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43
The work of Dr. Williams in this matter was timely. The building at present of
a number of new vessels known as "Standard Ships," ships of just that tonnage and
class in which heretofore the crew had often been tucked away in the forecastle, afforded
an opportunity for the drastic reform advocated.
By courtesy of the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, I am informed that in these
ships the improved accommodation is on the following lines:—
1. The crew are berthed in the poop instead of in the forecastle.
2. Separate two-berth cubicles are provided.
3. Messing entirely separate from sleeping accommodation is provided, also
a smoke room for the general use of the men.
4. Each cubicle is fitted with a folding table.
5. Dirty clothes' lockers are provided in the firemen's and seamen's washplaces
respectively, one for each man.
6. The floor space and cubic space is considerably in excess of the Board of
Trade requirements.
7. Three spare cabins with adjuncts can be adapted as isolation quarters in
case of necessity.
8. Special arrangements for steam heating in the crew's accommodation are
being provided.
The vast improvements in lighting, ventilation and increase of space which are
possible on removal of the quarters from the fore part of the ship to aft, i.e., from the
busier, more sea swept and narrower, to the less hampered, drier and more roomy end,
should naturally follow this change ; and will certainly react favourably on the moral and
physical tone of the personnel.
Constructive sanitation along the lines suggested by your late Medical Officer has
been easily put into practice in the building of new ships. The problem of the older
types of accommodation remains.
It is obvious that under present conditions and for some time to come drastic
structural alterations on old ships would not be a profitable solution of the difficulty,
the building of new vessels being the immediate necessity. In individual ships, however,
certain lesser structural alterations contributory to health could be made. Your
Inspectors have been instructed to observe and report on such points as are practically
remediable in individual ships with a view to the possible formulation of general
recommendations. This inspection would, of course, run parallel with the administration
of the nuisance clauses of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, which are the legal
approach to the question at present open to your Staff.
A ''Questionnaire" was forwarded to your Medical Officer, amongst others, through
the Local Government Board, from the International Health Board of the Rockfeller
Foundation. This had regard to quarantine stations and organisation, and covered the
whole procedure of the Authority in dealing with the major and minor quarantinable
diseases.