Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-20
THE. TRIP OF THE MISSOURI
Interesting Experience on the Army
Hospital Ship
Report of Major Arthur of the Medical
observation-disclosures Weather, but
Vessel Proved Quite seaworthy.

Surgeon General Sternberg has received a
report from Maj. William H. Arthur of the
medical department giving an account of
the trip Of the United States hospital ship
Missouri, which left New York October 2
last and, after short stay at Manila, pro-
ceeded to San Francisco, where it arrived
few days ago. Soon after arriving at
Manila the wards were put in order to re-
ceive the sick, and by December IL 10
cases were under treatment. These came
from the first and second reserve hospitals,
from tho supplementary wards, from the
hospital ship Relief and from the front at
Bacoor. 1t was found, however. that the
ship was not very comfortable for the sick
while lying at anchor in the hot weather.
The heat in the wards was at times ex-
cessive and cross ventilation through the
ports very unsatisfactory while the ship
was not in motion. 1t was therefore con-
Guided to keep the majority of patients on
shore until the vessel was ready to go to
sea.
|. Two men died while the ship was in Ma
Mia harbor-one of consumption and the
other of dysentery. Two more men died
subsequently during trip to Vigan, where
the ship was sent after patients. The Mis-
souri, returned to Manila December % Pa
tents were sent in rapidly from the shore
hospitals and the hospital ship Relief until
December 81, when there were 2SS patients
on board the majority Of whom were i'll
with dysentery and diarrhoea. In compliance
with orders from Chief Surgeon Greenleaf,
the Missouri started December 81 for San
Francisco, via Nagasaki and Honolulu.
Trying Weather for the Sick.
Major Arthur says that the weather be-
tween Manila and Nagasah was trying.
High winds and head seas retarded the
progress of the ship and made the patients
uncomfortable. 1t became quite cold as
highe. Ia
Undertaking was issued to all the patients
overcoats were also supplied to those able
to be on deck A part of fund of S75 con-
tributed by the National Red Cross Society
OF Pittsburg was expended in buying a
number of wicker reclining chairs for the
convaleScentS deck These proved a
great comfort and We're in constant use es-
peeially after the ship reached lower iati-
tudeS and warmer weather. The ship
reached Nagasaki January Z. One case
died on the way and six at Nagasaki. All
the fresh milk that could be procured was
purchased and its use confined strictly to
the serious cases. The ship was coaled,
the tanks filled with fresh water a supply
of fresh provision obtained and a telegram
sent to get all the fresh milk that could be
found at Kobe, and on January IL the ship
sailed, passing through the inland sea of
Japan, stopping an hour at Kobe for the
fresh milk, and reached the open Pacific
during the night of the 18th.
Rough Passage.
A good deal of rough weather was en-
countered between Kobe and Honolulu
severe squall struck the ship on the night
of the Goth. but" says Major Arthur, 1.-THE
ship behaved very well, shipping very little
water, and though the rolling and pitching
were considerable, all the motions were
easy, and the patients suffered remarkably
little. No one was injured during this
storm, and, except for the fact that it was
necessary to close all and Sky1iphtS
no serious inconvenience was experienced,
For less seaworthy ship the conss-
quences might have been quite serious
COaIing Mt Honolulu.
Honolulu was reached January %, and
found to be an infected port, plague having
been declared epidemic. Yet 1t was imper-
atively necessary, Major Arthur says, to
obtain coal there. Stringent orders were is
sued forbidding all communication with the
shore. and were enforced by constant
watch kept up night and day. No one was
allowed to go on board except the pilot and
the health officer. The ship was coaled
from lighters, though it was necessary
the harbor being very open one-to bring
the ship close to the dock, where there was
some protection. Major Arthur says much
time was lost waiting for a vacant berth
and 1t was not until February 2 that the
ship put to sea again. BY that time the
ships bottom had become very foul, and
her speed considerably reduced. Though
there was considerable sea running when
the ship left Honolulu, Major Arthur says
the patients did not suffer much inconven-
!ence. and the weather soon became fair,
and remained until the vessels arrival
at San Francisco, February ID.
There was nothing whatever In the report
bearing upon the alleged unseaworthiness
of the ship and it's alleged mismanag ement
by Major Arthur, which are said to have
caused a controversy between the ships
Off1rarc Moi Arth
are the subject of an official investigation
now in PROCESS in San Francisco.