The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-25

THE HOSPITAL SHIP ILLINOIS.

Sunday morning last the eX.steamer Illinois. but
now entirely rehtted and made q model hospital
snip, was owed from the loot OF Thirteenth strcet,
North river, TO an anchorage In the Lower Bay,
where she Is expected to do good service for long
time TO come. The Quarantine Commissioners,
realizing the necessity OF this rehiting and
Improvement Of the vessel, set about 1t
early In the spring, but were cramped in
the matter OF funds 10 do the work with. Yet, not
dismayed, they put the whole job in charge OF Mr..
Charles IL. Haswell, the marine engineer, with the
request that all The old materials should be utilized
as lar as practicable This has been done, and The
steamer looks much like new one in every respect:
but there has been required constant attendance
and jealous waichfulness TO eject IL within the
bounds ALLOTTED by the commissioners.
her engines and boilers were entirely removed
ana 600 TONS OF stone ballast put IN tue lower mold
to steady her boiler ami donkey pump have pecn
placed Oh the berth deck amldsnps whicn wlli FUR
nlsn The power necessar, to pump the vessel cut
anu TO work the co denser intended TO
supply the fresh water Tor drinking, bathing
a aear oe anS att eHcep appe' the twe
companlouway houses, which have been materially
reduced IN SIZE and are now neat-lookinE struc-
lures. The masts have been Renewed a,d Jag
stans placed at the bow and Stern. the decks have
been lald anew and III the general oNeihaaiing
where any old sun conld be worked up, q was
done. Large ports have been cut IN the side, All.
uniting plenty OF air anu light on the man deck.
These por5s lonr by thee feet. There are
also two large gangway por6s, each SIX feet
by 1--WE feet, mat an eatrance be mad on both
sides or the vessel. Handsome side ladders have
rlso been provided. Tne arrangements for patients
of the most creditabe nature. Tniee large rooms
AT set APART FOR them, ana separate Stdieroom3
have also been lifted up Tor the same purpose. There
are twelve patent Sinks arranged upon novel plan:
one Kitchen capable OF supplying over "a thousand
patients with food, and another for the use OF Inc
surgeon and his stan. The berth deck, as arranged,
forms two cOmm0dous wards, being over 80 ieet
in length, 40 feet wide aud feet nigh. The after
portion OF the main deck Il set apart for the OF
the surgeon and his assistants. 1t Is fitted with
saloon. state rooms, dispensarv ana other essential
apartments. Again, outside OF this cabin,
OH either side, are a number OF rooms or
special wards for the use or conyae5ceut, ana the
Keepers quarters This deck Will be used Tor the
promenade Of the con salescents, and VIII he pro-
vlded with SOFAS chars aud other comforts Tor the
PATIENTS. The after part Of tile upper deck VIII he
lifted with an awning. AZ arranged the illinois,
IL Is held. very comfortably acC0nmO.
date with a wide space between each cot, over
500 patients, and, should 1t ever be necessary. might,
with perfect prOpriety, augment tins number 10
l,ODO. The external hull has been painted chocolate
color with u broad yellow band. As have also her six
boats. The wood work Of the main deck il painted,
while that Of the berth deck Is whitewashed.