Charley Lawson, remembers being a boy in Red Hook in the 1920s.  A student at PS 27, his waterstories include a lot of swimming, including "down the farm," which was what Beard's Erie basin was locally called. 

Charley Lawson's memories: 

I remember the fun we kids had running up and down on the screened air vent on the Paint factory across the street from the school or looking in at sawdust shed at W. 9th and Hicks Sts. and we never failed to linger awhile at Hultgren Barrel Shop at Bush and Hicks Sts. to see the busy coopers make and repair barrels…I remember when this little shop went up in smoke…

…The old swimming hole was a joy and most everyday would find us kids at Keelehers sandy bottom, and when we grew bigger we had our swims "down the farm," which was a bit dangerous for kids.  Then, too, we hired rowboats from Billy Bakers and sailed out adventuring. We had to leave shoes or some parts of our clothes at Baker's as security…

…Then one day of the year was "Launching Day," when most of us kids, if we remember the date, would stay away from the Long Dock, but most often we forgot, or not forgetting, we went for the adventure, and got thrown over, clothes and all by the big fellows…

... CHARLEY LAWSON. 625 88th St., Brooklyn 9

Check the tags below for more on "Beard's Farm," "Long Dock," "memories," "P.S.27," "swimming" ...