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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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VI. HYGIENE OF CHEWS' SPACES.
TABLE J. CLASSIFICATION OF NUISANCES.
| Nationality of Vessel. | Number inspected during the year. | Defects of Original construction. | Structural defects through wear and tear. | Dirt, vermin and other conditions prejudicial to health. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRITISH | 8,3 22 | 173 | 354 | 849 |
| OTHER NATIONS | 2,269 | 1 | - | 42 |
| TOTALS | 10,591 | 174 | 354 | 891 |
Despite the figures recorded in Table "J" , your Medical Officer has to
report remarkable progress in the provision of suitable and hygienic
accommodation for crews in British built vessels. While there is still a
number of old vessels in commission the accommodation in which is far from
satisfactory, such vessels are gradually disappearing and are being replaced
by ships of modern construction.-. There is no comparison in the
accommodation of these new vessels with those of pre-war construction: two
berth cabins tastefully furnished and kept clean and sweet by crews who
appreciate decent living quarters, ample provision for bathing and washing
with a plentiful supply of hot and cold water, accommodation for drying
clothes, spacious well lit and well ventilated messrooms in close proximity
to the galley. provided either with chairs or upholstered benches and
lockers for the storing of food and table utensils are now the rule.
An example of this type of accommodation and how it can be kept is given,
in the report of your Inspector, Mr. C.E. Wright, on a collier plying between
the Tyne and Thames-
S.S.(Crew 23).
"Sir,
I am pleased to report that on the many occasions I have inspected
the s.s. " ", I have found this collier consistently so clean
and shipshape that I consider her indeed a model amongst coastwise
shipping.
The crews' quarters situated aft are always spotless, every bunk
is made, the bedding clean with blue and white counterpanes and the
carpets so bright that they appear new at every inspection. The wash
places and water closets are in excellent condition.
The built in 1942 is not the newest of ship, a fact
which in regard to this report is, if anything, much to her credit.
I sincerely feel that this vessel's consistently good appearance is
a credit to her Master, Officers and men and I am so impressed that I
beg to suggest a word to the Owners would be opportune and I know would
be much appreciated.
Yours faithfully,
(Sgd.) C.E. WRIGIHT.
Inspector" .
Complaints of untidiness and dirty conditions in new accommodation of
this type are becoming rare and go to show that the British seaman is,
generally speaking, quite ready to appreciate decent accommodation and to
live decently in it.
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