London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

City of London 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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68
There seems to have been no doubt as to the facts. Section 92 of the Thames
Conservancy Act, 1894, Sub-Section 4, forbids any person without lawful excuse to
"wilfully cause or suffer any offensive matter, whether solid or fluid, to flow or pass
into the Thames or into any tributary," but the final paragraph of the same section is
as follows:—
"Provided always that the Sub-Section (4) of this Section shall not extend or
apply to any vessel within the limits of the Port of London and under the jurisdiction
of the Port Sanitary Authority thereof."
This was the reason for passing the report of the police on to your Medical Officer,
but it does not appear that the discharge of oil from vessels lying in the river, in the
manner described in the report, would or could constitute a nuisance which should be
dealt with by your Committee under the Public Health Act.
In view, however, of the probability, in the near future, of an increased number
of vessels using or importing liquid fuel coming into the river, the question generally was
referred to Mr. Solicitor for his views upon the point raised.

Table: TABLE XXXVIII.BYE-LAWS—OFFENSIVE CARGOES.Fifteen cases of infringement of the above-mentioned bye-laws were reported during the year. In each case written notice was sent to the owners of the barges concerned:—

TABLE XXXVIII.

BYE-LAWS—OFFENSIVE CARGOES.

Fifteen cases of infringement of the above-mentioned bye-laws were reported during the year. In each case written notice was sent to the owners of the barges concerned:—

Date.Name of Vessel.Infringement.
1913.
Jan.1Dumb barge "Petunia"Laden with a cargo of refuse matter which was not properly and securely covered so as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom.
„24Barge "Hawthorn "Permitting the barge laden with an offensive cargo to remain within the district for a longer period than 48 hours.
„29Lighter " Robert"Laden with a cargo of fish offal which was not properly and securely covered so as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom.
Feb.7/8Dumb barge " Daffodil"Laden with a cargo of dung which was not properly and securely covered so as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom, and also remained within the district for a longer period than 48 hours.
April18Lighter " Extension "Laden with a cargo of road sweepings, &c., which was not properly and securely covered so as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom.
May9Lighter " Emma "Laden with a cargo of house refuse, road sweepings and dung, which was not properly and securely covered so as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom.
„9Lighter "Walter"Ditto Ditto.
„31Lighter " Exe "Ditto Ditto.
July24Lighters " George " and " Wandsworth."Ditto Ditto.
Aug.15Lighters " John and Sarah " and “Harry."Loaded with a cargo of sewage screenings which was not properly and securely covered so as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom.
Sept.11Lighter "John and Sarah."Ditto Ditto.
Oct.17Lighter " Beaconsfield "Failing to have the lighter thoroughly cleansed and deodorized within 6 hours after the discharge therefrom of an offensive cargo.
„21Lighter " Sloop "Laden with a cargo of refuse matter which was not properly and securely covered as to prevent any nuisance arising therefrom.