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In some cases, however, for instance where vessels are not lying near a dock
quay, water is supplied from water barges.
Vessels lying in the Eiver obtain their supplies direct from water mains on shore
or from water barges.
Complaints were received through the Medical Officers of Health at Middlesbrough
and Hull that members of the crews of two ships had suffered from stomach pains,
vomiting and diarrhoea, alleged to be due to drinking water which had been taken in
from a wharf in London.
Your Medical Officer caused enquiries to be made, and ascertained that the water
was obtained from an artesian well, 402 feet deep, situated on private premises and
used for the supply of water for all purposes in the works. The water had a somewhat
unfavourable appearance, but there seemed to be no possibility of contamination by
sewage or trade matter.
A sample of the water was submitted to your Analyst, who reported in detail,
his conclusion being as follows :—
" This water contains a heavy deposit of iron, &c., and a microscopical
examination revealed the presence of mould growths and other vegetable and
mineral debris. On the other hand, the water itself shows evidence of considerable
organic purity. I am, therefore, of opinion that, if suitable means are
adopted to remove these deposits, it would be suitable for all dietetic purposes."
Your Medical Officer brought the matter to the notice of the owners of the wharf,
who replied that they had decided to discontinue the use of water from this well and
take their supplies in future from the Metropolitan Water Board mains.
Water Barges.—As the majority of vessels obtain their water direct from
hydrants on shore, water barges are not numerous in the Port of London. At the
beginning of the year there were 20 in commission, and at the end of the year 16 only.
These water barges are filled with pure water from the mains. It is, therefore,
only necessary to ensure that no contamination of the water takes place during the
filling of the tanks or while stored in the barges.
This object is best achieved by a thorough inspection of the barges when empty,
special attention being paid to the interior of the tanks and to the hoses and equipment.
The water barges must be registered annually with the Port of London Authority,
and before re-registration they must be inspected as to their fitness for navigation on
the River and in the docks. The arrangement made last year whereby the Port of
London Authority agreed to co-operate with the Port Sanitary Authority by informing
them when each water barge was due for their annual inspection, and by making
re-registration conditional, not only on the fitness of the barge for navigation, but also
upon a favourable report from the Port Sanitary Authority as to the fitness of the
barge for the carriage of drinking water, has worked smoothly and well. The Port of
London Authority cancelled the registration of four barges during the year.
IV.—INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
For the prevention of the importation of infectious disease it is necessary to
arrange for the medical inspection of vessels :—
(1) Proceeding up the River Thames.
(2) Proceeding up the River Medway.
Vessels proceeding up the Thames.—The Port Sanitary Authority maintain
a hulk, the " Hygeia," moored in the River, off Gravesend, about 26 miles below
London Bridge, on which there is a Medical Officer on duty night and day.