'Extraordinary Bathing Scene' at Deal

Deal Mercury 20 Sept 1879

EXTRAORDINARY BATHING SCENE. — An aquatic equine and elephantine display of a singular character took place at the south end of Deal on the mornings of Sunday and Monday last, which caused roars of laughter amongst a numerous crowd, whom curiosity quickly attracted to the unusual scene.

Deal Beach, South End

On Sunday morning about fifty horses belonging to Messrs. Sanger and Sons' circus, were brought out from Mr. Ewell's field in South Sandy-lane for the purpose of taking a bath in "the briny deep." On arriving at the boatmen's stage at the top of South-street, near the Skating Rink, they were about to go down the beach, when the boatmen protested against this (what they considered) encroachment on their grounds; and not only used words of strong import, but also threatened to send for a policeman to stop the threatened invasion of their premises.Undeterred by these threats, the circus men persisted, coolly remarking "It will take more than one policeman to prevent us." The animals were soon safely over the rough pebbles and into the sea, where they appeared to enjoy themselves immensely, but to the evident chagrin of the owners of the boat stages. 

On the following morning the men and horses again appeared on the scene, intending to do their aquatic performances in the same place as before. But the best-laid plans are often frustrated: a strong detachment of "salts" being posted on the spot, resisted this second attempt at invasion with such success that both bipeds and quadrupeds had to "skedaddle" to another place rather more difficult of access. Thus the boatmen for a time achieved a victory; but it was only for a time, for in an hour the circus men again appeared in the field attended by six ponderous elephants. 

The boatmen made a vain attempt at resistance, their war-song being "move off," but the chieftains of the elephant brigade cried to the forces under their command, in stentorian voices, "move on." This order the elephants obeyed with the utmost alacrity, completely routing the boatmen and spectators, who retreated as if they had been charged by a herd of buffaloes, leaving the elephants and their attendants completely masters of the situation. The huge animals were soon in the sea, and proved themselves swimmers of no mean pretensions. Completely burying themselves in the water, the ends of their trunks being only now and then visible, they fully appeared to enjoy the luxury of sea-bathing, so much so that the keepers had the greatest difficulty in getting them out. Arriving on terra firma, they posted themselves against the wall of the Skating Rink, and soon collected sufficient copper coinage to have their portraits taken by Mr. Bridge, whose photographic establishment—the Victoria studio—is adjacent to the Time Ball Tower, and who probably never before had taken a photograph under such peculiar circumstances. 

The whole affair was of the most amusing description, the spectators being evidently delighted with the unexpected divertisement, which fortunately ended without any misadventure.We understand the reason why the boatmen objected to the animals passing over their property was in consequence of the disarrangement of the beach, which they always keep in first-class order. A neighbouring bathing machine proprietor said that Messrs. Sanger had not only committed a trespass on the boatmen's grounds, but had rendered themselves liable to a penalty by infringing the bye-laws of the borough, which distinctly stipulate that all bathers shall be provided with bathing drawers, or other efficient clothing.

The Sanger in question was John, brother of the better known 'Lord' George Sanger. The brothers started out in partnership, then amicably decided to go their separate ways. 

A couple of weeks before this incident, Sanger & Son were advertising in the Thanet Advertiser that they would be at Ramsgate for one day only:

200 HORSES and PONIES Nine Elephants, Six Camels,

Four Dromedaries, a number of Zebras, Llamas, &c., &c., 

and the most powerful company of 

EQUESTRIAN ARTISTS

Ever organised in any country 

Mr BURKE, Master of the Horse, will drive

FORTY IN HAND each day during the GRAND PROCESSION

Two Performances daily, afternoon at 2.30, Evening at 7.30.

Reserved seats 3s; Boxes 2s; Third Class1s; other seats 6d.

The skating rink was next to the Time Ball Tower. The site is now partly occupied by the Regent Cinema. The rink was for roller skating, which was considered an acceptable activity for young men and young women to do together.

OS 25 inch 1897

Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

On the same page as the article quoted above, the Deal Mercury reported:

The skating rink is more than ever popular; not only is it well attended every evening, but a numerous company may be seen both morning and evening enjoying the promenade, or more actively engaged on the 'rollers'.... We believe Mr Outwin has engaged Mr Tebby's excellent band... to play for the coming week. We may add that, albeit the price of admission is so small, no-one need be afraid of visiting the Rink, for the utmost vigilance is observed by the managers; anyone found committing the slightest breach against the rules of propriety will be summarily ejected from the establishment. 

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