The times., 1898-09-03
THE Free BATHING BEACH
Suggestions for Improving 1t
Are Submitted.
SOME ELABORATE PLANS
Inspector Brady Makes His Monthly
Building Report - Toner School
VIII BE Completed by the Bonds
men for the Contractors - Other
Municipal Items OF Interest.

w. Y. Stevens, superintendent of the
free bathing beach, in response to re-
quest made by the District Commission
ers, has submitted plans for improving
the bathing facilities in the inner basin
of the Potomac River. The communica-
ton of Superintendent Stevens calls at
tention 10 the drawings submitted in Oc-
tober, 1886, and says in part:
In compliance with your request of
August l6 asking me to submit any plans
or studies / may have to present for the
betterment of bathing facilities at the in
ner basin, call your attention to three
sheets of drawings which were made by
me and presented to your board in oc-
tober, 80. and which bear the seal OF ap-
proval of the Secretary of War, and
herewith ] transmit rough sketches show
ing details of construction of wharves,
flume gates, trapeze, and dressing houses.
/ also submit a colored and framed draw
ing, lately made, in accordance with lai:r
experience.
Some Suggestions.
cit is suggested first, that the diving
pool be located eighty feet from the
northwest shore, where the soundinss
show a hollow. This viii lessen the cost
of dredging and give more bathing room
on the side nearest the houses. Second,
that the pool be 500 feet long. Ihiro'
that the natatorium for nude bathlng
might well be left for later experience
10 locate Fourth, that il be ascertained
how much sand now deposited in the
basin lies above grade and available for
spreading over the adjacent bottom, and
how much area will be completed when
the surplus sand is so distributed. Fifth,
what amount of earth is required TO MI
up TO grade less six inches. Sixth, how
much sand Will be required 10 fill that SIX
inches.
Il suggest that the sand should be
brought in I'm scows and unloaded at
points now nearly on grade and ccnVe-
nient 10 be spread, but not in the way OF
filling. that the fiume and dam be bullt,
the lowest tide permitted TO draw out al
the water it Will, and then the gates be
closed and the remaining water be pump
ed out The soundings now required 10
ascertain the condition of the bottom Will
give data for computing the number OF
cubic feet of water to be pumped out.
After the water is out the filling may De
made the wharves constructed on the
dry bottom and the sand be spread
evenly before the water is let in.
THE dressing house floors should be
l.
feet to carry the water out. The floors
may be often washed with hosepipe-
Il think that ventilation and lighting
could be accomplished by setting the
roofs three feet above the partitions,
which should be seven feet high, cover
ing the rooms with a continuous sheet OF
wire cloth. which should be fastened di-
rectIy on top of the partitions, then
single lamp al the end of each row would
shine under the roof. which should be
painted white as reflector. and light all
the fifty rooms of that row.
Telephone Needed.
For drinking water for cleaning, and
for fire protection, a pipe connected with
the city water system should be had.
A telephone connected with the city and
police systems is much needed by this
far-away locality. If it should be thought
necessary to lessen the first cost, the
following points might be completed on a
later appropriation:
The COO feet of wharf along the inlet
might have only one row of piles set and
the safety fences be made thereon; the
TWO central wharves across the pool and
two wharves from each section. II seems
best not TO put springboards along the
sides of the pool, because the wharf there
would require special reinforcement al
each board to stand the leverage and
springing, but as many boards are
likely TO be required for a long time
can be made on the firmer cross-wharves
of the pool. l shall be pleased 10 add
any further explanations desired by the
Commissioners or by the computing en-
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