Improved Construction and Arrangements of Floating Baths.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Construction and Arrangements of Floating Baths.
I ARTHUR TWENTYMAN HORNBY of Palace Hotel, Hastings, County of
Sussex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
These baths are either for sen coast or lake bathing and are so constructed as to
ensure safety of bathers against drowning and at the same time all the advantages
of open air sea and lake bathing. No dirt or refuse can get into the baths.
The baths are constructed by three pontoons forming three sides of a square or
rectangle each pontoon being built like the hull of a ship with numerous watertight
compartments to ensure their safety. At the end or open side there is a triple
boom connecting the two sides of the bath the said boom being kept in position by
the two pontoons and chains attached. The flooring or graduated bottom of
creosoted openworked planking is suspended from one side or end and kept in
position and weighted by angle iron, the sides and end of baths and flooring are
protected by strong rope netting.
On the decks of the three pontoons are to be numerous and prettily arranged
dressing rooms say 6 feet by 6 feet and a wide verandah running all round both
sides of the baths. The actual bathing space can be made any size according to
desire and the dressing rooms provided with every comfort necessary for the
bathers.
Steps lead down from the sides of the pontoons and galvanized iron chains run
round the baths for the safety and convenience of the bathers.
The grating flooring is graduated from say 2 feet to 6 feet in depth.
The pontoons are anchored securely by numerous mushroom anchors and strong
chains.
Each pontoon is constructed like the hull of a vessel and the dressing rooms are
so constructed that if necessary in the winter season they can be taken down and
folded up like screens and the buildings disconnected and brought on shore and
housed during the winter season.
The pontoons can be provided with pier heads or guides to keep them in position
and be connected with a landing stage or pier.
Proper lights would be shewn at night time and during the heat of the day an
awning would keep the sun's rays from the bathers.
The upper structure is preferably in the Swiss chalet style and has a very pretty
effect.
The advantages of these baths over any other baths yet in use are
1st. Complete safety against drowning either from being carried away by strong
currents etc., cramp or other causes.
2nd. Cleanliness of water and all the comforts of bathing on shore and at the
same time the enjoyment and healthiness of open air bathing which cannot be over-
estimated.
Dated this 6th day of November 1905.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said A. T. Hornby.

page_text: I, ARTHUR TWENTYMAN HORNBY, of Palace Hotel, Hastings, County of
Sussex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
These baths are either for sea coast, lake, or river bathing, and are so constructed
as to ensure safety of bathers against drowning and at the same time have all the
advantages of open air sea and Inke bathing besides being a place of "rendezvous"
and promenade. No dirt or refuse can get into the baths.
The baths are constructed by three pontoons forming three sides of a square or
rectangle each pontoon being built like the hull of a ship with numerous watertight
compartments to ensure their safety. At the ond or'öpen side there is a solid and
substantial triple boom connecting the two sides of the bath, the said boom being
kept in position by the two pontoons and chains attached and acting as a break-
water. The flooring or graduated bottom of creosoted openworked planking is
suspended from one side or end and kept in position and weighted by angle iron,
the sides and end of baths and flooring are protected by strong rope netting.
On the decks of the three pontoons or more as deemed necessary are to be
numerous and prettily arranged dressing rooms say 6 feet by 6 feet and a wide
verandah running all round both sides of the baths, bathers being able to bathe
either inside the enclosed and safe bathing space or outside in the open sea
according to choice.
The actual bathing area can be made any size according to desire and the
dressing rooms provided with every comfort necessary for the bathers.
Steps lead down from the sides of the pontoons and galvanized iron chains run
round the baths for the safety and convenience of the bathers.
The grating flooring is graduated from say 2 feet to 6 feet in depth.
The pontoons are anchored securely by numerous mushroom or screw anchors and
strong chains.
Each pontoon is constructed like the hull of a vessel, and the dressing rooms are
so constructed that if necessary in the winter season they can be taken down and
folded up like screens, and the buildings and pontoons disconnected and brought on
shore and housed.
The pontoons for sea coast will or can be provided with pier heads or guides to
keep them in position when connected with a landing stage or pier, or when moored
in the open.
Proper lights would be shown at night time, and during the heat of the day an
awning would keep the sun's rays from the bathers.
The upper structure is preferably in the Swiss chalêt style and has a very pretty
effect.
