New-York tribune., 1900-01-01
AN ERRAND OF MERCY.
AN AMERICAN wOMANS DESCRIPTION
OF THE HOSPITAL SHIP MAINE
AND THE FLAG CEREMONY.


AS the hospital ship Maine is womans enter
prise Tribune readers may like to look at 1t
through woman's eyes. If 1 were man
should very likely dwell on the facts that the
Maine is cattle ship of 4,200 tonnage belong
ing TO the Atlantic Transport Company, and has
been refitted a model hospital ship by the
construction of two decks and three deck houses
at expense of between Els 900 and 10000,
and that moreover this is the first instance in
which a vessel of any nation has been dis
patched an errand of mercy for the succor
of the wounded soldiers of foreign countries. A
woman, however looks at an enterprise of this
sort in different way, and when 1 visited the
Maine last Saturday afternoon 1 was preoccu-
pied with the thought Of the merciful work she
was intended for, and was interested in the
preparations made for the relief and comfort
of the hundreds of wounded soldiers to whom
every American woman in England hopes that
she will minister before many weeks have been
passed,
found that nearly the whole space on the
main and tween decks had been divided in
five wards-the Bernard Baker, over the Co
lumbia, aft, and the Mrs. Whitelaw Reid over
the Britannia, forward, the Committee being a
smaller ward shut off from the others for the
use of cases requiring isolation. The whole
number of patients accommodated at one time
in the i've wards will be 21S The extreme cold
weather has retarded the work of finishing these
wards, most Of them on Saturday being un-
painted. Uttered with shavings and having their
various fittings only limited at. The one ward
offering really clear idea Of the intelligent and
loving with which they will all be fitted
up was the Mrs. Whtelaw Reid. This large,
airy ward is on the main deck. and. apart from
having the usual portfolios, is lighted by
ample hatchway. which is rooted with glass, and
can also be thrown open for air when the
weather permits. There are forty beds, in four
rows all of which provided with excellent
bedding. They have also patent contrivance
by which the patient can be raised into half
upright position. and fitted with invalid
trays, which convalescent can have meal
or write letter. Opening out of the Mrs. White
law Reid ward is large lavatory, fitted with
white porcelain bathtubs and washstands, sup
piled with hot and cold water. At the other end
of the ward is the only operating room, which is
the largest provided on a hospital ship 1t is
fully equipped with glass operating table.
R0ntgen ray apparatus. glass cases for instru-
ments and dressings and all the appurtenances
of this terrible, yet humane, department.
AS the Maine is known very steady ship,
| there is only one ward supplied with swinging
cots-the Bernard Baker All the wards have
electric lights and whirling ventilators and
there are machines for distilling water, COM
pete electric laundry and disinfecting cham
bers The orlop deck is entirely given UP to
stores and refrigerating rooms, these latter al
lowing for all gradatons of temperature to pre-
serve meat, fish, vegetables and fruit Electric
ity which has been unsparingly employed
throughout the ship, has been adapted to the
cooking grids and kettles. A fine promenade
| deck has been constructed with houses for the
| use Of Colonel Hensman and Lady Randolph
Churchill. The latter's charmingly
piano and writing table. The nursing staff has
comfortable quarters aft and a small saloon
for its special use. a.' r.
UNDER FOUR FLAGS:
The exterior of the ship is painted white with
a broad green stripe, which is the distinguish
ing mark between ship sailing a Govern
ment transport for the sick and wounded and
vessels equipped by recognized aid societies.
which are entirely white with the red Geneva
cross fore and aft. The Maine carries the red
cross her bows by the side of her name. The
same cross also appears on the yellow runnel
It is q notable point that this is the first ship
to sail under four fags-the Union Jack, the
Stars and Stripes the white flag with red cross
of the ambulance service, and the blue ensign
with the Admiralty gold anchor. indicative Of
special service. The members of the committee,
in addition to generous contributions of money
and unwearied efforts in organizing various
popular entertainments for the benefit of the
fund, have added personal gifts for the COM
fort of the soldiers whom they hope to succor.
A large number of superior deck chairs have
been presented as well gay cushions and
pillows and library of more than two thou
sand volumes has been contributed, mostly light
literature, suitable for convalescents' use.
Many of the visitors to the Maine last Satur-
day. including the Duke of Connaught aadi the
ladies of his party, stopped on the wharf to in
spect the fine ambulance which drawn up
near the ship. This ambulance is the personal
| gift of Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, and combines the
latest improvements for the removal of the
| wounded, with army stretchers and supplies for
| field use. One of the nurses told that the
| naming of the Mrs. Whitelaw Reid ward
! done by unanimous consent, because while
| other ladies have given large sums of money
| and as generous contributions. Mrs Reid has
| worked harder and devoted more time to 1t than
! any other American woman"
| Supplies of every sort are pouring into the
| ample storerooms. One large provision dealer
| has sent a mammoth contribution from his
| stores and others have contributed large guam
titles of medicines, surgical supplies, tobacco,
cigarettes etc. One of the most recent gifts is
that of ten thousand pots of jam. No hospital
ship has ever been so well equipped and pro-
visioned as the Maine will be.
AN AMERICAN STAFF.
The staff of this splendidly equipped vessel IS
commanded by Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel
Hensnan of the British army medical service,
| who represents the War Office. Otherwise the
whole medical staff, male and female, is Amer
! lean. with United States non-commissioned Off
GERS acting under the direction of Surgeon Ma