Post by Leofwine on Jan 27, 2011 4:11:27 GMT
In the early 19th century an effort was made to turn Brompton and Gillingham into a premier Watering-Place (spa). In his 'Topography' of 1838, Wright extolls the virtues of the waters and the area, and then goes on to describe The Brompton and Gillingham Bathing establishment:
An effort has for some time past been made to convert this and the neighbouring village of Gillingham into a watering-place, and when we consider the numerous advantages and attractions which these places possess for carrying out such a prospect, we shall not be surprised to find them, in due course of time, rank amongst the most celebrated watering-places in the county of Kent. Various reasons may be adduced for contemplating so favourable a result. The locality possesses interest of no ordinary character; its contiguity to the populous town of Chatham with the celebrated Dock-Yard, and extensive line of fortifications; the ancient City of Rochester, with its venerable castle and cathedral; the beautiful windings and diversified scenery of the Medway; the saline properties of its waters, so necessary an adjunct to the merits of a watering-place; the salubrity of the air; its situation on an elevated tract of land; the shortness of the distance from the metropolis, together with coach and steam facilities, all combine to make up a strong recommendation in its favour. Here the invalid, as well as the visitor in pursuit of temporary relaxation, may at pleasure mingle in the animation of the neighbouring towns, or abstract himself wholly from this scene of bustle to enjoy the more quiet attractions of the surrounding country. “To the lover of military parade and pomp,” to use the words of a county journalist, “there are during the summer months frequent opportunities of gratification. Some part of the large garrison at Chatham may be seen every day engaged in the performance of military evolutions on the Lines (which are in immediate neighbourhood of the proposed site of the Baths), and occasionally the whole garrison is engaged in escalading or carrying on other arts of war. In the field-works of the Royal Engineers, may be contemplated all the operations practised in besieging fortified places, and usually one or two experimental mines are exploded during the period of these operations; and scarcely any summer passes without the animated scene of a sham-fight, or an attack and defence of one of the redoubts. At such times, and indeed daily, may be heard the marine band, always so highly and deservedly commended.”
The Brompton and Gillingham Bathing Establishment comprises at present a FLOATING BATH, moored near Gillingham Fort, purchased in 1837, by a company of shareholders of £2 each; and which, it appears, has been so far a successful speculation as already to yield a dividend of £10 per cent. This bath consists of ladies’, gentlemen’s, and children’s bathing rooms; dripping, dressing, and attendants’ rooms, with a railed walk all round the machine. This establishment has been highly patronized throughout the last season, the charges being moderate; and the proprietors have been encouraged to entertain a plan of extending the establishment next season.
The book also contained an advertisment for the establishment:
The Water here has been ascertained, by correct analysis, to possess the same properties at High Water as that at the Nore, andto be at all times equally pure and clear, a circumstance of material importance to all who Bathe, whether it be for the improvement of their health, or in pursuit of pleasure.
This newly Established Watering Place is situated on the Banks of the Medway, about 2 miles from Rochester, and nine from Gravesend, from whence coaches, vans, and other carriages, run almost every half hour during the day, while steam-boats, and other vessels, are continually passing and repassing the Bathing Establishment, and it is in contemplation to run vans, or other vehicles, to and from Rochester, Chatham, &c., and the Baths. The Inns and Lodging Houses in the vicinity, afford ample and reasonable accommodations to the visitor and lover of pleasure; while the beautiful walks and drives amid the enchanting and pleasing scenery of the neighbourhood, the continually varying scenes of amusement and interest to be found in the military evolutions of the extensive and well disciplined Garrison of Chatham, and the great variety of public works too numerous and too important to be mentioned here, combined with the well known salubrity of the air, and the superior efficacy of the water, so admirably adapted to the Valetudinarian, and Delicate Children requiring Sea Bathing, enable the Directors of the above establishment to anticipate, with confidence, an increased share of the public patronage.
The following is the Scale of Charges:-
s. d. £ s. d.
Warm Bath…………………………………….... 2 0 each or 1 0 0 per doz.
Superior Plunging Bath, for Ladies..... 1 0 “ 0 10 0 “
Plunging or Swimming Bath…………...... 0 6 “ 0 5 0 “
Ditto for children under ten years of
Age…………………………………. 0 4 “ 0 3 0 “
N.B. – A Waterman will be in constant attendance to convey the company to and from the Bath. – Proper attendance on board for Ladies.
Directions of individuals having apartments to let may be had at the principal Inns at Brompton and Gillingham, and likewise of any of the Directors, or at the Office of the establishment.
Brompton 1838
It was obviously off to a good start in 1838, but how long did it last? I've not yet found any more information about its fate, has anyone got more information?
