The proportion of scurvy is somewhat increased; which is not to be wondered at, when it is considered, that though the fleet had not been so long at sea as is necessary to produce it, especially in this climate, yet the men having had no refreshments when last in port, may be considered as having been all that time at sea.
The superior degree of health in this month will appear in a still stronger light, if we cast our eye on the column expressing the number sent to the hospital, the proportion of which is, comparatively, very small.
The ships that had been the longest from England, were still among the most healthy. But of all the fleet, none was so free from sickness and mortality as the Formidable. No man belonging to this ship died of disease for the first four months after sailing from Plymouth, though there were at times 900 men on board, and never less than the established complement, which is 750; and so few were taken sick in that time, that only thirteen were sent to hospitals, and their complaints were small-pox and ulcers.
This ship left England provided with every thing that could be supposed to conduce to the health of men, and may be considered as an experiment to prove what degree of health may be attained by proper management and attention. She was furnished not only with abundance of sour krout, melasses, and essence of malt, in common with the other ships; but what was peculiar to her, was an entire supply of excellent wine, in place of spirits, of which none was used during the period mentioned.
CHAP. IV.
Account of the Health of the Fleet while it lay at Jamaica during May, June, and Part of July, 1782.——French Prizes Causes of Sickness—Their Difference from the English in point of Cleanliness and Discipline—Bad Effects of Land Wind and Watering Duty—Situation of Port Royal—Season uncommonly dry and windy—Fluxes more prevalent at Sea than in Harbour—Comparison of the Sickness at this Time with that of the Army and with that of the Squadron under Admiral Vernon forty-one Years before—Effects of Contagion and foul Air—Officers more affected than the common Men.
All the squadron that was left to windward of Jamaica, consisting of twenty-four ships of the line, kept the sea during great part of May, the last division of it not having come to Port Royal till the 25th of that month.
The whole fleet remained in harbour during the remainder of the month, and the whole of the next, except the Warrior, Prothée, and Russell; the two former were sent on a cruise, in which the Warrior continued quite healthy, as she had been ever since her arrival from England; and in the Prothée a great check was given to the fevers and fluxes which had begun to prevail at Port Royal. The Russell was sent to England with a convoy.
Table, shewing the proportional Prevalence of Sickness and Mortality in May.
Transcriber’s Keys:
A Proportion of those taken ill or wounded in the Course of the Month.
B Proportion of those that died in relation to the Numbers of Sick or wounded.