Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-20
THE RAFTING BEACH.
Its Present Coudiesos and Needs stated BY
MI. stevens.

Its Present Condissos and Needs Stated BY
Mr.. stevens.
The Commissioners today received the fol-
lowing report from Superintendent. Stevens Of
the bathing beach:
have the honor 10 report upon the present
condition and the absolute needs Of the bathing
beach in order that il may be kept open
for the season. - follows: Since the
last bathing season two doors have been stolen
from the eolored house and some other damages
done which viii cost about IS for repairs
The colored wharf has been badly damaged by
the ice. The outer end Of the wharf is raised
and now stands, piles and all, about two feet
above the level OF the main line. midway Sec
ton Of the wharf was broken up and sirely car
springb board on il stands isolated. 1t will re-
quire thirty new boards and eight pieces Of
scantling to repair this wharf, leaving the outer
end raised as IL now is. II could not be restored
to it, original level without tearing the boards
all OF and redrivinS or saving off the piles and
rebuilding at a considerable expense. The
north wharf is considerably crooked and il will
require fifteen new boards to replace those
which are so broken as to be unsafe and those
entirely gone.
The fence which was placed along the front
Of the beach was entirely pulled Up by the ice
and one-half OF it foa;ed of and is lost.
The other hall was saved at high tide by
some kind hands pulling it ashore while float
Ing. To repair the wharves and houses viii cost
go at the lowest est. mate, leaving the frames
OF the wharves as they now stand The re-
mairing fence lumber would be sufficient to
replace the end fences of the beach which have
been stolen and carried away
would call your attention to the fact that
no damage by ice ever could occur in q pool OF
basin such as have repeatedly reconmeI ded.
because there would be no rise o. fail OF The
tide to lift the ice when frozen around the
thp-a cnuld ha m ssih of
anything floating away which was left within
such a basin.
Bathing USUALLY commences here as early as
May /.
l have had ,hs life boat ca:ked up SO
that 1t Is ready fo- use and our last wear
per:ence SPEAKS very hight for this lie beat
service IN having rendered saving aid ito
seven persons and nc; haTing one drown
ing after 1t was put in service. The fence
paced along tine front as AT experiment inter
tcred greatly with the enjoyment OF the beach
by batlers and was OF service wAa.eyer.
During the heated term the river is usually
low. AID in the hours suitable fo- Da;a-
ing there was hardly ever water inside of tie
fence deep eEou2n 20 swim in. and i: was -nTrh
oftener nos IA foot deep anywhere within the
fence. SO that all the bathing was done
outside OF the fence AID the fence interie.ed
with the bathess coming ashore. Il also
inte-feres with making a rush from shore
TO any one In danger III order to throw a lire
or shove a PLANK for his assistance. In
past seasons it wSs SO common to render
such aid that no record was kept of it.
have never heard any one who used the beach
say the fence was of any use, and there wee
over 10, 900 bathers registered after the fence
was put up. There were a number OF instances
where boys got hung in or under the fence
under water ana were pulled out by
others. l do not recommend the replacing OF
the fence along the beach front. 1t is a
source Of more danger than safety. Twice every
day the tide rises and fai.s four feet and in the
season OF high tides this range Is three feet
h: ,he- thai. in the season OF low tiGes SO tina.
iAeG fence cannot possibly mark line Of
safety.