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Very Large Crude Carriers (V.L.C.C.'s)
Arrival figures of V.L.C.C.'s into the Port of London continued to increase over previous
year, regardless of the fact that the Shellhaven refinery was severely damaged by fire during
the latter half of the year. This necessitated the diversion of a number of vessels to other ports.
Health clearance procedure continued without difficulty and this traffic produced no sickness
of an infectious nature.
Inspections of these vessels show that regardless of nationality they are of a very high
standard and are well maintained.
Summary of Movements 1971
(a) V.L.C.C.'s arriving after lightening at Lyme Bay — 5
(b) V.L.C.C.'s arriving after lightening at Seine Bay — 11
(c) V.L.C.C.'s arriving after lightening at Rotterdam — 25
Total Arrivals - 41
On seven occasions V.L.C.C.'s were lightened by vessels which then discharged in the port,
the V.L.C.C. herself proceeding elsewhere, the lightening vessels presenting her Health Declaration
on arrival in London.
LIGHTER ABOARD SHIP DEVELOPMENTS ("LASH" SHIPS)
This service continued throughout 1971 with little change in the pattern of trade.
Twenty-five voyages were made by the same two vessels resulting in the import of some
100,000 tons to the Port of London.
The main commodities continued to be woodpulp and linerboard but a consignment of 370 tons
of rice became the first shipment of food for human consumption received through this service.
Regular inspection of lighters upon completion of discharge for evidence of rodent infestation
was maintained with negative results.
The first vessel inaugurating a new Lash service is expected at Sheerness in March 1972.

SECTION VII
SMALLPOX
1. Name of Isolation Hospital to which smallpox cases are sent from the District.
Long Reach Hospital is situated on the south bank of the River Thames about eight miles
above Gravesend. The hospital consists of 10 ward blocks capable of accommodating 170 patients
but, except in cases of emergency, only three ward blocks (2 of 20 beds and 1, a cubicle ward, of
10 beds, total 50 beds) are kept available for immediate use. The hospital includes residential
quarters for the staff and laundry, although the administration and staffing is carried out from Joyce
Green Hospital, Dartford.
2. Arrangements for transport of such cases to that Hospital by ambulance giving the name of
the Authority responsible for the ambulance and the vaccinal state of the ambulance crews.
A case or cases of smallpox would be removed from the vessel by one of this Authority's
ambulance-launches and conveyed ashore via the pontoon at Denton and from thence conveyed by
road ambulance direct to Long Reach Hospital.
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