Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-22
SHIPS FOR INVALIDS.
The Comparative Merits Of Steam and
Sailing Craft.

From the Lancet.
correspondent writes: 81 am glad to see
in the Lancet an article saying SO much in
favor OF sea voyages but / think you have
omitted one very important point viz, the
very great advantages Of a sailing ship over a
steamship, such as the greater cleanliness
freedom from smoke and, especially, the
freedom from the most unpleasant oily smell
of the engines; also the greater size Of the
cabins. Ispeak from experience of a voyage
to Australia and back in sailing ships, from
which derived much benefit. was lately in a
steamship and WAS greatly surprised at the
difference; 60 where l would on the ship |
could never escape from that oily smell Of the
engines. The food on the sailing ship was
very good indeed"
Exigencies of space forbade q comparison of
the merits of sailing vessels and steamships in
the article TO which our correspondent refers
The point is, however, well worthy of atten-
ton, and the advantages of a sailing vessel
enumerated above are real and important
sailing vessel is usually cleaner. uuieter and
roomier Tin proportion to the number of pas.
sengers) than a steamer, and on long sea vow.
age the importance of cleanliness quiet and
space can hardly be over-estimated II nc
other considerations had weight it would not
be difficult to lay down the rule that for In.
valids sailing vessel should always be pre-
ferred to a steamer.
But the question is more complicated than
our correspondents letter would seem to indi-
cate A sailing vessel is open to the objections
that the voyage Is sometimes very prolonged
and monotonous, that the detention in the hot
and moisture-laden atmosphere of the belt OF
Gains may extend to q week or a fortnight ana
is a very trying time, and that few or no oppor-
tunities are afforded for touching at ports to
obtain fresh vegetables, fruits. DC Some ami
N oko thriv III
sea and their flesh remains agreeable and nu.
tritious. but sheep and bullocks, not to men.
ton chickens, turkeys. &c, nearly always show
more or less deterioration in the quality OF
their meat after q few weeks at sea-
Steamships with their ice chambers can sur.
mount this disadvantage, but it is generally
more or less felt on sailing ships. above all II
the voyage Is very prolonged. There is an.
| other point that must be kept in view in con.
sldering this question: viz: That steamships
are more and more driving sailing ships out OF
the trade, and that the choice among the
former ID very much wider than among the
latter. We mention these facts in order tina,
the pros and cons of the case may be kept be.
fore our readers, but We by no means wish &c
imply that steamships should generally, and as q
matter OF routine, have the preference over sail
ing vessels. Much will turn upon the patients
malady, and upon his general constitutional
state and usual mode OF life. For serious case,
(when such can be prudently sent to sea at all
salIlng vessel, always provided that reason
able comfort can be assured will generally he
preferable. Life on a steamship is too much
like life in hotel to suit such cases. Again, II
the patient be specially DESTROYS of perfect rest
and quiet, sailing vessel will best meet the
case.
On the other hand, if the case be one mainly
requiring change and travel, If the patient
likes company and must have variety and
amusement, and if he cannot be content with
out very liberal and constantly varied dietary,
then frst-class steamship will probably please
him best. Some patients, again, want ito see
the world" and take great delight in the vari-
GUS calls made at different ports. Such per-
sons must remember that sailing vessels hardly
call anywhere, and very commonly make the
long voyage to the antipodes in a single run.
Probably well-appointed yacht affords the
best type of what is most desirable for travel
ers by sea- and while such is only at the dis
pOsal of very limited number of patients it
is possible that invalid ships" which are now
becoming a recognized institution, may be
gradually approximated in some degree to this
type.