The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-31
NARRAGANsETT PIER, R. I.
III.

Sea bathing is the great pastime,
the characteristic feature, the domin
ant attraction at Narragansett Pier for
those who do and those who do not
practice it. Hundreds of men, wo-
men and children are seen in the surf
at time and together. The best, the
usual time for bathing, is between IL
and l. The bathing beach is extern
sive, clean and safe. The undertow
of the waves is light. The water is
shallow for a considerable distance
and deepens gradually. The danger
of accidents is small, smaller because
men in "Rescue Boats" drift near con-
stantly during bathing hours. l asked
one of these men if persons were
ever drowned here, and he said, "No,
we never allow them to be drowned
Some timid ones go out only far
enough to wet their feet and ankles
or knees at most; others advance
cautiously until the waters touch their
waist, shoulders possibly; others still,
the swimmers, wade boldly forward
to where they disappear from sight
all but their heads which seem like SO
many black spots on the water, or if
bald, like white spots. Many stand
hesitating and shivering, dreading
awfully the chilling contact of water,
which has an icy feeling generally,
but after the first immersion their
confidence returns, an exhilarating
sensation takes possession of them
and then the excitement and pleasure
begins. Then they commence to play
and splash and leap about, squatting
and rising, venturing deeper and re.
treating, the boldest ducking their
heads and catching back the breath
they lost for a moment, showing
courage; then running to get away
from an engulfng wave that is chss-
ing them, laughing or screaming, it
may be in half delight and half fright.
A novel and indescribable exhibition!
A dark, irregular, broken swaying,
wriggling mass of humanity looking
more like crazy school of porpoises
or some other aquatic tribe of Great
ures which has emerged from the
deep to sport in sunny shadows for
a while; and yet the dark mass is
frightened somewhat by the variously
colored costumes, the white, red and
yellow girdles, the red and orange
and blue caps, and nude legs and
arms and necks and bald heads which
shine in the sun like dancing mir
rors.
An interesting part of the pleasure
for non swimmers is to go and stand,
facing the shore, where the breakers
mount with a sudden shock ones
back and shoulders, fringing the head
and face, almost burying them with
white foam, Transforming for the in
slant the whole indistinct figure into
some imaginary offspring of the sea.
A floating raft is anchored in the
deep water for the swimmers to swim
to, crawl upon, turn somersaults and
dive from, with the alertness and fear
lessness of fishes. Some remain in
the water 10 minutes, some 30 and
some 60. Returning from their bath
they all have drenched and some a
rather pitiable appearance, but they
doubtless feel strengthened and re-
freshed. A few, however, do not like
and cannot endure sea- bath; few
are kept back by fear; and others
by the trouble of changing suits.
The edge-line of the water differs
from time to time according to the
tide. At low tide wide expanse of
beach lies exposed, first run of dry