2-888-619 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Cordingly's Floating Bath, 1850. 'A simple and ingenious novelty...for the convenience and comfort of those who may wish to enjoy a private bath in mid-day, on the Serpentine, or elsewhere...The bathing-place is situate at the stern, and is about four feet six inches wide, by six feet long, and from two feet six inches to five feet deep; the depth being regulated by the man, who, by working the windlass, can hoist or lower the bottom of the bath with great facility...the whole being enclosed with curtains. We understand it to be the invention of a working shipwright...We think such a convenience would be a delightful adjunct to many parks and pleasure-grounds, with a river or lake'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.