3-066-046 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Smallpox Hulks, Atlas and Endymion, at Deptford Creek, 1881. '...old ships or hulks...which have been lent by the Admiralty to serve for a temporary smallpox hospital, moored in the Thames. [The] vessels have been skilfully fitted up for this service by Messrs. A. and C. Harston, architects to the Metropolitan Asylums Board...It is the Atlas which is to be used as the hospital-ship, containing three hospital wards between decks. The smaller, Endymion, which will be used for administrative offices, was a timber-built steam-frigate...They are connected by a gangway...An ambulance station...at George-street...will be in telephonic communication with the offices at Norfolk-street. Upon the discovery of a case of smallpox in any one of the parishes allocated to the ship, a telegram will be dispatched by the parochial officer to the office at Norfolk-street, where immediate directions for the prompt, removal of the patient will be conveyed by the telephone to the ambulance station. The ambulance...will, accompanied by one of the nurses, proceed to the address of the patient, who will be conveyed to the wharf at Potter's Ferry. There a steam-launch will be in waiting, and the patient...will be conveyed on board the ship'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.