Dartmouth Patriot, 8 June 1901 Edition
HISTORY OF McNAB'S ISLAND
Fever and Cholera on
the Steamer England ---
Dr. Slayter Died at
His Post.
(Series of Articles by H.W. HEWITT)
No. 6
I have found frequent references to the quarantine ground off McNab's Island. I believe it was from the first established as at present. In 1793 (Oct. 9), precautionary measures were taken at Halifax and quarantine established above McNab's Island, on account of epidemic of fever raging at Philadelphia. No buildings were erected on shore and in case of sickness a vessel would be anchored in the harbour. The measures taken in case of an epidemic are so well illustrated in those taken in 1866 that I will give them somewhat fully. The story of the "S.S. England" contains all it is necessary to give.
The S.S. "England" of the National Stream Navigation Co.; a well appointed ship. left Liverpool, Eng. March 28, 1866 with over 1200 passengers on board, many more than allowed by the emigration regulations of Great Britain. Four days after leaving Queenston a boy was found dead alongside his mother. Cholera had broken out and as many as 15 emigrants died in 1 day. Up to the time of making Halifax 46 had succumbed and 30 were on the sick list. Ship's fever raged along with the cholera. Finding it impossible to reach her port of destination, New York, the steamer was headed for Halifax which port she made on the night of April 8. She came to quarantine and all night long the silence of the calm night was broken by the sounds made in making coffins. Next morning (Apr. 9) the yellow flag was hoisted and help signalled for. The deck was heaped with coffins. Permission having been given 4 boat loads of coffined emigrants were conveyed to the island where they were buried. The steamer was ordered to anchor at Meagher's Beach. As the engineers were sick she could not proceed to New York so she had to go into quarantine. The medical officers being too sick for duty Dr. Garvie of Halifax volunteered to go to New York as ship's physician. The Executive Council accepted his offer, with compliments referring to his courage, humanity and sense of duty. Two years previous he had gone to Bermuda when yellow fever raged there.
It was soon seen however that the ship would have to remain for some time at Halifax. Dr. Garvie's services were utilized on shore. On Monday, April 9 death came to 6 more emigrants. The city took all precautions. Next day (April 10) the old ship "Pyramus" was towed to Meagher's Beach by the Cunard steamer "Merlin." The sick were transferred to her. The healthy passengers were landed on McNab's Island. Tents were put up for them and bedding, straw, etc. supplied. Snowy, rainy weather set in. Trees were cut down and fires blazed day and night. The island looked like a military camp. Cholera and ship's fever continued to carry off its victims. Small pox also broke out. Policemen were sent to the island to prevent unnecessary communication with the quarantine station. A proclamation dated April 10 appeared in the Royal Gazette declaring the province to be threatened with Asiatic cholera.
Dr. John Slayter, Health Officer of Halifax, and Drs. Garvie and Gossip together with students Frank Garvie had volunteered and gone to the island. Deaths occurred April 12 and 13. The doctors in attendance were then in good health.
On Saturday 14th the Provincial Secretary and the Mayor of Halifax visited McNab's Island to see the condition of the quarantined emigrants. Father McIsaac, R.C., went down to minister to the patients. Next day snow fell to a depth of one inch, adding to the discomfort of the emigrants. Much chloride of lime and other disinfectants were sent down on this day.
The papers warned the authorities that pillows, mattresses, blankets, etc. were floating around the wharves which should be burned or buried.
Archbishop Connelly, of Halifax went down every day to see what could be done to make them comfortable. The conduct of the Roman Catholics at this time is worthy of all praise. On Monday, the 16th April three Sisters of Charity went to the Hospital ship "Pyramus" to attend the sick.
Tuesday, April 17, Dr. Slayter died on the island after an illness of only 6 hours. He left a wife and 5 children. He was 43 years old. His remains were interred on the island. Four Sisters of Charity proceeded this day to care for the orphans on the island.
By this time the "England" had been fumigated. 24 men from the shore did the work. One of them, an Irishman, took sick and died. The healthy passengers were taken on board the "England" and as the yellow flag was hauled down three heartfelt cheers were given. On Wednesday 18th at 7 o'clock the England sailed for New York with 875 steerage and 16 saloon passengers, besides of crew of 116 including the master, Capt. R. W. Grace. Not one of the cabin passengers was sick during the whole time. The steamer arrived at New York, April 27th, all were well.
All this time the sick were kept in two special tents which were kept from overcrowding by the many deaths which occurred. A guard schooner was off the island to prevent communication with the mainland.
After the death of Dr. Slayter, Dr. Gossip was appointed Health Officer. Dr. Wickwire was appointed Deputy Health Officer.
On the 20th April Dr. Gossip reported to the Mayor that the "England" had left 52 passengers, then on the island or the "Pyramus." Some dead bodies, both coffined and uncoffined were awaiting burial. He wanted men from the city to bury the dead and help to shift the tents and place the sick in them. They were needed also to burn a lot of bedding which the "England" would not take on board.
By Saturday, Apr. 21st, all bodies on the island had been buried. On the same day a case of cholera was found at Freshwater Ridge, Halifax, caught from picking up bedding.
On Apr. 23rd, the City Board of Health ordered men and boats to examine the waters and shores and burn or bury all infected articles found. This was done. On the same day the House of Assembly unanimously voted $2000 to the widow of Dr. Slayter.
The next day the patients on the "Pyramus" were transferred to the island.
By the first of May the plague had run its course. No sickness was on the island and free communication was allowed with the station. A vessel was daily expected from New York to take the surviving emigrants there.
As near as could be estimated, 200 died after the arrival of the "England" at Halifax. This with the number who died on the voyage brings up the total mortality to about 250. The names could not be ascertained for a healthy man in the morning might be a corpse before noon. The captain of the "England" claimed that 100 escaped from the island. This may or may not be true. The pilot who brought the England into port died. Two of his children also died.
Some of the cholera victims were buried near Ive's Point Battery on the side of the hill. In the spring the frost breaks up the bank and coffins and bones obtrude.
More of the victims are buried on Big Thrum Cap Island while the greater part are to be found on Perrin's Point. Here a large mound surrounded by a rail can be seen. The first tents were pitched near this.
On June 20th. 1866, gold watches with suitable engraving on them, were presented to Doctors Garvie and Gossip and to Medical student Frank Garvie.
The Government soon after this started a building
about 120 feet long for quarantine purposes. It was located on Green Hill
where the Naval Rifle Range now is. Before its completion Lawlor's Island
was acquired and the building was taken to pieces and the material transferred
to Lawlor's Island under which head I will give in a later paper the quarantine
history since then.
(To be Continued.)