Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-01-26
INTERSTATE QUARANTINE SITE.
An Array of Reasons Why Bombay
Hook Island Should be Selected.

Question for Public Sanitary Reasons--
Why bombay Hook Island is Best
Adapted.
Editor Gazette: In the Morning
Neaos Of January 18th appears a com
munication from Washington, headed
Quarantine at lteedy Island" in which
are several misleading statements, which,
in view of the grave Importance of the
subject, il were well TO correct.
That Cape Ilenlopen is unsuitcd for a
quarantine station, by reason of the ex-
posture of vessels detained outside the
cape, needs no argument. The testi.
mony of all officers of vessels will con-
firm the fact, but the proposition to
establish boarding station at Reedy
Island and erect at that place ware
houses, pierhead, disinfecting plant,
hosting apparatus, &c, would certainly
endanger the citizens Of Delaware at
both Port Penn and Lewes. At the
former by reason of close proximity to
the mainland, and the open water
which would permit bringing the
excuta, garbage and bilge water to the
shore or mainland at Port Penn. 1t is
stated by Professor A. N. Bell, gentle
man of long experience as a naval sur
geon, land the first to use steam as a
disinfectant for vessels,) that the cpl
dcmic of yellow fever in Brooklyn
originated from the garbage and otlal
from the ships in quarantine at Graves
end bay; hence the probability Of com
mdnicating contagious or Infections
diseases is alarming, when we consider
the proposition to use Reedy Island, as
made by their correspondent.
1t Is stated by naVigators of the Della
ware, that to anchor many line steamers
between Baker Shoals and the north
end of Reedy Island, will elrectually
obstruct the passage of all large vessels
at that point, owing to the comparatively
restricted channel. And, again, it is
well-known that spring tides overflow
that part Of Rendy Island unprotected
by entertainments and the small area
upon which the lighthouse stands, at
portion embarked.
To establish hospitals at Lewes for
the treatment of sick and to hold, in
the present enclosure (500xl 900 feet)
persons suspected" is, in the opinion
of modern expert physicians, simply
inhuman and must jeopardize the citi-
zens Of Lewes, and our entire State; by
the Escapes from such detention or
Conservation camp"
The writer further states ~ may say
here that SO great has been the desire of
the three states interested, viz Penn
sylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, for
well-protected quarantine site that
commissions have been appointed by
two of the states to select said site; but
the results Of their labors has been
negative, save in the choice of Pea
Patch, portion of Fort Delaware, one
Of the important military defences Of
the bay, which the War Department
will not turn oyer to them" &c.
The committee appointed by the gov
| ernor of Delaware to confer with the
commissioners of the Pennsylvania
State Quarantine Site Commission, after
this joint examination of all the sites
| proposed as suitable for quarantine
station in the Delaware river and bay,
have reported Bombay Hook Island as
having all the essential physical requis-
ties for modern quarantine station.
The Pennsylvania commissions with
exception of one member, who objects
| to the large area only have also re-
| as superior TO all others. for the follow
ing reasons: The wide bav affords safe
and ample anchorage for fleet of Sims,
| The island is long and narrow, fronting
upon Delaware bay for seven miles, and
II large area above the highest storm
tides; it is surrounded by salt water, is
separated from the main land by old
Duck creek and u wide expanse of
impenetrable mud marsh overllowed
by flood tide; II is connected with the
main laud by TWO long causeways and
the track Of the Baltimore L. Delaware
Bay railroad only; it is about midway
between Cape tIenlopcn and Phlladel-
phia, and Immediately opposite to the
terminal of the New Jersey Southern
railroad at Bayside, N. j.
This island, the state of Penpsylyanis
will probably propose to purchase from
the several owners if the State Of Della.
ware will consent thereto. and in con.
sideratlon of such consent Pennsylvania
will furnish quarantine service 70 Mi
vessels bound to any mort in the State
of Delaware. free Of cost tn Delaware
and if The State Of Delaware shall al
anv time hereafter desire IN maint,i,, q
State quarantine, the state of Pennsvl.
yania shall convey to Delaware sncr
portion of the island as NAV he MIR.
chased by Pennsylvania Al Inc exaci
cost of purchase and Improvement oi
the same,
By The bill recently nassed Inv III,
Senate of the United State Senotc iii iii
No. :. 7O7 section o, gives 10 III Fejers
pnvernmcnt the right IN nnrcl,al. - -
the states any local ouarantinc nt :
reasonable comnonsation 80
It is but humane to continue a r.yo
bo.,;toI a. g. IIa,,it''' naNa