A VESSEL WITH SMALLPOX.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9333, 26 January 1892, Page 5 (Supplement)

A VESSEL WITH SMALLPOX.

ARRIVAL OF THE UJIVOTI, FROM THE MAURITIUS,

WITH SMALLPOX ON HOARD.

The barque Umvoti, from Mauritius, was reported from the heads early on Tuesday morning, when the tug Plucky proceeded down to tender her, and on getting close to the vessel it was ascertained there was sickness. The tow line was thrown on board, and the vessel was towed inside the heads, Pilot Paton remaining on board the tug directing the vessel's movements. On reaching the quarantine ground she came to anchor, when the customs boat proceeded off with Dr Drysdale (health officer) and Captain Gray (customs surveyor), stopping just within speaking distance of the vessel. The captain reported that early in December. one of the crew (natives) fell sick, and shortly developed a rash which looked like smallpox. Everything possible was done for the man, who is now convalescent; but Dr Drysdale, having examined him, states that he lias unmistakably had a severe attack of smallpox. The seaman who was attending this man sickened meantime, and died shortly after the vessel was towed inside the heads. The health officer accordingly quarantined the vessel, and the yellow flag was at once hoisted, and the officials returned on shore. The Umvoti is an iron barque of 442 tons, and is commanded by Captain Hay. We arc indebted to the courtesy of Mr Chamberlain, collector of customs, for the following information :—" The captain and officers will remain on board the vessel and thoroughly fumigate and disinfect her; the captain's wife will also remain on board. The crew were sent to the Quarantine Island yesterday afternoon, and the body of the deceased seaman was also taken there for burial. Should no fresh case of the disease break out, pratique will be granted to the vessel at the end of 1G days." The Umvoti left Mauritius on December 10, and has made a passage of 40 days from port to port.