CO129-036 - Sir Bonham - 1851 [1-5] — Page 247

As regards the obtaining sufficient accommodation by hiring Vessels, it must be obvious that the placing board several Ihips,

sick men on

which from the usual size of the

rissels which can be obtained must

be the case, is necessarily attended with the greatest inconvenience and requiring a Medical officer as well as other officers to be constantly present on board each, however small the

be, in addition

Detacht of men may

to which it is but very rarely any svessel can be found possessing the requisite ventilation, and the Principal Medical

Officer is very owverse to placing

vessel which

Rick

men on

board

any

does not possess this most rundis peusable property-

Again, as I chould not feelin justified in taking up Ships for

the

250

use of the Troops mutil the in necessity for their occupation occurs,

I

"the

as

must necessarily take the risk of finding them in the Harbour, at moment they are required, well as the possible delay in obtaining them, at a period when the immediate removal of the sick on board chip, might be of the most vital importance.

The Principal Medical officer

with me in the absolute

fully

Concurs

necessity of having a ship permanently

for the

use

of the sick and convalescents, and the experience of the pact season has shown that even in the winter months, great advantages may

be hoped for from

such accommodation being available. course I am prepared to place at Captr Massie's disposal Storeage

of