, sturdy putting of tim
bers into form to sustain great weight
and yet to be graceful in strength one
cannot but applaud the skill of the
builder.
THE BUILDING
Is I20x60 feet. 1t is lofty and clear in the
interior, all the trusses of the roof being
dressed and polish finished in natural
grain and color. The wainscot, ceilings,
doors. windows, partitions. dressing-room
and dressing roof work is all
tongued and grooved in selected sugar
pine, and finished in natural grain with oil
and varnish. In the matter of the con-
struction of the tank MIR. Carle has done
splendid piece of carpentering, 1t does
not show to the spectators eye from
above. But whoever goes into the lower
corridors, will at once see what a fine job
the builder has done. The timbers have
to sustain not only the cement lining for
so great basin, 35xS5 feet, and from
three to twelve feet deep, but the enor-
nous pressure of $50 tons Of water be-
sides.
A GOOD JOB.
We are not so informed Of the techni-
calities Of the builders art as to explain
how all this cross-timbering, boiling,
braclng and truSSing was done-but any
one can see that master hand directed
and the intelligence of a clearheaded
thoughtful and thorough mechanic pre-
sided over it all. 1t must suffice TO say
that from foundation to apex, from the
great frames supporting the two eleven
thousand-gallon supply-tanks 10 the last
lock and bolt upon the dressing-room
doors, the building is a credit in the high
est sense to its capable builder.
THE TANK
Is. as we have said, 35xS5 feet, and of
timber lined with cement. This cement
work was done by John McGillivray, the
well-known manufacturer of cement side
walks. Mr.. McGillivray's work in this
case, like all that he does, is eXcellently
done. He had nothing to do with the de-
mand OF weight and pressure upon the
tank; he had only to fill the calls of his
contract. That, it is apparent, he has
done well and thoroughly. The walls of
this great basin are smooth; evenly fin
ished and the coping and channels are
| completed in tie very best style of the
art, testifying to$'le ability OF the worker
to do the best worE, and to his conscien-
tious regard for the calls OF his contract.
| Whoever observes the cement work
closely will see that it was a task of great
| difficulty to lay it as it is done, and that
no ordinary workman could have accom-
! pliShed it. The tin work, of which there
is great deal throughout
THIS GREAT BUILDING,
Was done by J. Donley. 1t evidences
thoroughly good workmanship. So much
depends in the wear of such building
upon the tin work being thoroughly well
done that really the security of the
structure from the wear of the elements
is very largely determined by the excel
lence of the tin joining, as also does the
convenient use of the building upon it's
| interior tin work.
THE PLUMBING AND GAs-FITTING
| Was all done by Crouch & Lyman. The
plumbing and pipe-titting were especially
difficult. Much of it is of a massive
character. So far as the observer can
| judge, the firm named has done it's work
well. In all the tests made the plumbing
has given proof of its high excellence
! Notably fine examples of this work are
to be seen in the barber shop of the build
| ing where the basins are set, as also in the
| tub bathrooms, the five toilets, and in the
| shower baths. In the latter Crouch IG
| Lyman have introduced the ''whole body,
| or side-shower." One stands within a
| circle of curved pipes, and hot or cold
water springs from them from all direc-
! tions and spray ones body from head to
crown, while the Top shower, if desired,
| sends down It's fine, refreshing rain upon
ones head and shoulders. The gas-tit-
ting, by the same firm, is in bronze, brass
and French gilt, mounted with colored
crystal. 1t is all neat, in keeping with
the interior finish, and testifies to the
| good taste and superior workmanship of
/ the firm.
THE WATER
| For the tank is drawn from a 10O-foot
! driven well sunk upon the lands of Jacob
! Gebert. 1t is cold, clear as crystal, comes
from below clay and gravel deposits, and
is as pure as that OF mountain spring.
| 1t is lifted by q Byron Jackson centri-
fugal pump, throwing 10000 gallons an
hour 1t is operated by Byron Jackson
motor, and the whole was furnished, set
up and put IN operation by 0. NJ. Downer.
THE STEAM
| Is furnished to the motor from the boil
| ers on Jacob Gebert's premises and un-
| der contract with that gentleman. It
will well repay one to go out through the
rear of the building and up to the pump
! to see it in operation. 1t runs with the
least possible noise, lifts and sends the
| water to the two great supply tanks 100
| feet away without the slightest apparent
strain. smoother, more exact and SIM
! pie piece of capable machinery one could
scarce desire to see. 1t is matched, how
ever, by the almost noiseless motor
which operates the pump. 1t is small
| but powerful piece of mechanism, and its
movement will excite the admiration of
every skilled mechanic. Mr.. Downer
has put in plant of the jackson ma
chinery that greatly pleases the associa-
ton directory for its economy, its ca
pacity and the fullness with which it dis
charges the contract made for it.
THE APPROACH
! OF the bath is admirable It is broad, in
viting and generous. AS ones eye leaves
the contemplation of the lofty front, with
/ Il oll &
rests upon the entrance and is captivated
! by its generous proportions. In San