Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-22
VESSEL IN QUARANTINE
CAPT. CUSHING MEETS SCHOONER
WITH SMALLPOX ABOARD.
Letter From Commander Of Revenue
Cutter Rush, Dated at Dutch
HarbOr, Alaska.

Capt Shoemaker, chief Of tho revenue
cutter service, has received q long and in
teresting letter from Capt. Gushing of the
revenue cutter Rush. 1t is dated at Dutch
Harber, Alaska, July 10, and is as follows:
ION the 18th, we were ready TO start
out on a cruise again, the surgeon reported
a case of smallpox on a schooner from
Nome to Seattle that he had boarded
This vessel had fifty-four passengers and
seven of a crew on board. As prompt
action was necessary. I Immediately
marked out quarantine station at Hog
Island, Captains Harbor. point some five
miles from here Ghis island is unfnhabited
and good water can be obtained on iD.
Il then went on board the schooner my
self, taking with me our own surgeon and
the marine hospital surgeon a young man
who had just arrived the day before at
Dutch Harbor, hoisted our quarantine flag
on the schooner saw the patient, who had
then broken out with the disease all over
his face and ordered the master to take his
vessel to the quarantine grounds After
the doctors had vaccinated every one on
board the master took the vessel to quaran-
tine, where she Is now, had a tent put up
for the patient on the island, bedding and a
stove put in and one of his fellow passen-
gers, who had studied medicine, volunteered
to take care of him.
THE marine hospital surgeon has taken
hold of the case now. and when we return
from our cruise If the man is better and
there is no further spread among the rest
We will release him.
The Danger Incurred.
Il think did right in taking hold of this
case. 1t will never do for the smallpox to
get among the natives for Ii would wipe
them out of existence and paralyze this
place for a time a coaling station.
Then, again, it would have been inhuman
to send the schooner to be at at least
thirty days, crowded with people. have the
disease break out, maybe take off the mas
ter and mate and leave her helpless.
The marine hospital doctor is in a bad
fix-hospital not ready, no medicines, and
it will be some time before they do arrive.
At his request, / have today supplied him
with what medicines he requires, with lie
understanding they will be returned when
his arrives.
This is only so we will not be short, as
every place we stop there is a constant
reauisition for our medicines and surgeon.
both on vessels and on shore. AS the
son advances and the crowds flock out of
Nome they are going to have many in
fected vessels arrive here, and it will re-
quire constant vigilance to keep it from
getting on shore. The only thing is that
when the cutter is away everything be-
comes chaos, the orders from her being
the only ones people pay any attention to
in this country.
Whaling Bark in Distress.
While we were busy with our smallpox
vessel the master Of the whaling bark Gay
head came to see me, he having put in here
in distress, with half his crew ill, second
mate dead, two others dying. AS the
marine hospital surgeon was too busy, sent
our own surgeon to his assistance, who
treated eighteen cases Of different diseases,
some very serious. The same night took
the Rush alongside of the American ship
Jabez Howe and lowed her in to the n.
A. G. Co.'S dock. The coal supply was
about exhausted on shore and the Howe
arrived with 2,6HD tons, just in time
She was big ship to handle, drawing
twenty-five feet of water, but we brought
her in and put her alongside the dock in
good shape. The lack of coal here would
be very serious condition for vessels, as
everything stops here. over 6000 tons was
taken from here in about three weeks
time.
IF nothing of moment turns up by to-
morrow, will go out to the island again.
Machinery still bothering US, and it has
kept Howison busy the last two days. VIII
write you on my return from next cruise.
All well on board and everything right