The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-27


ments on board each separate ship. Since
this is impossible. a single case may be
noted, as an illustration of the expedi-
ents devised-the temporary sick bay on
the superb first-class battleship Indiana.
The lHdiana's regular sick bay. used in
time of peace, is on the forward berth
deck, and is so small as to be capa-
bic Of accommodating comfortably only
three swinging cots. Besides being en-
trely inadequate in size, it would be in a
dangerous and incOnvcnient place in bat
tie. For the temporary sick bay in an
action the junior officers quarters. just
forward of the wardroom, on the berth
deck would be used.
Adjoining these, the junior officers
messroom, and its adjacent pantries. etc.
which are within the citadel" or armor-
ed part of the ship. could also be made
available. To reach this temporary hos
pital the wounded would have to he low
cred through the hatch. They would have
/ 10 be transported 10 the hatch either by
! means of one OF the various hammock
! devices which have been recommended,
/ or by the primitive but quick means of
/ being carried in their comrades arms.
( The men working the 6-inch guns on the
! main deck would be in the most exposed
positions, and though many of these
would be at a long distance from the
; hatch. they would have TO be conveyed
/ there in some way if possible. The men
! in the turrets are not so dangerously
/ placed but it would be still harder to get
/ them to the temporary sick bay, if the
necessity arose. They would either have
! to be taken out through the one door in
! the turret and be carried from there to
! the hatch or it has been suggested that
they might be sent down inside the tur-
! ret by way of the ammunition hatch
! They would find themselves, at the bot
If in fna
they would have to be laid somewhere
out of the way until such time as a sur
geon or attendant could dress their
| wounds.
! Nevertheless. with all these devices, in
/ the heat of the action it would be i'm
possible to carry away more than
( part-prObably u small part-of the
wounded. The only thing to do would
be TO place them behind the turrets or
in the shelter Of anything that could
serve as a protection. If there were
time, and men could be spared for it,
the wounds of the injured could be tenn
porarily attended to by some of their
companions. for the seamen are drilled
! and instructed in the bandaging of cutS,
/ the making of tourniquets and other
principles of first aid to the injured But
it is always to be borne in mind that a
warship IS intended first of all for fight
ms and that the suffering of Individual
wounded men cannot be regarded at the
expense OF hindering the work OF the
rest of the crew at the guns.
The regular sick bay on board the mon
| tor Terror. now lying off Tompkinsvile
! Is situated on the main deck under the
pilot house and just aft Of the forward
! turret. 1t is about IS feet square. lighted
by two port holes and by electric lights.
and can accommodate half a dozen cots,
| slung from hooks in the ceiling It's
rrTTarNR
pital, including a bath tub, with a fold
ing operating table attached: an ordinary
table, a full set of surgical instruments.
an antiseptic outfit splints. bandages an
spothecary shop and other accessories.
But, owing to the exposed position on the
deck, this room could not be used during
an action. At that time all the men would
be below, and if at the beginning Of the
engagement there CHANGED to be any pa
TENTS in the sick bay. they would be car
ried below, too. and put in their regular
hammocks. The Terror sick bay may be
! regarded, in fact, a kind Of temporary
structure for if more available deck
space were needed the sick bay could by
the removal of a few screws and bolts,
be cleared away bodily. In a fierce en-
! gagement the whole structure, if not re-
moved, would be in danger of being shot
away, so that its unfitness for occupancy
al such a time IS evident. After the bat
tie if the sick bay remained intact. some
of the wounded might be carried there t.
have amputations performed or wounds
dressed, but these attentions might also
be given below. the choice of place de.
pending upon various circumstances.
Owing to the lack of hospital accom-
, modations on the vessels of the Navy,
the plan of having ambulance or hospi-
tai ships to accompany them in time
of war has been frequently and emphat-
ic.l lIroad bN naval aufboTifia. in the
last two or three years No provision
for these hospital ships has yet been
. made, but those interested in the subject
hope that the project will be at least
partly carried out, now that increased
appropria tons for the general defenses
. of the country have been made.
1t is recommended that the Hospital
ships. even one of which would be oi
which would be of great assistance to g
, large squadron should be specially con.
, structed at high rate of speed, or that
swift merchant steamers Should be ex.
! pressly fitted for the purpose. They
, would sail under the protection of The
Red Cross. thereby gaining immunity
! from attack by any nation, and, in return
. this, would render aid to the wounded
not only Of United So ties ships, but alsC
Incidentally to those Of any other coun
. try who might be in need Of relief. II
time of peace, it is observed. such a yes
, sci could be used as q training snip fOl
a naval hospital corps which in tim'
must be established. The ambulanc,
ship would also take part in squadron
eyolutions, to give the crews of the war
ships practice in transferring 20 it thei
. wounded at sea. Another use which, i
. is pointed out, the hospital should serve
would be TO rescue the crews of sinkin;
war vessels. As an illustration of this
il is recalled that the vast number o
r4t h. ,a,
, YEen was sunk at the battle Of the YAH
might have been saved by the timely al,
Of an ambulance ship such as has beer
described.