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Using the radio-telephone Dr. Willoughby called the "Hygeia" and asked the shipkeeper to
arrange an ambulance. At 12.15 hours the patient was landed and placed in the ambulance for
Gravesend Hospital.
As an evolution the time taken was remarkably short and undoubtedly the radio-telephone
saved at least half-an-hour.
m.v. “Doris”
On 27th February 1960, the Agents for this ship asked Dr. D.T. Jones to see a female passenger
who had sustained injuries to her head and hip three days ago. On boarding the ship the
patient was found to have sustained a concussion, had been unconscious for half-an-hour, and
had bruised her left buttock extensively. Dr. Jones arranged for the patient to be seen in the
Casualty Department of Poplar Hospital when the ship berthed in the Royal Albert Dock.
m.v. "Curacao"
On 27th February 1960, the m.v. "Curacao" from Rotterdam, which was lying at North Woolwich
Buoys, blew an urgency signal and a waterman who went alongside the ship was told that a
stowaway had been found on the ship and was seriously ill. This message was passed to the
Police and the Port Health Authority.
When Mr. H.A. Marshall, the Port Health Inspector, reached the ship he found that Dr. Avery,
the Police Surgeon, was already on board and had found the stowaway suffering from exhaustion
through lack of fresh air, food and drink, but there was no infectious disease present. No special
treatment was required and the man remained on board for repatriation.
s.s. "La Colina"
The following report by Dr. J.A. Jones is quoted at length because it illustrates so well not
only the valuable medical service given in this instance by Dr. Jones himself but also the outstanding
performance in an emergency of the crew of the "Howard Deighton" and the Shipkeeper
of the Hulk "Hygeia" :
ONE LONG CHAPTER
26th February 1960
20.30 hrs. Telephone message received from Lloyds Signal Station,Southend. The outward bound
"La Colina" had an accident case and was returning to Gravesend. Requested Medical
Officer to board on arrival of ship and for ambulance to be arranged. Lloyds
asked to try and find out nature of injuries.
20.35 hrs. Telephoned Tilbury Hospital who, once again, immediately agreed to admit case.
Agreed to inform Tilbury Hospital of nature of injuries if information received, or by
radio-telephone as soon as case seen.
20.40 hrs. Telephoned Thurrock Ambulance. Agreed to have ambulance standing by to be called
by radio-telephone.
20.45 hrs. Telephoned Operations Room, Thames Navigation Service. Duty Officer agreed to
keep one R/T set on our wavelength and to pass messages to Hospital and Ambulance.
Radio between Operations Room and "Howard Deighton" tested.
20.50 hrs. Telephone call from North Foreland Radio connecting Master of "La Colina". Man
fallen down hold. May have been there up to one hour before being found. Given
Morphia. Not yet removed from hold. Master advised to leave patient on cane
stretcher when they got him up. To keep in warm place and to give nothing by mouth
and no further drugs. Master also instructed to have derrick rigged.
21.00 hrs. Information regarding "head injuries" telephoned to Tilbury Hospital.
21.15 hrs. The Thames Navigation Service having ascertained that the "Saxonia" was "all well"
and that the "Athenic" had only a case of phlebitis, H.M. Customs Quarantine Preventive
Officer was requested to give these ships 'Free Pratique'. The ships were
also informed by the Thames Navigation Service that the Medical Officer would not
be boarding.
21.30 hrs. T.N.S. passed message that the "La Colina" was in the Lower Hope. Hulk
"Hygeia's" R/T set at talk through. Deckboy left on "Hygeia" to take messages.
Shipkeeper Parish and Deckhand Mackley taken to handle stretcher.
21.40 hrs. Alongside ship. Derrick was rigged but no ladder over.
21.45 hrs. Boarded ship. Patient desperately ill with multiple injuries, covered in blood and
iron ore; placed (in ship's Neil Robertson stretcher) on to the "Howard Deighton"
stretcher. Derrick lowered into position and slings and heaving lines prepared.
21.45 hrs. Immediately after I had boarded ship, as I was later informed by Mr. Simons, all
lights and the R/T failed in the "Howard Deighton".
21.50 hrs. With the patient ready to be moved, the ship, now having a tug on the bow went astern,
and washed the "Howard Deighton" away just as the crew were rigging emergency oil
lamps.
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