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 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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SECTION II
AMOUNT OF SHIPPING ENTERING THE DISTRICT DURING THE YEAR
TABLE B
| Ships from | Number | Net Tonnage | Number Inspected by the Port By the Port Medical Officer Health Inspector | Number of ships reported as having, or having had during the voyage, infectious disease on board. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Ports | 35,505 | 70,404,000 | 1,011 | 13,021 | 76 |
| Coastwise | 18,917 | 18,119,000 | 15 | 1,440 | 9 |
| Total | 54,422 | 88,523,000 | 1,026 | 14,461 | 85 |
SECTION III
CHARACTER OF SHIPPING AND TRADE DURING THE YEAR
TABLE C
| Passenger Traffic | Number of Passengers — Inwards 107,703 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Passengers — Outwards 104,969 | ||
| Principal Imports | All types of produce and | |
| Cargo Traffic | Principal Exports | merchandise |
| Principal Ports from which ships arrive. The Port of London trades with all parts of the world. | ||
SECTION I\
INLAND BARGE I R\I I l<
Barges are registered annually by the Port of London Authority. They vary in design, type
and carrying capacity from open or hatched all purpose general cargo lighters to specialised craft
designed for the transport of refrigerated cargoes, raw bulk sugar and bulk liquids (e.g. rendered
edible animal fats and vegetable oils). Some refrigerated lighters have an integral refrigeration
plant incorporated in their design and the bulk liquid lighters have a steam heating coil system
installed in their tanks.
It would appear that economic pressures exerted on the lighterage industry by way of Port
modernisation and development in the lower River sector associated with containerisation has
resulted in the amalgamation of fleets and the scrapping of old or uneconomic units. The competition
of road and rail may also have been a contributory factor in the reduction of the number
of lighters. The end result has been that the number of lighters operating throughout the Port
area and its environs, byway of creeks and canals, has been further reduced since last year. There
are now approximately 4,000 lighters having an aggregate tonnage of some 400,000 tons. It would
appear likely, however, that though the number of lighters may decrease from year to year the
actual carrying capacity may not necessarily be reduced in direct proportion. Evidence of a trend
towards bigger and better lighters may be assumed from a press report on the purchase of a 1,000
ton lighter for operation on the River.
The cleanliness of lighters, barges or other vessels intended for the movement of food is
controlled under the provisions of the Food Hygiene (Docks, Carriers etc.) Regulations of 1960.
Due regard is paid to this aspect of hygiene to obviate any possible contamination, including
contamination by odour, of foodstuffs which are carried in lighters.
SECTION \ WATER SUPPLY
| (1) Source of Supply | No change |
| (2) Reports of tests for contamination | No change |
| (3) Precautions taken against contamination of hydrants and hosepipes | No change |
| (4) Number and sanitary conditions of water boats and powers of control by the Authority | No change |