An effort has for some time past been made to convert this and the neighbouring village of Gillingham into a watering-place, and when we consider the numerous advantages and attractions which these places possess for carrying out such a prospect, we shall not be surprised to find them, in due course of time, rank amongst the most celebrated watering-places in the county of Kent. Various reasons may be adduced for contemplating so favourable a result. The locality possesses interest of no ordinary character; its contiguity to the populous town of Chatham with the celebrated Dock-Yard, and extensive line of fortifications; the ancient City of Rochester, with its venerable castle and cathedral; the beautiful windings and diversified scenery of the Medway; the saline properties of its waters, so necessary an adjunct to the merits of a watering-place; the salubrity of the air; its situation on an elevated tract of land; the shortness of the distance from the metropolis, together with coach and steam facilities, all combine to make up a strong recommendation in its favour. Here the invalid, as well as the visitor in pursuit of temporary relaxation, may at pleasure mingle in the animation of the neighbouring towns, or abstract himself wholly from this scene of bustle to enjoy the more quiet attractions of the surrounding country. “To the lover of military parade and pomp,” to use the words of a county journalist, “there are during the summer months frequent opportunities of gratification. Some part of the large garrison at Chatham may be seen every day engaged in the performance of military evolutions on the Lines (which are in immediate neighbourhood of the proposed site of the Baths), and occasionally the whole garrison is engaged in escalading or carrying on other arts of war. In the field-works of the Royal Engineers, may be contemplated all the operations practised in besieging fortified places, and usually one or two experimental mines are exploded during the period of these operations; and scarcely any summer passes without the animated scene of a sham-fight, or an attack and defence of one of the redoubts. At such times, and indeed daily, may be heard the marine band, always so highly and deservedly commended.”
The Brompton and Gillingham Bathing Establishment comprises at present a FLOATING BATH, moored near Gillingham Fort, purchased in 1837, by a company of shareholders of £2 each; and which, it appears, has been so far a successful speculation as already to yield a dividend of £10 per cent. This bath consists of ladies’, gentlemen’s, and children’s bathing rooms; dripping, dressing, and attendants’ rooms, with a railed walk all round the machine. This establishment has been highly patronized throughout the last season, the charges being moderate; and the proprietors have been encouraged to entertain a plan of extending the establishment next season.
The book also contained an advertisment for the establishment:
THE BROMPTON AND GILLINGHAM
BATHING ESTABLISHMENT,
Consists of an elegant and convenient Floating Machine, with Warm Baths on shore.
--------------
BATHING ESTABLISHMENT,
Consists of an elegant and convenient Floating Machine, with Warm Baths on shore.
--------------
The Water here has been ascertained, by correct analysis, to possess the same properties at High Water as that at the Nore, andto be at all times equally pure and clear, a circumstance of material importance to all who Bathe, whether it be for the improvement of their health, or in pursuit of pleasure.
This newly Established Watering Place is situated on the Banks of the Medway, about 2 miles from Rochester, and nine from Gravesend, from whence coaches, vans, and other carriages, run almost every half hour during the day, while steam-boats, and other vessels, are continually passing and repassing the Bathing Establishment, and it is in contemplation to run vans, or other vehicles, to and from Rochester, Chatham, &c., and the Baths. The Inns and Lodging Houses in the vicinity, afford ample and reasonable accommodations to the visitor and lover of pleasure; while the beautiful walks and drives amid the enchanting and pleasing scenery of the neighbourhood, the continually varying scenes of amusement and interest to be found in the military evolutions of the extensive and well disciplined Garrison of Chatham, and the great variety of public works too numerous and too important to be mentioned here, combined with the well known salubrity of the air, and the superior efficacy of the water, so admirably adapted to the Valetudinarian, and Delicate Children requiring Sea Bathing, enable the Directors of the above establishment to anticipate, with confidence, an increased share of the public patronage.
The following is the Scale of Charges:-
s. d. £ s. d.
Warm Bath…………………………………….... 2 0 each or 1 0 0 per doz.
Superior Plunging Bath, for Ladies..... 1 0 “ 0 10 0 “
Plunging or Swimming Bath…………...... 0 6 “ 0 5 0 “
Ditto for children under ten years of
Age…………………………………. 0 4 “ 0 3 0 “
N.B. – A Waterman will be in constant attendance to convey the company to and from the Bath. – Proper attendance on board for Ladies.
Directions of individuals having apartments to let may be had at the principal Inns at Brompton and Gillingham, and likewise of any of the Directors, or at the Office of the establishment.
Brompton 1838
It was obviously off to a good start in 1838, but how long did it last? I've not yet found any more information about its fate, has anyone got more information?