Bathing habits in Victorian East London.

Abstract

• Opsomming: Vir die inwoners van Oos-Londen was swem nie slegs 'n sport nie, maar 'n periodieke noodsaaklikheid a.g.v. 'n tekort aan water. Vanaf 1873 het die dorpsbestuur regulasies neergelê om swemure, swemdrag, en veral aparte swemplekke vir mans en dames te bepaal. Hierdie regulasies was te konserwatief en te beperkend vir die inwoners van die kusdorp en hulle het oor 'n tydperk van etlike dekades die regulasies wetlik beveg of bloot geïgnoreer. Eers teen 1906 toe gemengde baaiery toegelaat is op voorwaarde dat mans en dames swemklere dra, is die saak besleg.

• Summary: Swimming was not only a sport for the residents of Victorian East London, but due to periodic water shortages, sometimes a necessity. From 1873 the town council promulgated measures to control swimming hours, apparel and especially separate swimming areas for men and women. These regulations were too conservative and constraining for the taste of the residents of this coastal town and for several decades they were the subject of legal battles, or were simply ignored. The dispute was finally settled in 1906 when mixed bathing was permitted with the proviso that both men and women should wear suitable swimming costumes.