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Although the Master did not feel it worth while we still think that he should have his fresh
water tanks cleansed and treated before proceeding on a foreign voyage.
I hope the above information will be sufficient for you to decide your subsequent course of
action when the ship is with you."
Both the bacteriological and chemical analysis reports indicated that the water was suitable
for dietetic purposes.
This vessel duly arrived back in the Port of London when the Shipping Company had the
tanks cleansed and limewashed and the domestic water filters removed.
The above is reported as an example of the close and friendly collaboration between three
major ports and as an illustration of the spirit of co-operation which animates the Port Health
Service of the United Kingdom.
m.v. "SCHOOG" - GASTRO-ENTERITIS
On the 17th July, 1956, your Medical Officer received a telephone message from Dr. MacKrill,
a medical practitioner, stating that he had been called to the above-named vessel which had
berthed at Lawes Wharf, Barking Creek, on the 16th July (p.m.) and found that ten people on
board were suffering from gastro-enteritis, though none of the cases were sufficiently serious to
require admission to hospital. He also stated that the vessel was due to leave London at noon
on the 17th July, for Ipswich.
It so happened that Dr. J.A. Jones, one of your Assistant Medical Officers, was in the
central office when the communication was received and on my instructions immediately proceeded
to the vessel. At the same time arrangements were made for the Senior Health Inspector
from the Royal Docks to meet Dr. Jones at Barking Station with the Authority's motor car and
convey him to Barking Creek.
Dr. Jones subsequently reported to me as follows
Movements of Vessel
Sailed from Antwerp 18.00 hours on 12.7.56
Berthed — Lawes Wharf, Barking Creek — 14.15 hours on 13.7.56
Ship's Company
Master, Mate, 3 Sailors Total 8
Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, Cook
Total 15
Master's wife, 3 daughters, aged 14, 10
and 5 and son aged 7 Total 7
Chief Engineer's wife and daughter aged 3
Onset of cases
Master was 'ill' in Antwerp on 11.7.56. Headache, malaise, sweating. Some nausea but no
diarrhoea or vomiting.
Cook was 'ill' on 12.7.56.-Headache, lassitude, malaise. No diarrhoea or vomiting.
(The above two cases would not appear related to the rest of the outbreak).
13.7.56. One of the sailors complained of abdominal pains (08.00 hours) and later the same
day had diarrhoea.
Also p.m. 13th — a.m. 14th, the other two sailors complained of abdominal pains and
diarrhoea.
14.7.56. Master's daughter, aged 5, had diarrhoea. Temp. 39°C.
15.7.56. Master's wife felt 'blown up'. Some diarrhoea.
16.7.56. Master's son aged 7 had diarrhoea.
Both Engineers and the Mate also had mild diarrhoea.
Present Condition
The Master was apparently quite well. Has had no diarrhoea. The Cook has recovered.
Has had no diarrhoea. The Mate states he is well again. Both Engineers state they are
much better. The three sailors were not on board having gone to the King George Hospital,
Ilford, on their own initiative.
The Master's wife had recovered.
The Master's son, aged 7, still had diarrhoea.
The Master's daughter, aged 5, still had diarrhoea. Temp. 38.5°C.
None of the company looked ill and were all up and about.
The four other members of the ship's company who had so far escaped, namely the Master's
daughters, aged 14 and 10, the Chief Engineer's wife and daughter, were all seen and found
to be well.
Investigation.
(a) Water supply. One tank holding about 8 tons supplies all the water used on board.
Cold water is drunk from the most convenient tap, including one in the combined bath and
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