Royal Union Baths, Plymouth ([1834])

G. P. Hearder
  • image IMAGEFORDA3230
RepositoryLibraryShelf
Devon West Country Studies sPER/SOU
Illustration Reference
SC2136
Location
CD 33 DVD 5
Publication Details
Date
[1834]
Place
Scope and Content
Hearder, G. & J. The South Devon monthly museum. Plymouth: November 1st, 1834. VOL. IV. No. 23. pp. 193-197. THE SPECTATOR, No. VI. ROYAL UNION BATHS, PLYMOUTH.In the year 1828 a charter of incorporation was granted by the king to Edmund Lockyer, Esq., and divers others, his majesty's most loving subjects, empowering them to erect commodious baths for the accommodation, comfort, and convenience of the inhabitants and visitors of Plymouth: also to make all reservoirs, pipes, tunnels, and sluices, for supplying the same with water from the sea; and to provide for the discharge of the waste water thereof, by pipes, tunnels, and all other fit and proper meansIt was further granted that, for the establishing and carrying on the said undertaking, it should be lawful for the said company to raise and contribute amongst themselves any sum or sums of money, not exceeding in the whole the sum of ten thousand pounds, which should be divided into shares of twenty-five pounds each.In pursuance of this grant, nearly seven thousand pounds were raised, partly by loan and partly by the sale of shares. Roger Hopkins, Esq., civil engineer, under the direction of the committee, prepared the necessary elevations and plans, and the foundation stone of the erection was laid on the 29th of July, 1828, by Sir Byam Martin, acting as proxy for his present Majesty. The establishment was opened. May 1st., 1830.The elevation is of the Doric order, consisting of two columns in Antae, with a pediment, forming an entrance; with pilasters to the wings and sides.The water is conveyed from the sea under the Western Hoe, near the spot called the Rusty Anchor, by means of more than thirteen hundred yards of iron main, nine inches in diameter. The course of this main may be seen at low water, near the spot above mentioned.The water is daily admitted, at high tide, into a reservoir behind the edifice, eighty feet in length, and fifty feet broad, from this it is also discharged at low tide, by means of a culvert, nearly five hundred yards in length, five feet broad, and four feet deep, which conveys the waste water again into the sea at Mill Bay.The establishment has been gradually progressing in value and improvement. So much money has been expended from time to time since its erection in important and valuable additions and alterations, that no interest has yet been paid on the shares, although the interest on all borrowed money has been discharged. Some shares were sold lately at twenty pounds each.The establishment contains eight hot baths, with commodious dressing rooms attached to them; these can be supplied with fresh or salt water, which is heated by passing a current of steam through the water after it has been discharged into the bath, or it may be heated beforehand by allowing the steam to pass through a large cistern filled with water for the purpose.There are two large swimming baths, seventy feet long, by thirty broad, having twelve neat dressing rooms attached; the one intended for the use of ladies is provided with ropes and other tackling, probably intended to assist them in the study of natation.Shower and Douche baths are always available, provided with hot and cold water; by means of the Douche a stream of water may be projected on any part of the body and continued for any length of time.For those who, swan-like, would bathe in perfect loneliness, there are provided two private cold baths, twelve feet by six.For cutaneous and other complaints, two Harrow-gate baths have been provided; one of these is equal in size to the warm baths, the other is smaller and intended for children.Slipper and hot baths, with hot water, are always ready to be sent to any part of the town on the shortest notice. There are two sulphureous fumigating, and hot air baths, which have produced very good effects in cutaneous affections, chronic rheumatism, &c., they may be considered equal in principle to any in the kingdom; and from the number of persons who have received benefit from them, after all other means had been tried and had failed, they are daily rising in the estimation of the public.The following are the terms of subscription: - …….……………………………………………………….£. s. d.
Tepid or hot bath,…………………………………….………………………2 6 A course of five tepid or hot baths,…………………………………………10 0 do. twelve,………………………………. ………………………..1 0 0 Sulphureous fumigating hot air, or camphorated bath,………………………3 0 A course of seven,…………………………………………………………1 0 0 Harrowgate bath,……………………………………………………………. 3 6 Vapour bath,………………………………………………………………….3 0 A course of eight,………………………………………………………….1 0 0 Vapour douche,……………………………………………………………... 2 0 Warm water, do.,……………………………………………………………..1 6 Cold do. do.,………………………………………………………………….1 0 Warm shower bath,…………………………………………………………...1 6 Cold do. do.,………………………………………………………………….1 0 Hip bath,……………………………………………………………………...2 0 A course of five,……………………………….……………………………..7 6 Private cold bath,……………………………………………………………..1 0 Do" three persons at the same time,………………………………………...1 6 Single persons, once daily, during a month,………………………………….8 0 Two do., at the same time,…………………………………….…………..12 0 Single person, once, daily, for the season,…………………………………1 5 0 Two do. do. do.,………………………………………………………..2 0 0 Ladies' schools, or families, not exceeding five persons at a time,…………..1 6 Large swimming bath,…………………………………………………………..6 Once daily for a month,………………………………………………………4 0 do. do. the season,……………………………………………………...15 0 Schools and families, not exceeding five, three pence each, all above that number two pence each.
It must be mentioned as reflecting great credit on the proprietors of this establishment, that they have erected hot and cold baths expressly for the use of the poor, a kindness which has been acknowledged by many with every feeling of gratitude.In addition to the supply of sea water already mentioned, the Baths are abundantly supplied with fresh water from the town main; and for the purpose of heating the water with which the hot baths are supplied, a large steam boiler has been erected; of sufficient power to force the steam to any part of the establishment, by means of pipes connected with it: this boiler is fed with fresh water by a pipe extending from a cistern, which is always kept filled, at the upper part of the building; the water is forced through this pipe into the boiler by its mere downward pressure.The Establishment is open, in the summer months, from six in the morning till ten at night; and in winter, from seven in the morning till ten at night.Connected with the baths are the elegantly fitted saloons of the Royal Victoria Spa. The public are indebted to the enterprise and liberality of Edmund Lockyer, Esq. for this most valuable addition to the advantages already possessed by the town.This medicinal spring was discovered by boring the earth, on a portion of Mr. Lockyer's property in Bath Street. It is more than three hundred and sixty feet from the surface, and is conveyed by pipes to the saloons in the Union Baths.Mr. J. N. Hoarder, having made many experiments on the water first procured, and having treated it by careful analyses, was the first who asserted and proved it to be a tonic and aperient fluid. […..] Most of the medical men in the town and neighbourhood speak highly of its valuable qualities.It is delivered to subscribers on the following terms: -For the season, 10s. 6d.; three months, 5s.; one month, 2s. 6d. ; single visits, 6d.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]
Format
Wood engraving
Dimensions
91x140mm
Aspects
Exterior
Counties
Dates
1834