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organisms would be found in the majority of samples of water from ships, yet
outbreaks of water-borne disease on shipboard are very rare. It is very doubtful
whether the outbreak of enteritis in this ship was due to the water supply, and it is
certain that the water as supplied in the Port of London was above suspicion.
Nevertheless, it is desirable that the water in the tanks of ships should be as pure
as the water in the mains ashore from which they are filled, and consideration has
been given to the elimination of possible sources of contamination. The Port of
London Authority have issued instructions that water-mains in the docks are to be
flushed regularly from the lowest point; men are to be specially detailed for the
watering of ships and are to be instructed in the hygiene of their duties by the
Authority's Medical Officer; hose-pipes with any leaks are on no account to be used;
hose-pipes are not to be dragged along the quay, but are to be conveyed in hand-carts
or on wheels so as to avoid contamination from the ground; quays are to be cleaned
regularly, and proper facilities for the drying of hoses are to be provided where they
do not already exist.
The water supplies to the docks are of the highest degree of purity; ordinary
care has always been exercised in delivering water to ships but, with the special
precautions now instituted, the Dock Authority are doing everything practicable to
ensure that the water as delivered into the ships' tanks is bacteriologically satisfactory.
The condition of the tank is the business of the shipping companies. Again reasonable
care is taken in the cleaning and cement-washing of tanks, but if the water on board
is to be judged by the strictest bacteriological standards, then either the cleaning of
tanks must be carried out with all the precautions observed in H.M. Navy or some
system of water sterilization must be installed on board. The latter procedure is
worthy of consideration for large passenger liners, particularly those which have to
take water at many different ports.
During the autumn, Inspector Madeley carried out a special enquiry into the
supply of water to ships lying not only in the docks but also at river-side Wharves
in the Port and made a valuable report, which is much too lengthy to reproduce here,
but from which a number of observations of special interest may be quoted.
Arrangements ashore.—Hydrants are nearly always situated at or below groundlevel
and as near the edge of the quay as possible, so as to avoid interference with
the handling of cargo and to minimise risk of damage to hose. The pit in which the
hydrant is situated should be rendered with cement and should be drained so that
dirty water cannot lodge in it. Wherever possible, hydrants should be above ground.
Tt has been suggested that they should be led up the centre of mooring bollards.
If there are hydrants at short intervals along the quays, less hose is necessary and
therefore risk of contamination is reduced.
Plain canvas hose is unsatisfactory; rubber-lined canvas is much better, stout
rubber hose is best, but is expensive and heavy.
Hoses are frequently subjected to unnecessary strain by kinking. One of the
principal places where this occurs is on the ship's rail or fish plate as the hose bends
over to enter the tank or filling pipe. This might easily be avoided by fitting over
the rail or fish plate a wooden shoe in which the hose might rest.
Hose should never be allowed to dip into dock or river water.
There should always be special provision for the drying and storage of hose-pipes.
Arrangements in Ships.—In the majority of home-trade and coasting steamers
the fresh-water tank is situated on the top of the engine-room casing abaft the funnel
with a draw-off tap in the galley below. This is the most suitable situation when it is
not necessary to carry a large quantity of water. A few have the water-tank on the
main deck abaft the main hatch. This is a very exposed position and in one case
in which there was no tap, water being obtained by lifting the manhole cover, so much
sea water had got in as to make the fresh-water supply too brackish for use.
One motor coasting vessel less than a year old was discovered to have two
galvanized iron water tanks to neither of which was there any means of access for