Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-07

Cromwell line. She was selected by Surgeon
General Van Reypen, after careful consider
alton, and was speedily converted into a
floating hospital, being the first of its kind
in the history of naval warfare.
The Solace sailed on her mission OF mercy
early in the war and has been in constant
use attending the blockading fleets and car
rying the sick and wounded to northern
hospitals. AS BELTS her duty, she carries
no guns nor weapons Of any kind. The hull
is painted white, with a wide and promi-
nent strip of green along the sides. which,
with the Red Cross flying from the mast
head, is supposed to convey It's identity to
the enemy. Every possible comfort and
medical contrivance can be found in the
spacious wards. Two large steam launches
form a part of the equipment, and an eleva-
tor has been constructed in the bow for the
speedy conveyance of the wounded to the
operating room.
Provision for the Sick.
The latter was formerly the large for
| ward saloon on the saloon deck. 1t is splen-
didly adapted for the purpose, the light and
ventilation being perfect. The dispensary
Is located in a convenient stateroom, and
an adjoining stateroom has been fitted up
as a bath. The operating tables are of the
best make, and all the appliances for the
| care of the wounded are of the latest i'm
proved pattern. Wounded officers are cared
for in what was formerly the saloon on the
main deck. The sailors ward is forward
of this, and the hold has also been prepared
with hunks in cases Of emergency. For the
comfort Of convalescent patients the wo-
mems steerage is fitted out with tables and
bookcases.
A well-equipped laundry and a modern
disinfecting plant form a part of the Solace's
contribution to medical progress. Surgeon
Thomas H. Streets, u. S. NJ. with a care
fully selected staff and a corps of trained
men nurses, look after the i'll and wounded
from the different fleets. The vessel itself
is under the command of a naval officer.
The War department lost no time in fol
lowing the example set by the navy, and
| shortly after the Solace was placed in COM
mission the steamer John Englis OF the
Maine Steamship company was purchased
and converted into an ambulance ship. Under
its new name, Relief, it Is an entirely diff
ferent vessel. The military authorities had
the benefit of the navy's experience in fitting
out the Solace, and the Relief Is therefore
equipped to better advantage. There are
five wards in the latter craft, two on the
promenade deck fore and aft, two on the
main deck. and another on the after berth
deck. Fully 500 wounded men can be &C
commodated, the wards alone taking $50. The
interior fittings are the finest procurable,
the wards and operating rooms being covered
with rubber thing. The ship carries an ice
plant capable of producing 200 tons a day,
a disinfecting plant, and a complete electric
plant for incandescent lighting. There is
also carried a carbonator for supplying min
eral water, which Is assuredly a decided
novelty in steamships of any class. In the
laboratory of this remarkable vessel will be
found several X-ray outfits to aid in locating
bullets, a microscopic department, and a
well equipped Photographic dark room. The
Relief, like the Solace, is painted white, and
has an olive green band along the sides,
The surgical staff consists of an army surgi-
cal director, eight assistant physicians, and
a corps of hospital stewards, and thirty
male and female nurses.
Work of the Refrigerator Ship.
In close touch with the relief of the i'll
and wounded of a military force is the care
of the we'll. The maintenance of health
depends directly on the quality of food and
water supplied to the soldier and sailor.
This question early received recognition
from the authorities in Washington. and
the result was the fitting of several store
or supply ships for the preservation and
transportation of food.
These refrigerating vessels, for that is
practically what they are, have proved to be
the most valuable additions to our modern
navy. With their aid the system of feeding
a ships company has been entirely changed
for the better. Admiral SIMPSONS fleet OFF
Cuba has been regularly supplied with fresh
meat and vegetables, and the crews, instead
Of being compelled to subsist on naval salt
horse" find their mess kids filled with
choice cuts OF beef and mutton. That Jack
will fight better when well fed is a self.
evident truth.
At present there are three Of these novel
ships. or 'pantries," as the facetious nava
officers call them. They are the Supply
Settle and Glacier. The Supply. formerly
the Illinois, a well known American liner
was the first TO be fitted out. She is now
with Admiral SIMPSONS feet, and the splen-