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55
The following letter was sent to the Medical Officer of Health of all Riparian
Authorities between Fulham and Dartford Creek.
Deab Sir,
It is reported that several hundred carcases of mutton in a putrid condition are floating
in the river, either on the surface or otherwise, and are cast from time to time on the foreshore.
In case these become a nuisance in your district, I should be obliged if you can find means of
dealing with them on the spot, either by burial or by destruction. This source of nuisance
is so widespread that I find it impossible to deal with in the speedy way it may demand, and
therefore ask your kind co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
W. M. WILLOUGHBY,
Mediral Officer of Health.
Port of London.
On the 30th October a lighter named "Black Crow" was inspected in Dartford
Creek. This lighter was used for providing lodging for six men engaged in building
operations in the town and who were unable to find lodgings elsewhere. No nuisance
existed at the time of inspection; the contractor arranged for the place to be efficiently
ventilated, woodwork to be limewashed, and a man detailed off daily to clean the place.
The arrangement was a temporary one due to the lack of housing accommodation
The barge "Wumps," also inspected in Dartford Creek, was found to have five
persons on board—the Master, his wife and three children. The Master stated that
he was compelled to take the family on board owing to the impossibility of finding
housing accommodation.
FUMIGATION OF GUNNIES.
During August certain traders experienced difficulty in getting gunnies entered
to Buenos Ayres in the absence of satisfactory certificates of fumigation.
Your Medical Officer, on their application, undertook to supervise the disinfection
of gunnies. Closed barges were used, and sulphur dioxide was the fumigant.
At the time it was felt that the popularisation of, and education in, simple methods
of fumigation was valuable. The shippers undertook stowage and all other labour
involved. If such fumigation becomes a large matter, a Supervising Inspector's time
would be too much occupied in the extraneous work. The point was closely watched
by your Medical Officer.
A comprehensive charge of 3L 3s. was made on account of sulphur, supervision
and certificate for each barge fumigated.
LAUNCHES, &c.
"Lady Truscott."—The conversion of this launch to oil fuel was completed
in June, and the launch resumed duty on the Gravesend Station, with the " David
Burnett" in reserve.
"David Burnett."—A new whistle and feed check valve were fitted in January.
In March the tug "Sunrise" did slight damage by collision to this launch. The owner
of the tug reimbursed the cost of repairs, amounting to 19l. 10s.
"George Briggs."—The engines of this motor-launch were overhauled and
repaired at a cost of 180L In September the wash from a passing tug drove the launch
against a barge, doing damage to panels and glass windows. This was repaired at a cost
of 31. 15s.
"Ella Vicars."—This mooring barge was damaged by two lighters in February.
The owners of fhe lighters reimbursed the cost of repairs. A new boat was provided
for the mooring barge at a cost of 3 61.
DENTON HOSPITAL.
A donation of 25L was received from the owners of the Danish s.s. "Elisabeth
Maersk," through Messrs. Charles Gee and Co., in respect of the treatment of several
members of the crew of that vessel in Denton Hospital.