Swim Gallery

Boys Swimming, Training Ship Mercury, River Hamble, Hants

Boys from the Training Ship Mercury swimming nude in the River Hamble. The Mercury, established in 1885 by the London philanthropist Charles Hoare, was originally based at Binstead on the Isle of Wight, but moved in 1892 to the River Hamble, near Southampton, where shore-based premises were also provided. Boys aged 12-15 were trained in seamanship, with many going on to join the naval services

© Mary Evans / Peter Higginbotham Collection

Endell Street Open Air Swimming Pool

A view of the open air swimming pool in Endell Street, Holborn, London, on the site of Holborn Borough Council's Public Swimming bath which was pulled down in 1938 in preparation for the building of a more modern bath. Reconstruction was prevented by the outbreak of war and the cavity of the old Bath became a static water tank to aid fire-fighting during the blitz in London. The wartime decontamination centre, seen behind the pool surmounted by the Borough's Coat of Arms, provided dressing accommodation for 200 persons an hour. Now part of the Oasis Sports Centre

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Cult of Nudity - sunbathing fashions, 1930s

Page from The Sphere reporting on the growing vogue for sunbathing fashions, particularly backless swimsuits - a style that began at the fashionable French resorts of the Riviera and Biarritz but was spreading, according to the magazine to the UK. Date: 1931

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

1930s, 30s, Back, Backless, Backs, Bathing, Clothes, Clothing, Costume, Costumes, Fashion, Holiday, Lying, Revealing, Seaside, Sep15, Skimpy, Suits, Sun, Sunbathing, Suntan, Swim, Swimsuits, Swimwear, Tan, Tanning, Thirties, Women