New Britain herald., 1925-09-14
SAND BAR SAVES
 VENICE FROM SEA
High Waves Dash Against Lidi,
 Bath House Location

Washington, D. C., Sept IA .- when the breaking waves of the Adriatie dashed high recently, it was the Lidi. the series of sand bar beaches separating the islands of Venice from the open sea, that bore the brunt of the blow. More than forty bath houses at the Lido, the famous international watering place on one of them, were swept away by the sea. Again, as in genera tions past. the city escaped almost unharmed,
 For although the Lido Is general ly thought of only as the Atlantic City or Newport of southern Europe, the string of islands from which 1t derives it's name has played, and continues to play, an important role in the centuries old drama of wealth, conquest and charm Of the Queen of the Adriatic," says a bull letin from the Washington, D, C. headquarters of the National Geo graphic society. "Wthout them, and the tide they control. Venice, or at least the Venice we know. would never have been born.
 Lagoon Like Jamaica Bay
 'The relation of the Lidi 10 Venice can be compared with that of the Rockaways and the island settle ments of Jamaica Bay, on the south shore of Long Island Like Jamaica Bay the Venetian lagoon spreads over a vast area of land barely sub merged, with an intricate network of narrow and winding channels to carry the flow of the tide, In places the land has risen sufficiently to form marshy islets.
 ''Just as we might choose the fishing settlements of the Raunt, Broad Channel and Goose Creek to- day as the site of an American Venice, so the wonder city of the Adriatic was built on the similar islands of Rivoalto, or Rialto. They are protected from the waves of the open sea by the Lidi, as the Jamaica Bay villages are sheltered by the long arms of Rockaway Beach and Coney Island
 ,"On the Lidi were the original settlements that led to the esta blieh- ment of the city of Venice on the islands of the lagoons. When Att tila and his Hun hordes swept down on Europe in 452 many of the in- habitants of the regions farther in land took refuge on the Lidi From TAP to S09 the seat of government of the region was Maamocco, few miles south of the Lido bathing re- sort on the same island. The en- croachments of the waves during the spring and autumn storms, and the vulnerability to attacks from enemy navies led, In S09, to a general exodus to the islands on which the present city is built.
 Great Sea Wall
 The Lidi today consist of three principal long sandy islands, divided by narrow water channels. and scarcely far enough above the water to be distinguished from clouds when seen from distance. The Iitorale, or Beach of MaIamocco is the largest and most important, as 1t contains both the famous bathing resort and the small village of Malamocco. The Litorale of Pelles- trina is a strungout village of fishermen and gardeners. Along it are portions of the great sea-wall, for although the Adriatic protected It's daughter from the guns of the heavy-draught vessels of the middle ages 1t exacted constant homage in stone walls and breakwaters. The Litorale of St. Erasmo, north of the Lido, Is shorter and less important.
 "At one time there were five ports on the channels between the islands, but that at St. Erasmo was closed to increase the volume of water at the Lido port nearby.
 The amount of tidewater that entered the lagoons through the port channels bears upon the welfare of the city. If it had ever been more than normal, large vessels could have sailed up 10 the Grand Canal Gas they do today, due to dredging, however, and Venice would have needed heavy Notifications in place of airy palaces. If it had been any less, the city would have been malarial and unhealthy Mala- mocco is the main approach today for vessels of heavy draft. The other ports, Ire Porti, and Chioggia, together are not as important as the Lido.
 Bryon and ShelIey's Visits
 "The Lido, however, owes its chief renown to the fine bathing hoaCh facing the sea, Along it's wind swept sands Rryon and Shelley raced their horses before the vogue of sea bathing. Here artists set ID their sasels to catch that soft and lumi- nous harmony of Venice from a dis tance.
 "The parallel drawn between thr Lido and Atlantic City. while a closc one, is not quite complete Al. though the Lido is evon more fo Venice than Atlantic Cry is tc Philadelphia, it is only in certain sections of it's two miles Of seafront that the public can hatho. Tho rcs' is sub-divided with harbcd wire which extends into the soa lis tance beyond the endurance of all except the mos' seasoned swimmers Between theso banners. in a sort ot ho-man's.land for the unnitiats, so- cte'y dispors itself and keeps the rotoFravure editors supplied with ''cnTy"
 ATHLETF WEIGHS BIO POUNDS