Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-16
THE AMBULANCE SHIP.
A Novel Hospital to Succor Those Wounded
in Action.

rs previously mentioned in news des.
patches recently, the United States gov
eminent has taken steps to secure a uni
que addition to our navy Ii is an ambu-
lance ship. which will take care of the
wounded IN action, as our modern cruiS-
ers are signally deficient in providing any
hospital accommodations for those in
jurcd in battle.
1t will be no light task that the ambu-
LANCE ship and her men will have to per
form. 1t is dangerous to be in the vicin-
ity of shot and shell, even though not the
target The crew, however. will have to
face death in order to save life. and
courage will be quite as necessary a req
qulSlte for the men attached to the am
bulance ship as for any member or any
mess on board cruiser.
1t has always been the case even under
the most advanced methods that during
battle. on board ship, it has been impos-
Siblc tn render Immediate aid to the
wounded. 1t is just this sort of aid that
saves life. for never is delay more dam
Gcrous than when it prevents ii wounded
man from receiving the necessary atten-
ton.
wounded on ships of war is Il subject
which is enGrossing the attention of the
naval authorities Of the world. The YES
sells to be utilized for this service must
be swift steamers of fairly good ctpac-
ity. so far as room for the sick is con
"crncd. and vet not of too large size to
prevent quick turning and rapid darting
around and among feet of vessels. The
treatment of the crew of such Il craft
would be precisely that accorded the Red
Cross brigade. II is an unwritten law of
every civilized nation that wounded
man and the man who aids him, are both
to be protected.
Again it is always the case in naval
conflicts that a large number of the men
who are injured are blown into the wa
ter. OftentimeS ii also happens that I'M
injured men fall from the rigging into the
ocean. 1t is Il curious fact that three
tifthS of the sailors in the different navies
cannot swim, and they therefore in many
instances drop from the rigging. or are
accidentally forced overheard during IA
battle. with just as sure death as to stop
IA bullet. Now the men on board the am
bulance ship will be looking for just such
accidents all the time and boats crews
would be instantly dispatched if such aid
We're needed.
An instance of the percentage of life
that would be saved by having boats in
constant readiness to aid men who have
fallen overheard and are drowning is
shown by the fact that during the last
naval battle between the Austrian and
Italian fleets. thirty years ago. more than
four hundred men were drowned who
could have easily been saved had an am
bulance ship been in attendance, The
facilities for saving men who go over
board during a battle are no greater now
than they were at that time The meth
DDS of naval warfare have become more
deadly, and the percentage of Killed is
frequently greater. but there is no abate-
ment of the confusion existing on board
Il vessel while in action, and no matter
what ideas are suggested there is moth
ing that will change the attitude of men
in naval battles from what 1T has been
for u century.
These facts taken into considerations. 1t
is held by the most competent naval au-
thorities that the necessity for the am
bulance ship is 50 plain that he who sails
may see. AS stated. the vessels used for
this purpose must be swift and easily
handled. OF necessity they must also be
tirst-claSs sea boats. and there is many
merchant steamer running out of Amer
lean ports today that will answer THIS
description to the letter.
| The plan that is suggested for the ship
| is TO devote the spar-deck. that is the
deck where there is the greatest amount
| of air, to the most serious cases of both
| officers and men. The additional wards
Will be located on the remaining decks Oh
| the vessel. AS it is always more or less
| close between decks. artificial ventilation
Will be provided by means OF a steam
| spray extracting apparatus. as well as a
steam fan blast that will pump in an ad-
| equate supply of pure air. In this way,
the atmosphere of this gigantic SICK nay
| will be constantly changed and purihed'
| and thus one of the greatest aldS TO ma
/ ture for the restoration of health be Sc
| cured.
/ There is no questioning the fact with
even semblance oil truthIuiness' thd'
the percentage of recovery OF injured men