The Baths

The Baths. . This quay was built by Mr. W. Inman in 1878 and was formerly known as the “Inman Quay.” The original plan was to erect a series of seaward jetties on this site however this portion of the plan did not come to fruition with the result being that the quay would never be utilised for any significant maritime purposes. The quay was however put to a variety of significant uses throughout the years., The Baths, Following many decades of discussion in the late nineteenth century relating to the perennial proposal to build Public Baths in Queenstown, it was decided in the early 1890’s by the Town Commissioners, under the chairmanship of Joseph Grogan, that Inman Quay was the most suitable site for construction. Successful negotiations took place with the owner of the site, Captain William H. Rushbrooke, following which he stated “I shall be very willing for the benefit of Queenstown to hand over Inman Quay at a nominal rent of £5 a year to a company who shall take in hand the erection of the proposed hot and cold sea water baths and the conversion of the remainder of the quay into a place of resort for amusement, etc. etc.” Plans and specifications were drawn up by Mr. Coakley (Civil Engineer). The project cost was estimated at £2,000 of which Captain Rushbrooke donated £500. The “Baths” were constructed in 1897 and officially opened in June., The Power House and Marine Transport Services, The premises adjoining the site of the public baths was the “Power House” which was built in 1907–8. The tall shaft, still standing today, was part of the coal-powered generating plant which provided the town’s electricity supply prior to its connection to the national grid. In later years the well known local employer, Marine Transport Services, operated from a premises at the rear of the building., The US Naval Men’s Club, Following the entry of the United States into the First World War on April 6th 1917, the first American Navy ships to be deployed to the European war zone were a division of destroyers commanded by Joseph K. Taussig. These ships arrived in Cobh (then Queenstown) on 4th May 1917. US Servicemen would be based in the town throughout the duration of the war and they even had their own Servicemen’s Club built, “The US Naval Men’s Club,” situated next to the “Baths.” This building consisted of Billets, Music Room, Billiards Room, Gymnasium, Recreation Room, Tea Room and a Cookhouse., Dance Hall and Cinema, During the 1930’s and 40’s the “Baths” were converted and used as a dance hall and cinema. The ballroom was situated at the rear of the cinema and had several names during its life, one of which was “The Tower Ballroom.” The cinema also had several names over the decades the last being “The Ormonde Cinema” which finally closed its doors in 1992., (Captions) , Fig 1.1 , The “Baths” with “Power House” to the rear. Fig 1.2 , View of Marine Transport Services from the harbour. Fig 1.3 , The US Naval Men’s Club. Fig 1.4 , Sailors having a meal in the US Naval Men’s Club. Fig 1.5 , The Ormonde Cinema.