"THE!KING'S SHIP"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3169, 21 August 1917, Page 7

"THE! KING'S SHIP"

FLOATING HOSPITAL FOR MESO--1 , . POTAMIA, ! ■ . Jledical experts recently inspected a hospital ship for service o nthe Tigris, which will be a valuable addition to the fleet of some thirty vessels now employed withthe British forces in JJaeopotaima. "The King's Ship," as the vessel is named, has been designed with a draught of only 3ft. 6in., Sso that she will beablo to navigate the Tigris as far as tho Hamrin Hills, .at a maximum speed of ten knots per hour. She is a complete floating hospital, with beds for ISO cot cases and accommodation for minor casualties, a fly-proof operating theatre with electric sterilising apparatus, lifts to enable serious cases to be moved from one deck to another with the minimum amount of discomfort, wards for mental cases/ isolation rooms, etc. A system of ventilation has been installed throughout the vessel whereby it can bo kept comparatively cool in the maximum summer temperature and warm in tho autumn and winter, for in the latter season the conditions are somewhat severe in tho upper reaches pf the Tigris. All cabins are fitted with ny-proof windows and doors. The boat is oil-driven, lighted throughout by electricity, and provided with what is believed to be an innovation for this particular style of 'ft, four rudders, which, as an expert stated, enable it to turn like a toxical).