WARSHIP POWERFUL QUARANTINED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2771, 24 April 1907, Page 30

WARSHIP POWERFUL QUARANTINED.

SUSPICIOUS CASE OF ILLNESS.

LYTTELTON, April 21.

A suspicious ease of illness has occurred on lx>ard H.M.S. Powerful, the flagship of the Australian squadron, lying at anchor in the stream off Camp Bay, Lyttelton. William Bridgen, canteen manager, arrived from Sydney by the Mahono, and came co Lyttelton on Thursday by the Mararoa. He complained of being unwell, and wa«» placed on the sick list. Yesterday Dr I'phiim. port health officer, went on board; the Powerful aiul examined Bridgen. Ha found the symptoms to be suspicious. Dr I'pham states that they may sndicato plague, but again it may be only influenza. He at once quarantined the Powerful, all leave was stopped, and visitors are noc allowed on board. Dr Upham at once communicated with Dr Finch, district health officer, who was to visit tho Powerful this afternoon to examine tho patient. A conference had been held between the Lyttelton Harbour Board and Captain Hol«ev, of the Powerful, with reference to bringing tho -\cssel alongside the wharf during tho remainder of the stay in port. It is understood that this was to have been done, but in \ iew of Bridgcn's ca<e the Powerful is now qua-antined, and will have to rcmcin in tho stream.

April 22.

Drs Finch and Uphnra visited the sr.6poctcd case on H.M.S. Powerful th.'s morning. Dr Finch states the position is somewhat more satisfactory, though he cannot say the case is nat plague. Tho patient is tetter, and it is not considered necessary to 6end him to the quarantine station at present. He will be kept isolated on ho?rd the vessel, which will remain m quarantine.

WELLINGTON, April 22.

" All that we know is that the man on the flagship came from Sydney," said the Chief Health Officer (Dr Mason) this afternoon. " Pie was passed by tho Port Health Officer, and joined the Powerful on Thursday. There was. then no evidence of any ailment. _ Apparently he developed some svinntorns which suggested plaguo, and in consequence he was isolated. P»<-cautions were immediately taken, and the ship «a? disinfected. Though a. very careful examinat.on cf all other persons on tho ship was made, no evidence sugfrctive of plague was found. There will be mo interference with tho movements of the fla^bip. I don't think there is any need to apprehend anything unusual at all. Apl,arentlv the attack, whatever it is, is very slight. Tho patient will be kept on Qiiail Island till he recovers from his ailment."

Dr Ma-son left for the south this evening to see the sufferer.

The Health Department has communicated with the Union Steam Ship Company, and arranged for the disinfection of tho cabin occupied by the patient. The man showed no sipns of illness till he joined his own ship, the Powerful.