Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-26
From the Norfolk Herald, July 81.


As number of cases of yellow fever (tracea-
bic to the steamer Ben Franklin some of them
terminating fatally, have occurred in Gosport
recently, and as doubtless the most exaggerated
accounts OF the circumstance have gone abroad
we have deemed it our duty to obtain and pub
lisA correct statement Of the facts, from the
most authentic and reliable sources.
The steamer Ben Franklin, Captain Bynam,
from ST. Thomas, arrived at quarantine on the
It'll Of June. She was boarded by the Health
officer, to whom the captain stated that she had
had no case Of yellow fever on board; fire.
man had died suddenly from disease of the
heart, and the man who took his place had also
died of exhaustion with these exceptions,
the crew had been entirely free from disease.
The steamer remained at quarantine IL days,
and no Of sickness having occurred in that
time, the Health officer finding the vessel in
a Clearly condition, with the consent of the
Board of Health gave her permit to come up
into the harbor, on the 10Th June, upon the posi-
tive condition that her hold was not to be broken
out. Having contracted with party in Gosport
to have her work done there, she was taken up
to Page & Aliens shipyard, (next to the navy
yard wall.) There she remained 10 days, during
which period it is stated the captain violated his
engagement in having the hold broken out On
the 9Th of July, man who had been at work on
board of her was taken sick, and his disease
proved to be yellow fever. This was the first
case in % days after the steamers arrival. He
died on the 9Th of July, and the Town Councils
of Portsmouth Immediately convened and issued
an order to send her back to quarantine, which
was done forthwith, and she now remains there.
Following this case were number of others,
among whom were six of the hands belonging to
the steamer, who were sent TO the Marine Hospi-
tai, two of whom have died. In Gosport six
persons have died in all-incuding the man be-
| fore named, and the following is list Of their
names and residences:
| Mr.. Carter, of Richmond; Jacob M. Race
| New Jersey; Mrs. Duberry, Hampton; Frederick
Goodwin, Gosport, Miss Follins, Gosport.
| About fifteen cases remain under treatment.
As yet the epidemic has been confined to the
vicinity of Page and Allen ship yard, which has
been boarded up and all communication with it
interdicted. We have not heard of any case be-
yond this small infected district, which was not
contracted within it., and have no doubt that with
due precaution it will be kept confined to its pre-
sent limits, and soon cease for want of material
to feed upon. Whatever rumor may say to the
contrary, we can truly assert that both Ports
mouth and Norfolk entirely free from epide-
mics of every kind, and as healthful usual at
this season-in the latter will answer for il,
every precaution will be used to keep it so.
The Councils of Portsmouth, we understand,
have instituted Sanitary Committee, with pie
nary powers, 10 take any measure they may
deem proper TO remove the causes and prevent
the introduction of disease within the town. The
committee consists of the following gentlemen:
J. N. Shoolfeld, NJ. D., J. V. Pratt, and Geo. X.
Snead.
The committee, we are informed will publish
daily reports in the Transcript of the progress of
the disease