Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-27


naval preparedness plans which the
layman Is likely to
Naval HOSPITAL overlook is pro-
vision for caring
1AoVlslonS. for sick and wound
ed afloat. But Uncle Sam has not over
looked this need, and his naval sur
geons and naval constructors are work
ing on preliminary designs for the most
modern of hospital ships in the hope
struction.
1t Is a peculiar fact which the sur
Igeons and sanitary experts of the navy
are bringing to the attention of Con-
gress. that while the government has
built, and is constantly building, for its
various medical services hospitals on
land embodying the latest and most
improved facilities, equipment and con-
veniences, it has never built from the
keel up a ship especially designed for
hospital use. This is true, in spite of
the fact that even in times of peace
there is always a higher sick rate on
shipboard because of congestion than
among the members of military estab-
llshments ashore, where more COM
modlous living quarters are avafla bio
and where exercise is more easily had,
and that modern naval fighters are ex-
posed in war to even more destructive
hre than fighters on land.
The United States hospital ship
Solace, which gave such important
service in Mexican waters during the
occupation of Vera Cruz, has been
pointed to to controvert statements as
to our unpreparedness to care for sick
and wounded afloat. Members of Con-
lsress who have taken the trouble to
make Inquiries, however. have found
that the Solace is the only seaworthy
hospital ship the United States pos
sesses, that her seaworthiness Is moth
ing to boast of. and that she was not
built for hospital ship at all, but is
an altered merchant ship built twenty
years ago. Making merchant ships into
hospital ships is no more satisfactory.
naval experts point out, than revamp-
ing. office buildings. dwellings or fac
tories into hospitals on land.
In the past the navy has never been
adequately supplied with hospital ships,
even Of the converted type, and on
more than one occasion it has been
necessary to detach from the fleet bat
tleships, torpedo boats and even COL
be properly cared for-to transport
patients to hospitals in the United
States.
In many cases. also. the sick and
Wouiueu are cared Tor as best they
may be on their own ships. One of the
greatest needs for hospital ships, it is
pointed out, is to prevent this very
practice. Not only are the other mem
bers of the ships company subjected
to danger in the case Of CONTAGIOUS
diseases, but they are disheartened
and discouraged. it is found, both in
peace and in war. when surrounded by
SICK, wounded and dying comrades.
The plans of the navy's medical Of
hcers for better provision for the sick
and injured of the service have been
carefully worked out after study of
Japanese hospital ships during the
Russo -Japenese war and observation
OF the important part played by such
vessels in operations by the allies
about the Gallipoli peninsula and in
the transportation of wounded soldiers
across the English channel
The present plans call for at least
TWO new especially designed hospital
ships, one for service along the Attain
TIC coast and the other in the Pacific,
me lack of such ship along the
racine coast has been felt most keenly
while naval vessels have been station
ed in Mexican west coast waters.
In addition to the special hospital
ships the navy also wishes provision
made for the rapid acquisition when
needed of merchant vessels that can he
altered for use as ambulance ships or
medical transports. Vessels of this
type can be satisfactorily used for
such temporary service to the sick. II
IS SHOWN, even though they are not
adapted to permanent use as HOSPITALS
forces.