New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-29
A GOVERNMENT MARINE HOSPITAL.

A GOV ERNMENl MAXINE IlO'0i i'%A
BEDLOEs ISLAND TO BE USED BY The lHNA'o"-
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL HOSPITAL FOX inN
GoyERNmHNT MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE
For Eve Years mast the Marine Hospital Service
of the Government has felt the need of marine
bospital at this port for the benifciaries oil the
seamen,s Fund and the unanimous sentiment OF
the shining interests in reference to It's estaplsh
nont has been frequently pointed out by the
Surgeon General of the Service. Sailors III hoou
of hospital service have been sent 10 'ho
Roosevelt. Presbyterian, Bellevue, 81. 'lhcehtS
and New-York Hospitals. the Eye and Ear lnlirin-
ary of this city the Long Island, Brooklyn City,
ST. Peters. and Long Island College Hospitals OF
BROOKLYN; the Jersey City Hospital and the Sea-
mems Retreat. The difficulty experienced has been
in finding a healthy site, and the local hospitals
having influential men, often members OF Congress
on the Boards of Trustees have been able TO prevent
the establishment of general hospital at thls port.
Bedloes Island Was Horcd ,e EGn.
handing the Department of the Atlantic,
received an order from the Secretary of War TO
transfer to the Marine Hospital Service, through
Surgeon General J. B. Hamilton, the unused build
ngs outside Of Fort Wood, subject TO recall at any
time the Army might require them, 1t Is re-
marksble fact" SAID the late surgeon-General
Woodwork in his last report " that while marine
hospitals have, in the past history Of tine service,
been erected at many places where no sqeh pn,ld dr
ings were at any time required there mas never
Philadelphia or Baltimore
SurCeon-General Hamilton and DR.. EllinwoOd,
the surgeon of the service at this port yesterday
visited Bedloc's Island to make preliminary ar
rangements for its occupation. IL is intended TO
concentrate the local branches of the service, and
porfs in the Vicinity Of New-York, where sailors
will he likely to apply for relief and put t under
the charge of the officers of the Marine Hospital
Service. The Seamens Retreat, on staten Island,
will then be vacated by the Government and
turned over to the State, to whom II belongs. The
small office in the basement of the Custom
House has been in operation for many years, but
has been used simply as dispensaTy for
the treatment of patients and the preliminary eX-
aminations of those sent 10 the hospitals No less
than one-tenth of the entire number OF Denefclares
of the Marine Hospital Fund have been examined
in this office. The Secretary of the Treasury, upon
the advice of the Supervising Architect, has as
signed spacious apartments IN the proposed Barge
Otice at the Battery when completed, to succeed
That at the Custom House, which will make 1t the
model office OF the whole Service. Said an Olhcer
of the Service Yesterday 1t Is impossible 10 over
estimate the advantages which tins new hospital
will be to the shipping interests ana the GoNeiii-
ment The only reason can assign for the opposl-
ton to such project heretofore has been the annual
disbursements amounting TO $4,000 to the various
hospitals The service can be performed by our
own department at much less expense with greater
facilities and IN more satisfactory manner.
The Army records of the past twelve years show
BedlOes Island TO have been the heathiest military
post around New-York. The island Is twelve acres
I'm extent and $3.50 yards distant from the Battery
BY Joint resolution OF Congress, passed on March
3, 1877 portion of the island was designated LOT
the colossal statue of Liberty Enlightenlng the
World" and 1t was evacuated by the United States
troops in April following. Old Fort Wood occupies
the front and highest portion of the island, ana
il IS on this spot where the statue viii probably
be placed. In the rear of Fort Wood is twO-stoIy
baIrack new well-ventilated and fitted with baths.
ranges, etc post hospital and two cottages. these
can be made Immediately available Tor the accom-
mediation of about 100 patients, aud 1t is estimated
that it will cost very little to make necessary alter
atoms. II is proposed 10 run steam ambulance
launch from the new hospital to the Battery, as
often as is necessary also to connect the building
by telegraph with the Custom House and Police
Headquarters, so that in the event of an accident
of any nature the boat may be run to any wharf III
the city with medical assistance.