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12.10 p.m. Marine Superintendent, Clan Line, telephone Dr. Jones saying he would instruct the
ship to put into Southampton. Would the London Port Health Authority (1) Give
medical advice to the ship; (2) Inform the Southampton Port Health Authority and
ask them to inform the local agents of the Shipping Company and to assist with the
landing and admission to hospital of the patient. The Clan Line would arrange for a
tug to land the patient.
12.15 p.m. Dr. Jones telephoned the North Foreland W/T Station with the following message for
s.s. "Clan Maclean":—
"Order from Clan Line to put into Southampton follows. Meanwhile, if possible,
make more accurate diagnosis of injuries and treat as 'Ship Captain's Medical
Guide'. If unable to do this, keep flat on back, put arm in sling. General
treatment for shock with Morphine gr.% if pain severe."
12.25 p.m. Dr. Jones telephoned Southampton Port Health Authority who agreed to give all
possible help.
12.30 p.m. Dr. Jones informed Marine Superintendent, Clan Line, that message had been passed.
The Clan Line said a lifeboat would now meet the ship to save time.
m.v. "Border Sentinel" — At 19.10 hours on the 6th December, 1959, the North Foreland W/T
Station telephoned the Hulk "Hygeia" for advice on behalf of the tanker "Border Sentinel". The
time of the origin of the message was 18.50 hours and it stated:
"Man on board while eating suddenly collapsed. Face flushed deep red at onset of attack
and heavy breathing. Grey after two minutes. Breathing ceased after five minutes."
The ship had no radio-telephone and Dr. Jones asked the North Foreland operator to enquire
if the man was apparently dead. There was some difficulty in communications with the ship and
the North Foreland operator said he would ring back. Some ten minutes later the operator said
he had not got a proper answer to the query but instead had a request for a doctor to meet the
ship when she was off Cromer.
With a south-east gale blowing this seemed a mo6t unreasonable request if the man was dead.
Dr. Jones therefore advised North Foreland to refer the Master of the ship to the Section on
"Signs of Death" in the "Ship Captain's Medical Guide" and to demand a clear answer to "Is
the man apparently dead"? This was done and in due course the answer was given as 'in the
affirmative'. No further action was taken.
m.v. "Crichtoun" — At 11.20 hours on the 27th December, 1959 the North Foreland W/T Station
telephoned a request for medical aid from the m.v. "Crichtoun". North Foreland were able to
connect Dr. J.A. Jones with the Master of the vessel by radio-telephone.
The 2nd Engineer complained of severe pain in chest. Onset p.m. 26th. Temp. 102. Pulse
108. Respiration "quite rapid". Pain present all the time, "sharp" on taking breath. No relief
from Codein but some ease when lying on right side.
On this report a diagnosis of Pleurisy with (probably) pneumonia was made. The vessel of
only 455 tons was anchored in Margate Roads, being outward bound for Le Havre.
In view of the size of the vessel, the bad weather and the possibility of pneumonia, Dr.
Jones advised the Master to land the patient whilst he had the opportunity. The North Foreland
Radio Operator informed Dr. Jones the Pilot Cutter was handy and that he, the Operator, would
ask her to collect the patient. The Operator would also arrange an ambulance to meet the Cutter
and inform Margate Hospital to expect the case.
HEALTH EDUCATION - FOOD HYGIENE
In 1958 the Port Health Authority produced for distribution to shipping visiting the Port of
London a folder on the numerous Social Services available to the seafarer and his family. The
matters covered included financial assistance; homelessness of wife and children; aged parents
in need of care and attention; moral problems; 'home helps'; legal advice, etc. This publication
was very favourably commented upon by shipping organisations and welfare societies.
With regard to the broader question of health education generally, it was concluded, after
consultation with shipping and catering interests, and having regard to some unfortunate incidents
of food poisoning in ships, that the most urgent need was to issue a 'popular' booklet on catering
which could be circulated widely to catering staffs both at sea and ashore.
With the help of the Food Hygiene Division of the Ministry of Health and the advice of a
number of leading firms in the catering, air transport and shipping industries, a booklet of twelve
pages of text and eight pages of photographic illustrations of catering hygiene has been produced
for distribution, free of charge, to shipping companies and by the Port Health Inspectors to
catering personnel on ships in the docks and on the River.
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