Dartford's Hospitals History

Castalia, for women patients, with double hull and wards in echelon. Gangway to Endymion (administration and supplies) on left. c.1900

Ward on Atlas (for male patients). Note the gun rings and electric light bulb. c.1900

Ward deck on Atlas c.1900

The galley on the Endymion, used for administration and supplies, note the two electric light bulbs. c.1900

Our first Matron. Matron Wacher and staff c.1902

Dr Ricketts (middle front) Medical Superintendent and medical officers on board Atlas. c.1902

Geneva Cross, ambulance steamer. c.1902

Staff and crew of Geneva Cross. c.1902

Feburary 1898, the pier at Long Reach was out of action for two weeks when the temperature fell below -40f.

Atlas, Endymion and Castalia Smallpox ships moored at Long Reach. Atlas was a 100-guns ship, Nelson class, built in Chatham in 1870 but never fully commissioned. Castalia was a twin-hulled vessel built as a cross channel ferry by R+H Green, Blackwall, but after testing the ride was found to be too rough, therefore never sailed out of Dover. Endymion was a 50-gun frigate.

Atlas (for male patients), Endymion and Castalia at the Long Reach Pier

The pier at Long Reach

Castalia in dry dock at for repairs.

Ambulance steamer Albert Victor at Long Reach.

Ambulance Steamer Maltese Cross.

Ambulance Steamer White Cross

Ward deck on board the Geneva Cross a comfortable bed for the journey, note the electric light bulb. c. 1902

Photograph from the Gatehouse Album of vaccinated men able to enter the site to deliver coal, the album was instigated by Dr Ricketts after an unvaccinated coalman from Erith started an outbreak. One of two, a father and son team William C Bates. c.1900

Charles Bates c.1900