The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-01
TYPHOID SHIP IN PORT
Thirty-twO Of the COnnecti-
cuts Crew Have Fever.
NOT ONE IS CRITICALLY ILL
Battle ship Reaches New York from
Cuba with Fifteen Patients from
Other ships-sOuree of Fever May
Be Traced TO BrOOkIyn--Epidemtc
broke out About February 4.

New York, Feb. 2S.-Wlth thirty-two
cases of typhoid fever among her seamen
and marines, the battle ship Connecticut
arrived at the Brooklyn Navy Yard from
Guantanamo to-day, and at once pro
ceeded to SEND her sick oversize TO the
yard ambulance waiting on the Cob dock.
The condition of no man was what a
physician would call critical, the malady
appearing aboardship in a mild form. and
il was believed that in only two, or at
most three. of the cases would an acute
crisis occur.
OF the fever patients all We're members
Of the battle ships crew, while, in addi-
ton. there were in the sick bay of the
vessel fifteen men from the fleet on the
target grounds off the Cuban coast, suf-
cering from various disorders of a minor
nature. After coaling and taking on
stores. the Connecticut is expected 90 re-
turn to Guantanamo Bay 10 begin pre-
liminary target practice.
May Dry Dock the War ship.
II is possible however. that the Navy
Department, having the battle ship in a
yard with all facilities for observation
handy, may order her into dry dock 30
ascertain the extent of the damage sus-
tained by the vessel two months ago when
she struck a reef of CUlebra. But Capt.
Swift does not contemplate such an or
der, and viii probably be disappointed If
it comes, since he is desirous of per
fecting his men in gunneTy. He regrets
the misfortune which compelled him to
bring his ship North just at a time when
preparations were about to begin for the
final tests in craftsmanship on March =.
As to the ship herself the officers were
certain that she had sustained no marked
injury through contact with the reef in
Target Bay. The crew of the battle ship
extricated her from her precarious posi-
tion, and since that time the Connecticut
has steamed nearly .oo0 miles. SO it is not
seriously feared that. the vessel will be
ordered into dry dock.
'Typhoid?" said one of them as he hur-
ried from the gangplank TO assist his fell
lows in making fast an extra bowine.
Sure, lots Of IT, WheTed we get it? Why.
in Brooklyn-Brooklyn sewage is the
thing responsible for this
Conversation with other sailors revealed
that such was the widespread conviction
among the crew, and while the officers
would not commit themselves, it was ap-
parent that they did not regard this solu-
ton as far out of the way. In the first
place, the epidemic began before the Con
necticut had reached Southern waters. the
first case being noted some time before
February l. Other cases were noted from
time to time until on WashingtOns Birth
day, February p, 50 many new typhoid
patients were put on the sick list that il
was decided to send the vessel north. Ty-
DhOid. it is said. may take from three
weeks 10 sixty days to develop, which, If
true. would indicate that the disease
germs originated in Brooklyn. the battle
ship having left there in January.
Cases Not Dangerous.
we have no serious cases of typhoid
aboard, or rather no critical cases." said
Capt. Swift. a scholarly looking man,
with the wide jaws, keen eyes, and griz-
zled beard of the fighter, however.
THE fever, of course, is dangerous, and
men through their own carelessness or
lack of attention at crucial moments are
liable to relapse. But none of our sick
with the exception of two or three may
be said to be in danger of passing through
a critical stage. We are not anxious
about a single case a good many of the
sick are boys under twenty, a time of life
when they seem especially susceptible to
this Elalady, which, fortunately, is usually
mild Some time about February the
first case appeared, and several more oc-
CURED from time to time until on Feb