Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-22
GRANNY ISLAND
Will Be Transferred to the Cities
by the Sea.
Dr. wcrtenb baker, OF tho Marine
fIospitnl Service. isns Confer
cnce With tho Bond oil Control
Government OF station.

DR.. c. p. Wertenbaker, Of the u. S.
Marine Hospital Service. was in the
city yesterday to meet the Board OF
Control OF Craney Leland for the pur-
pose of hearing the desires of the board
relative 10 the transfer OF the island
from the Marine Hospital Service to the
cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
For some months past effort have
been made by these cities In secure
Crancy Island for tile purpose OF iso-
lating there contagious diseases.
Mayor Johnston inauSuratod the
movement, and he WAS seconded in his
efforts by DIR. Fl, s. ii sre. state quar-
anime officer of the port. With the as
sistance OF DR.. Wcrtenbakcr. who is
native Virginian. the Surgeon Genera
III the Marine Hospital Service was APP
pcaled to. and he promptly secured fthc
island and loaned ii to the TWO cities
The details of the transfer vii! take
several weeks. but within Il short time
the island will be in possession Of the
TWO cities.
The securing of Craney Island as a
pest island is Il great advance. and will
be of much service 10 the cities con-
cerned. as ii gives Il safe place 10 iso-
late any and all contagious diseases
that may arise in the district.
THE BOARD.
The Board of Control is composed as
follows:
Mayor c. Brooks Johnston, DR.. c. L.
Newbill, president of the Norfolk Board
OF Health; DR.. +. S. Hope. quarantine
officer: DR.. Grice. president OF the
Portsmouth Board of Health. and Mr..
Nathaniel Beaman. president of the
Finance Committee of the Norfolk
councils.
DR.. Wurtenbaker explained to the
meeting that it was the wish of Sur
geon-General Wyman. of the Marine
Hospital Service. that he fully learn the
plans and intentions or the Norfolk and
Portsmouth authorities i'll regard to the
ISLAND. Many are under the impression
that the island has already been turn
ed over TO these cities. but such Is not
the case. 1t has been transferred by
the Government 10 the Marine Hos
ptal Service and offered to Norfolk.
Portsmouth and Berkeley. but before the
transfer is made it is presumed that the
Surgeon-General will want assurance
that 1t will be properly equipped as Il
pest island. This assurance will be
given.
THE APPLICATION.
At the meeting yesterday the Board
of Control made formal application for
the island through DR.. Wertenbaker.
While no decision was reached as TO
the disposition of the island it was
clearly the sense of the meeting that
the island be divided into two parts
one part 10 be used by Norfolk and
the other by Portsmouth. 1t is not pre-
sumed that Berkeley will take any part
in the acquiring. control and equipment
of the pest station. since no action has
been taken by that municipality. There
are now five buildings on the island and
only nominal appropriation will be re-
puired to fit up the pest station. and
OF these five buildings it is proposed
that Norfolk shall have three and
Portsmouth two.
While there will be separation Of
the Norfolk and Portsmouth hospitals,
the entire island Will be under the same
general regulations.