New-York tribune., 1901-08-06
SAVE THE OLD VERMONT.
MANY PROTESTS RAISED AGAINST PLAN
TO DESTROY HER.
DIR. ALvAH H DoTY SCOUTS IDEA THAT
SHE is GERM LADEN - RETIRED
NAVAL OFFICER TELLS HOW
TO PRESERVE HER.

The old receiving ship Vermont may not be
broken up for junk. The first angry mutterings
Of what is likely 10 he mighty protest were
heard yesterday. Many people already ridicule
the suggestion OF the department officials in
Washington that the Vermont is soaked with
disease germs. DR.. oliver Wendell Holmes
saved "Old Ironsides," as the Constitution was
called, by penning a patriotic poem. That IA
NOUS ship is anoat to-day. II would not be a
wholesome proceeding for any one to advocate
breaking her up for her copper and oak It was
suggested yesterday that If the Vermont is
loaded up with microbes the Constitution is in
even worse condition. and that Nelson's old
flagship the Victory. almost worshipped by Brit
ish tars, must be doubly and trebly soaked with
them.
AS matter Of fact the disease germ theory is
regarded by many prominent physicians as the
silest nonsense. The proposition TO destroy
the Vermont came with all the suddenness Of a
shot from ambush. The prediction was made
yesterday that before the week is out the idea
will be regarded as the scheme Of a thought
less official devoid of patriotic sentiment
CAN BE EASILY CLEANsED.
DR.. Doty. Health Officer of this port. who has
made an exhaustive study of dislnfection, said
yesterday:
There is no ship n our navy that need d. be d.. de
mont could easily be cleared of any germs that
might be in her by a thorough fumigaton with
sulphur dioXide. II is absurd 10 say that the
wood is so impregnated with the germs Of disease
never. as I understand. been used as a hospital
and she certainly has not lain in water that would
soak her with disease
II II ? Vermont had lain outside Of one Of the
rivers of Cuba at a place in the harbor Of
Havana where she would have been in the way Of
sewage that contained the germs OF yellow fever
her hull might have become saturated with
disease germs that Il would be necessary build
that part anew. There IS no assertion made-th7t
the hull is impregnated. but rather yhat the In
terror woodwork OF the vessel Is full Of germs.
Even II the old vessel had been used as a hos
pitsl snip, or had Al some time been filed with
persons suffering from infectious disease there
would be no danger. Germs not only easy 10
Kill. but II is difficult 20 keep them alive. After a
reasonable time has elapsed succeeding the dis
rase the germs die from contact with the air, and
even II the vessel had some time ago been filled
with the organisms which convey disease there
would now be no danger.
For many years now the vessel has lain I'm clean
waters and could not possibly have gathered dis
germs. / can see no earthly reason for de-
stroying her II Is possible that we may need A
better vessel for receiving ship. but II so we can
nave II without destroying this relic OF early
naval history
OF course. do wish 10 appear as opposed To
any move that the authorities may see fit to make
and there may be reasons for the destruction OF
the Vermont with which / am not familiar.
II II could be true that the wood in the vessel
were impregnated with germs there is no possible
the steam. which would be the only method OF
fumigation. would not penetrate far enough into
the wood 10 be effective. But germs do not where
he material is dry wood penetrate to the interior.
It is impossible for the alleged hypothesis of alb
solute impregnation TO exist.