New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-07
NEW ORLEANS MARINE HOS
PlTAL.

Secretary Boutwell, has communicated to
the United states Senate the reports OF the
Supervising Architect, Mr.. Mullett, and the
Medical Inspector of Marine Hospitals, Dr.
J. s. Billings, and himself says:
I would, therefore. recommend that au-
thority be granted this department TO dis
pose OF the present marine hospital prop
erty or to sell or remove the building and
sell the lot separately, AS may De deemeu
most advantageous for the interests OF the
government. I would also recommend that
the 'Sedgwick Hospitan buildings be trans
ferred TO the rnarino hospital establishment,
and that authority be given this department
to purchase AS much of the estate upon
which they are located as may be deemed
necessary, out of the proceeds OF the sale OF
the present marine hospital property.
DR.. Billings says this in his report:
SIR-I have the honor to report that
have carefully examined the iron building
erected for marine hospital purposes Ia the
city of New Orleans, Louisiana, and that II
is IN very bad condition. The location Is
bad. being low and subject to overflow, and
in September last there was ponu oi "Htei
under the building
1t can not be completed and nut in order
| without the expenditure of a greater sum
| than would be required to purchase ground
and build new hospital OF equal capacity,
| and much more satisfactory III Its arrange
| ment. ~
I am, therefore, satisfied that 1t will DC
best to abandon all idea Of using it tor ma
| rine hospital purposes, and to dispose OF II
| and the grounds either by sale or py CON
yerting 1t to some other use.
| Ibelieve that the interests OF the cepart
| ment and the government viii be 0est SUD
served by procuring for marine hospital pur
/ poses the establishment known as the Sedg
wick or Greenville Hospital, which was
| built during the war. In sanitary point o
| view its location is the best that could d
| obtained in the city-'t Is well drained, ane
| not subject to overflow. 1t consists OF {
| series oil one. story wooden buildings erectet
| on brick piers; is fitted up with pipes To-
water and gas. has gas works, . steam
| kitchen, laundry, etc.; in short, is one
the very best Of the army hospitals. INT
| ground upon which itstands is part of Thu
| estate of the late Marquis Foucher, and it i
supposed will soon be sold at auction.
In company with the Collector OF the Port
the Chief Quartermaster Of the department
and q surgeon OF the army. visited thl
hospital two weeks ago, and selected the
portion which it will be desirable to retain
for marine hospital purposes.
| Tne amount of ground required ls abou
twenty acres, the actual value of which i
from $1,000 to $500 per acre. As 1t il
known, however, that the government ma
become a purchaser, was informed that
combination would probably De formed t.
increase the price. =,
The buildings and machinery are wort
about $50 900, but will not sell for NOR
than $1,000 as estimated by the Chle
ouartermaster Of the department.
The technical difficulties in the way 0
purchasing it If sold at auction, are great
and its purchase should not be made t
depend upon the sale OF the Marine Hosplta
building and grounds. since 1t will take som
time to complete. such sale: and action, I
be Of use in regard to the Sedg"lcK hospiIa
property, must be speedy.
estimate that $40, ,G09 will be required t.
mt the hospital in order, transfer the steam
laundry from its present position tWhlc
is not on the twenty acres referred to) 10
nroper site, to fit up earth closets, and t
effect the changes in the water supply whlc
will be necessary under the proposed ar
raDgenent.
seryed AS necessary for government pur
Doses. and its value TO be fixed by az
nraisers. it would be the best mode OF dea
ing with the matter.
The buildings OF the Sedgwick Hosplts
will give ample accommodation tor w
hundred and fifty patients.
The number OF sick seamen usually undt
treatment in New Orleans is about seventy
ak. but this number Is liable to lncreas
Ia RELY during .epidemics. They are no
trpated under contract in the Chari'
Hospital, ana by an agreement Just mad'
| in thp Hotel D!eu. Their treatment unde
the present plan IS not satisfactory, and
| ia certain that the government ought
have :. marine hospital OF its own ID th
| city.