New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-24
THE RETURN OF The MAINE.
HOSPITAL SHIP AT SOUTHAMPTON
AFTER A SATISFACTORY TRIP.

Southampton. April 23.-The United States
hospital ship Maine arrived here from South
sAfrica this afternoon Unexpectedly early. A
small group Of friends of those on board awaited
her arrival and vigorously waved handkerchiefs
on recognizing Lady Randolph Churchill on the
deck Of the steamer
Lady Randolph who was in the best of health
Ryore blue serge dress and straw sailor hat
with a ribbon inscribed "A II. s Maine" I'M
snediately after thu vessel moored the Net
sey and other officers boarded the Maine. and
within an hour all the wounded
showed in ambulances and placed on board a
&ran bound for Netley.
Mrs Adair. Mrs. Ronalds Mrs. Blow and
Others Of the Executive Committee, with Mrs
BAKER, president Of the Atlantic Transport Com
soany. had intended give much more elebo
rate reception 10 the ship special steamer
had been secured TO take the party to the
Solent meet the Maine and escort her to her
dock but to the chagrin Of all the hospital ships
early arrival frustrated the plans, and the com
snittee, reaching Southampton found the
rMane already berthed at her quay. which was
Aovered with flags and decorated with banners
inscribed Welcome the Maine" and I'VE Re
tnember the Maine" entwined with American
and British flags On the arrival of the Ladies'
COMMITTEE the members boarded the ship and
Tnectionately greeted Lady Randolph. who was
as disappointed the others at the failure of
Jer friends plans.
The committee found the ship already emptied
OF the sick and wounded. The deck occu
pied by a group OF nurses in picturesque uni
FERNS AT the mizzenmast few the Union Jack
end Red Cross flag presented by the Duke of
Connaught before the ships departure. The
Stars and Stripes hoated at her foremost
In the course of interview Lady Randolph
Churchill spoke in glowing terms of the success
of the ship saving:
Everything has gone off splendidly There
has not been a single hitch a disagreement
with any one Our relations with the authorities
ns every possible facility and we had practically
a free hand.
The suggestion that the Maine returned in
consequence OF unsanitary defects or trouble
with her machinery is quite untrue. The ship
snd all connected with her are ali that could be
desired. but the Maine returned because since
the relief Of Ladysmith the hospitals have been
terribly congested and all hospital ships are
full
The progress of the patients on board has
sbeen most satisfactory. Most of them We're
scarcely able 10 more than crawl on board, yet
fortnight before the arrival Of the Maine here
sixty of the patients were discharged from the
hospital we brought altogether lJ1 men and
twelve officers. Fifty of these were surgical
cases. The enteric fever patients made wonder
tful recoveries under the American cold bath
Treatment. All board express deep gratitude
for the treatment they have received There
tvere three deaths during the voyage
Lady Randolph added that both her Wis
1ted her on the Maine, at Durham and concluded
with remarking that the steamer had a. good
Voyage. the weather being so fine that they
6ined deck nightly.
Later, Mrs. Ronalds and Mrs. Blow repaired
10 Netley Hospital to present to the patients
from the Maine gifts Of tobacco and pipes in
ecribed "a H s. Maine"