see also Cassells Household Management - click here

SEA-WATER BATHS. - question of the possibility of providing a regular supply of sea-water to the metropolis for bathing purposes has long exercised the ingenuity of projectors. Indeed, things at one time went so far, that it was in contemplation to form a company to lay a gigantic pipe to Brighton for the purpose of turning the Channel waters on to London in much the same way as the waters of Loch Katrine are laid on to Glasgow. For the present, however, this and other schemes of almost equal grandeur remain in abeyance - possibly in consequence of that uncomfortable want of confidence with which the investing public has of late years been so much afflicted. It has occurred to the manager of the Great Eastern Railway Company that, if the sea cannot be brought to London wholesale, something might be done to organise its transmission by instalments. Accordingly, sea-water from Lowestoft will be delivered daily, except Sundays, at any station on the railway, or at any address within the ordinary cartage delivery of the Company in London or the country at one uniform price of sixpence for every three gallons (in London quantities of not less than 12 gallons) payable on delivery. The vessels containing the water are perfectly tight, well corked, and fitted with a handle to admit of their being easily carried upstairs; they are left by the Company's carmen, if required, for the convenience of the consignee, and called for afterwards without extra charge. Orders can be sent by post to the Sea-Water Office, 138, Bishopsgate St.Without, E.C.; to the stationmaster at Lowestoft, or given verbally to any stationmaster on the railway, or to the carmen when delivering or fetching the vessels. The water is got from the sea at Lowestoft by means of pipes extending into deep water. It is delivered by the Company between 8 and 12 in the morning, as, for the present, it is only brought into London by the night mail passenger train. If, however, it he found that this does not meet the requirements of the public, arrangements will be made for its conveyance by any passing train, so that delivery can made the same day as it is take from the sea. hotels, schools hospitals, and other' places London requiring large quantities of sea-water can be supplied by water-carts filled from tank trucks specially constructed to plying between Lowestoft and London.

Charles Dickens Jr. et al, Dickens Dictionary of London, c.1908 edition
(no date; based on internal evidence)