I don't know much about the early 18th Century but certainly by the end of it Sea Bathing was very popular and obviously well-practiced in Liverpool.
William Moss (who was responsible for the very first visitors guide to Liverpool in 1796) amended his third addition in 1799 to be called;
The Liverpool guide; including a sketch of the environs: with a map of the town; and directions for sea bathing. By W. Moss.
I quote:
div>
...at Liverpool, where the fresh water from the river and the impurities of the town, are far enough removed above the town, at the high water, by the six hours strong flowing of the sea flood.
The Sea water baths at Liverpool, are, as before mentioned commodius and handsome. Each of the large baths forms a square 10 yards by 11; and there are smaller ones for private, and warm and temperate bathing. The temperature of the baths is sixty-two degrees in the summer season and fourty in the colder months.
Moss goes further to say that some families in Liverpool have become so accustomed to sea-bathing that a 'rum puncheon or a ship's large water cask' may be filled at 'trifiling expense' and that if kept out of sunlight and in a cool place the water may be fresh for up to two weeks - even if daily used by two or three persons! eugh!
Bookmarks