The times., 1898-07-04
HOSPITAL SHIP SAILS.
Noble Women HurryinE to Aid the
Wounded.

Wounded.
New York, July 3.-Fully equipped
as a first-cIass hospital ship, the Relief
sailed yesterday afternoon for Santa
GO Gen Skaters call for a hospital
ship and medical supplies hurried the
departure and many of the finishing
touches will be put on the vessel while
she is on her way TO Santiago.
The Relief can make sixteen knots an
hour, and it is thought she can reach
Santiago in four days. Besides the ac-
commodations which the vessel pro-
vides for 500 wounded, there are all
sorts of supplies which can be used by
the temporary hospitals on land.
The time for sailing had at first been
set at a. m, and at that hour large
number Of the friends of the nurses and
medical staff were on hand to bid them
farewell. II was found that the Relief
could not possibly get away until after
noon.
From II o'clock a. M until the time OF
sailing, 2;30 p. m, the dock was crowd
ed with hundreds of people who came
TO witness the departure of the finest
hospital ship in the world.
Despite the intense heat, men, women
and children rlsked sunstroke and stood
patiently. hour after hour, waiting to
see the relief off.
A large proportion of the crowd had
friends aboard the vessel and there was
a tinge Of sadness about the farewells.
Still, the news OF the battle at Santiago
made everyone feel that the start ought
to be made at once. The farewells were
made in a cheerful and hopeful spirit,
and only here and there did some moth
er or wife furtively wipe away the tears
that would flow.
The relief presented a very pretty
sight as she lay at the dock waiting the
signal to move. She was pure white
from stem to stern, except a broad
stripe Of green above the water line.
Within white was the prevailing COL
or. The rows of double decked cots
were made up with snowy coverlets and
pillows; the furniture of the operating
room was of white galvanized iron, and
the nurses fitted about in uniforms of
dazzling white The big white awning
spread over the hurricane deck made
the vessel look like some huge bird
with outstretched wings ready to fly.
When the vessel finally got away,
there was a hearty cheer from the
crowd on the dock, and the nurses and
others waved a CHEEKY farewell. The
steamers and tugs in the East River
added a deafening salute of whistles.
The women nurses were the attrac-
tion all the morning among the visitors.
Their friends came to say goodbye, and
visitors could not resist the tempta-
~ a 10
young women were enthusiastic about
their work.
Il wish we were at Santiago now
said Miss Lampe, of Bellevue Hospital,
4 know the wounded must need US. l
think every one of US feels very proud
and glad that we We're chosen for this
work. l have no fear of the climate,
and l hope my experience may be of
Value to the sufferers
Mrs. John Addison Porter, wife of
Secretary Porter, came on board during
the forenoon and announced that she
had decided to accompany the nurses to
Cuba. Mrs. Porter is very enthusiastic
over relief work, and feels that she will
have a better idea of what is wanted
if she goes to the front and observes
the actual conditions The nurses i'm
mediately installed her at the head OF
their mess and were delighted with the
interest which she displayed in their
work. Mrs. Porter took her first lessons
in relief work from Clara Barton. of the
Red Cross, but will not confne hel
study of relief work to any one associa-
ton.
The scene in the neighborhood of tn;
Relief was an animated one all morn
| ing. Workmen We're busy putting the
finishing touches to various portions OF
the vessel. Messenger boys rushed her5
| and there with flowers, packages ot
| books, and all sorts of parting gifts
Members of the crew fitted about ir
their white duck uniforms and begged
| for any number of last visits on shore
| Attendants proudly escorted visitors
| over the vessel and explained every
| thing from the steam launches attached
| to the hurricane deck to the ice-mak
| ing plant in the hold. The Relief ha:
| been an object of special interest to tbs
patriotic people of this city. and il
seemed as if everybody was anxious t
see her started properly on her import
| ant mission.
The vessel is practically new, havins
| been in use only year. She was bull
| for carrying passengers and freight oil
a New England coast line under tn,
name Of John Englis. She is 32S fee
long, of 40 feet beam. and her tonnag,
is $500.
Nearly all the fittings of the passen