3-053-694 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Free swimming-baths at Derby, presented by Mr. Michael Bass, M.P., 1873. 'There are two baths, which are both swimming-baths - one for men and the other for boys...The baths are each 100 ft. long and 50 ft. wide...Attached to the men's bath are fifty-seven covered dressing-boxes, made partly to close, and other offices and conveniences, each box being fitted with seats and peg-rails. The boys' bath has covered bathing-sheds to accommodate seventy-two boys...The baths are entirely separated from each other. The attendant's office is at the north-west end, and commands a view of both baths from windows looking on to each...The swimming-baths are each lined with white glazed bricks set in Portland cement, and the bottoms are laid with Seyssel asphalte...each bath is now filled once a week with clean filtered water, which the Derby Waterworks Company, owing to the extension of their works at Little Eaton, are enabled to do at a mere nominal rate. The two baths hold, together, about 260,000 gallons. The works have been designed by Mr. George Thompson, the borough engineer and surveyor, and carried out under his superintendence, the entire cost being about £2500. Mr. Robert Bridgart, of Derby, was contractor'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.