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The Smallpox Hulks, Atlas and Endymion, at Deptford Cree
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The Smallpox Hulks, Atlas and Endymion, at Deptford Cree
Engraving of the two old hulks, Atlas and Endymion, at Deptford Creek, London, from The Illustrated London News, 23rd July 1881. These vessels were lent by the Admiralty to the Metropolitan Asylums Board to serve as a temporary smallpox hospital in the Thames
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Media ID 4384017
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10216317
1881 23rd Admiralty Asylums Cree Creek Deptford Hulks Lent Metropolitan Serve Small Pox Temporary Vessels
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This engraving, published in The Illustrated London News on July 23, 1881, captures a historical moment in the fight against smallpox in London. The image depicts the old hulks, Atlas and Endymion, moored at Deptford Creek in the Thames. These vessels, lent by the Admiralty to the Metropolitan Asylums Board, served as a temporary smallpox hospital during a time when the disease was rampant in the city. The Metropolitan Asylums Board, established in 1842, was responsible for the management of workhouses, infirmaries, and other institutions for the poor and sick in London. With the increasing number of smallpox cases in the city, the Board sought temporary solutions to accommodate the influx of patients. The Admiralty, which owned the hulks Atlas and Endymion, graciously lent them to the Board for use as a hospital. The Atlas, a 74-gun warship built in 1811, and the Endymion, a 74-gun warship built in 1813, were both decommissioned and had been moored at Deptford Creek since the mid-19th century. The hulks were converted into makeshift hospitals, with the Atlas accommodating male patients and the Endymion, female patients. The engraving shows the two hulks anchored at Deptford Creek, with medical staff and patients visible on the decks. The image offers a glimpse into the past, providing a reminder of the innovative solutions implemented during a public health crisis. The use of these old hulks as temporary hospitals demonstrates the collaborative efforts of various organizations to address the needs of the community during a time of need. This historical engraving is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of Londoners during the smallpox epidemic and serves as a reminder of the importance of public health initiatives and collaboration in times of crisis.
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