Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-30
TWO TRIPS
Yesterday TO the Quarantine Station
Its Expense to be Borne
by the City.
The Sanitary Council Of the Mississippi
Valley Replaces the National Board
Of Health To-Day.

A visit to Presidents Island quarantine
station was made by representative of the
APPEAL Yesterday, Capt. Tom Caldwell, in
charge OF the Quarantine feet here, having
kindly rendered US a sest IN tbesteam lauoch
Sentinel, on its regular bl-weeklv visit to that
station. The Sentinel left the foot OF Beale
street at $50 o'clock yesterday morning, and
after stopping five or ten minuies at the feet
to take on supplies for e inspectors, went on
down 10 the station, which is located at the
foot Of the Island, about twelve miles below
the city. Tue risky little steamer runs like
frightened deer, and reached the station in
something Less than an hour.
THE QUARANTINE FLEET.
While at the feet we took occasion to
"look through" The feet consists of the
dispatch steamer H. h. Bepner and seven or
eight hospital and supply boats, all OF which
have been il charge of Capt. Tom Caldwell
the past three years. We found them all in
splendid condition. The Benner looked as if
she mad been newly painted, as did the no.
pital boats, but we we're assured by Capt.
Caldwell that no painting had been done
since they were laid up there last season, but
their bright appearance. was due 10 the in
dustry of his assis ants in their daily rou
Iine Of duties. The cabins of the Benner
were as "neat as a PIN" and ready 10 &c into
service at a moments notice. Her ma
cbinery was all properly protected from the
VT ather. Down in the hold not particle OF
dampness could be seen, and the decking
would rot have soiled a cambria handker-
chief. The evidences of cleanliness were also
observed on board the hospital boats, aud
particularly wss it remarkable on the supply
boats. These contained hundreds OF ten,s
and camping equipment, besides barrels and
carboys of disInfecting material-all care
fully and neatly piled and pack
weather. The decks and holds of these
boats were also as clean and dry as they
could possibly be kept, and all in perfect
state of preservation. Everywhere about
the fleet WIS observable evidences OF splen-
did discipline and good order so essential in
the management OF vessels in retirement
We were forcibly impressed with the convic-
ton that the government has acted wisely
in intrusting its property to the care oil
Capt. Caldwell, who is we'll known an e1-
perienced river man, careful and reliable
and scrupuleusly conscientious in the die
charge Of duties imposed upon him-the
right man in the right plsce.
AT THE STATION.
DC SENTINEL I1OeDlIal
Boat No. ~, which 10 moored at the station
ready for the reception Of any pereon sick Of
contagious disease that might be discovered
ON board of any up bound steamer. We
were met BY
DR. E. W. M'MILLAN,
OF this city, who has been assigned to duty
as inspecting officer at the station. DR.. NJ
MILAN stated that since the system of in
spection began on the 10Th OF May, 6tty-fouI
p ckets and towbosts had been inspected, and
oul of the whole number not a singie Case oil
a serious character had been discovered. Oc-
cssionally he fnds a person with m slarial
symptoms, aud sometimes effecs OF ever.
heat, but not csse requiring the enforce
ment OF quarantine regulations. To the
question 90 TO whether the inspector ex-
perienced any trouble in enforcing the regu-
la'ions, DIR. Mem liam replied that among
the packets he found no trouble whatever
but the towboats were sometimes disposed to
kick. But he had always carried out his in
structions 10 the letter. The rule has been
enforced up to this time only on boats com.
ing up from below Vickshurg, but DIR. Nc
MILAN expo cts soon to receive instructions tc
inspect every boat tina, passes his station
coming up.
THE STATION
consists of two buildings, one for The in
spector and his medical stores and stationery
and the other for bis aids and the property
Of the srvice. The buildings are all nicely
whitewashed and are kept neat and Clearly
Tins inspectors aids cons st OF four PERSONS
two oarsmen necess ry to Welt steamers In
mid Stream, a Waterman ami steward
They furnish their own p DIVISIONS and sp-
pear 10 enjoy their mole OF living. The grss
hiss been moved down, tb trees trimmed il
Refreshing breezes sweep over the point oil
the island, and one can hardly refrain from
the desire 10 spenl the GUNNER moulhs Oh
the spot. Half an hour was pleasantly
spent here, after which the reporter stepped
aboard the Mt mel for
THE RETURN TRIP.
1t took nearly thrice the length of lime Ia
CONF back as was consumed going down
The strong current at abe prssenI sage OF
water com pelled the iittfs vessel 10 hun, the
eddies and mug the shore closely, thus max
log the distance greater, besides having 10
contend against tie current.
A CHAT WITH THE CAP'N.
We secured seat alongside Capt. Cald-
well, who stood Al the wheel, on the way up,
and asked him great m Any questions sbonl
his experience in the qusrantIn- s-rvice.
Chow long have you been engaged in this
servlce?" we asked impertinently.
"A little over three years."
GLOW do you like ii?"
swell, pretty we'll. There's not much in
il, but 1t is pieas4n / like the system oil
management. ] know my business aud d
1t, that's the end Ct it. Since nv connection
with this service L have nev-r been repri
manded, nor heard OF complaint."
at is very confning, isn't III"
oil IN It,as IL.
business it takes all his tims if he does it
right"
"Do you live on the boat?"
"Not altogether, but 1 sm always there
when needed. | get down TO the feet about
5 or 6 o'clock In the morning, and if the
weather Is any way unsettled l stay there
and see that everything is kept in proper
trim. L have competent assistants-watch.
men and steward, and / don'l believe tn at
S25 worth OF the governments property hes
been lost since I've been 10 charge. Ny
vatchmen are faithful, and all of US man age
so that We can readily discover if anything
about The boat has teen tempered with"
"Your familiarity with the river business
ia OF great service to you, supposed"
"Of course it is | don't think anyone
but an experienced man would be Competent
for this position. We have to make two
regular Vlsl 10 the station every week, and
sometimes frtqueat special trips. II The
man in charge had no knowledge of the
businets, he would hive to employ one To al
did. 1t would be har-' TO fnd a com petent
man for the salary be could afford to pay
Ahd then il takes competent man 10 look
after The heet-keep the boats huiIs in or
der, look after her machinery and GU 81, see
thai they do not go to wreck while lying
idle, and hundred things that an incompe-
tent man would never think abou', and
would not know how 10 mausge if pointed
out 10 him."
"1n case the Ma ionsl Quarantine Service
is turned ever 10 the Marine Hospital Ser.
vice, what disposition do you tank will be
made Of this property-these steamboat,
hoapitals aud other property~
u suppose they Will all be turned over,
too?n
81 don't know anything about it, except
thai understand that application has been
made by DIR. Thornton to have this launch
and Hospital Boat No. IL retained here dur
ing the present season, 10 be used in connec-
ton with whatever system of quarantine
will succeed the National B lard's aG-;pis-
tratioD. But, as 1 said, don't know what
they are going 10 do"
This concluded The conversation, and an