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This, in Dr. Marsden's opinion, not only justified but called for the 'quarantine' of the ship until
that date. If there were a further case, due to ineffective lymph at the re-vaccination at Suez,
there would be an opportunity of reviewing the diagnosis.
The Ellerman Lines, appreciating the value of docking the ship only when entirely free from
infection — an important point to prevent labour troubles — readily agreed to hold the ship at
Highaiq Bight, below Gravesend, until the evening of Sunday, 20th March.
It was also agreed that irrespective of further cases, all on board should be re-vaccinated
except individuals with physical evidence of successful vaccination at Suez ; that only the Pilot
(who was vaccinated by the Port Health Authority on 15th March, 1960) should be allowed to
leave the ship; that no one outside the Port Health staff would be allowed on board.
Other action taken prior to the arrival of the ship was to confer with the Harbour Master and
obtain his agreement to the ship anchoring in Higham Bight; to confer with the Waterguard
Superintendent at Gravesend and point out the undesirability of any of his men boarding the
vessel. (In spite of this a Preventive Officer boarded to put his seals on the ship's bonded
stores. Dr. Willoughby intercepted this Officer and ascertained that he had been vaccinated by
the Port Health Authority on 3rd March last); Denton Hospital was alerted with reference to
disinfection routine and the possibility of receiving crew members for bathing etc.; the possible
disposal to hospital of any urgent medical or surgical cases on board was discussed; and the
draft of a Press statement to be used only if the news leaked out was prepared.
Arrival of ship In the Port of London
The vessel arrived in Higham Bight anchorage at 18.30 hours on Thursday, 17th March, and
was boarded on arrival by Dr. H. Willoughby, Dr. MacCarthy (locum-tenens Medical Officer,) the
Chief Port Health Inspector and the Port Health Inspector for the district.
History of Cases
The following information, much of which had already been communicated to the Port Health
Authority by signal, was given by the Master:—
Voyage Itinerary
Chittagong 25.1.60 (First port of loading)
Calcutta 13.2.60
Trincomalee 23.2.60
Colombo 25.2.60
Aden 1.3.60
Suez 6.3.60
Port Said 8.3.60
An entirely new Asian crew of 66 joined the ship in Calcutta on 13th February, 1960. This
crew was vaccinated in Calcutta before joining.
On 15th February, 1960, the Deck Serang reported that one of his seamen had a scanty rash
on his face, arms, legs and more profuse lesions on his trunk. The rash was pustular and he had
a temperature of 100° F. He was at once isolated in the ship's hospital.
On arrival at Trincomalee two days later the case was seen by two Medical Officers — one
of whom was the Port Medical Officer — who diagnosed Chickenpox which was later confirmed by
the Shipping Company's own doctor. The case was removed to hospital but rejoined the ship at
Colombo on 25th February as 'cured'.
On the 28th February, 1960, a second case (an Indian seaman) occurred with a rash resembling
Prickly Heat. He was at once isolated in the ship's hospital. He was seen by the Port
Medical Officer at Aden on 1st March, 1960, who diagnosed Chickenpox and declined to remove
the case to shore. The rash was by this time pustular.
On the same day (1st March), two hours after the visit by the Port Medical Officer at Aden,
case 3 (an Indian Engineroom Foreman) presented himself.
The Port Medical Officer was sent for again and duly arrived on board. This Medical Officer
was not the same doctor who diagnosed case 2. However, he also diagnosed this case as one of
Chickenpox and similarly declined to remove the case to shore, so the patient remained in isolation
with case 2. (N.B. Both Medical Officers at Aden were Arabian).
On 2nd March, 1960, case 4 (an Indian Engineroom Trimmer) presented himself with a rash
which was pustular and he likewise was isolated at once with the other two.
On arrival at Suez on 6th March, the vessel was boarded by the Suez Canal Company's doctor
who agreed that the three patients were suffering from chickenpox. Some doubt however must
have been in his mind as he called in the Chief Quarantine Medical Officer of the Egyptian
Government. This Officer was prepared 'to stake his reputation on it' that the cases were
Modified Smallpox. Moreover, he examined case 1, who had rejoined the ship at Colombo, and
declared that he had not finished scabbing and was indeed still infectious.
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