The advantages of these baths over any other baths yet in use are :—
1st. Complete safety against drowning either from being carried away by strong
currents, tides, etc.: cramp or other causes, and old and young, weak and strong can
bathe with impunity.
2nd. Cleanliness of water and all the comforts of bathing on shore and at the
same time the enjoyment and healthiness of open air bathing which cannot be over
estimated.
3rd. Can be used at any time (excepting at extreme low tides at some places) so
long as there is 2 feet of water under the shore end pontoons.
My invention is illustrated in the annexed four sheets of drawings.
Figure 1 external elevation.

page_text: Figure longitudinal internal elevation showing the inclined flooring and
pontoon in section.
Figure 3 plan of structure.
Figure 4 diagram indicating end or corner pier like columns for locating the
structure near a foot staging or pier.
Figure 5 plan of same.
Figure 6 perspective general view of a pair of such baths for opposite sexes and
as seen from a vessel approaching the pier head.
A, B, C, represent watertight pontoons located to form three sides of a rectangle
which can be set or arranged between and guided by columns D, D, or otherwise.
The pontoons are detachable one from the other to permit of the structure being.
lengthened by additional pontoons should it be found necessary, as also for safety
and easy riding or floating on the sea.
The pontoons A, B, C, are constructed in watertight compartments to increase
their buoyancy in case of wreckage etc., that might cause damage, and the decks
can be arranged to wholly or partially cover the upper parts. I prefer that the
compartments be fitted with all the personnel and appliances for use by bathers
and bath attendants, and also for refreshments, bookstall stores, paint, and
repairing shops etc.
The decks serve as a promenade on which seats E can be provided, and the
depth of the water in the bath is governable by an inclined flooring F sloping from,
say 3 feet at one end to 6 or 7 feet at the other, the fourth side of the structure
being open to the sea, or it may be enclosed by a pontoon similar to B. If open
lash baulks of timber G, G, across as a protection, and over which none but
good and experienced swimmers would be allowed to go.
The deeper end of the flooring F is preferably seawards and from the pontoons
to the flooring I provide a network H to keep the ordinary swimmers within
bounds, and yet give free play for entry and passage of water at all states of the
tide, at the same time protecting the swimmers from surf and swell of the waves
which by the laulks of timber and netting become broken up and reduced in
violence, and thereby render sea bathing a pleasure.
The baulks of timber act as an artificial breakwater G and serve also to suspend
the deeper end of the flooring F the whole of which is loosely yet strongly located
as to yield to excess of pressure from the waves or under current and re-adjust
itself.
The flooring is composed of planks of wood with narrow openings between to
constitute a grating secured to cross beams or girders of metal to sink it and so
keep it submerged, a festoon of chains I, I, being arranged to the pontoons within
the bath for timid bathers to cling to and gradually gain confidence. J, J, are
steps leading to and from the water.
The pontoons are closed in at top at certain parts, or are covered with a wood
Hoor or deck on which dressing and other rooms K are erected, these being in
sections easily detachable when desired or as permanent structures particularly
when the bath is located within easy reach of shelter such as might be necessary
during the winter, but which during the bathing season could be moored at a
distance from the shore and available by boats, or more preferably near a pier or
landing stage L such as I show at Figures 4 and 5 from which by a suitable
incline M access could be had to the bath.
I prefer that the bath be secured at such position in the sea that at low water.
there be at least two feet of water under the flooring in order that the outflow shall
always be useful in renewing the supply to the bath in a similar manner as with
the inflow, whereby the bathers are always having the advantage of clean water
flowing into and through the bath.
The pontoons may be in given sizes and separable for being drawn ashore and
housed during the winter, the necessary painting and repairs being then effected
which would give employment in bad weather to men in the service of corporate
bodies on the coast.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The construction and arrangement of sea bath structures in sections or
lengths capable of being united in rectangular plan and provided with a suspended
submergeable flooring as described.
2. Constructing an open sea bath composed of three sides closed and one open
with suspended submerged flooring of inclined formation surrounded with network
and with the necessary upper structure as dressing rooms capable of being detached
and stored substantially in the manner shown and for the purposes set forth.
3. Constructing pontoons with the necessary compartments for refreshments,
bookstalls, paint and store sheds or shops in which all the requirements. of bathers
can be kept when said pontoons are provided with superstructure dressing rooms
and the like and capable of separation for stowing on shore during winter months
as described.
TL Oth 1
1000
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166 Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said A. T. Hornby.