Fleet Surgeon James Nicholas Joseph O’Malley, HMS Boadicea for 1st January to 31st December 1879

Record Summary.

Medical and surgical journal of Her Majesty's Ship Boadicea for 1st January to 31st December 1879 by James Nicholas Joseph O’Malley, Fleet Surgeon, during which time the said ship was employed on the Cape and West Coast of Africa.

Folio 1: Printed instructions on completing the journal, nosological tables and general remarks.

Folios 2-4: James Hand, aged 26, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, pneumonia (double). Put on sick list, 9 December [1878], off Madeira. Discharged, 12 January 1879, and afterwards joined the Naval Brigade in Zulu Land.

Folios 4-7: William Musselwhite, aged 24, Captain's Domestic; disease or hurt, enteric fever. Put on sick list, 9 December [1878], off Madeira. Discharged, 6 January [1879].

Folios 7-8: Edward Meades, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 26 December [1878], off Sierra Leone. Discharged, 4 February [1879]. Showed some of the symptoms of enteric fever, it has been classed as continued fever from its sudden onset.

Folios 8-10: Charles Laming, aged 28, Leading Seaman; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, [27] December [1878], at Sierra Leone. Discharged, 15 February [1879].

Folios 10-11: Tom Glasgow, aged 20, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 2 January [1879], at Quitta. Died, 12 January [1879]. Selected by the head Krooman, found to be physically fit and entered on the ship's books 28 December at Sierra Leone.

Folios 11-12: Jim Manney, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 20 January 1879, at sea. Died, 31 January 1879.

Folio 12: Tom Cockroach, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, [19] January 1879, at sea. Died, 26 January 1879.

Folios 12-13: Henry Hazleburg, aged 25, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 20 January 1879, at sea. Died, 30 January 1879.

Folios 13-14: Richard Gillis, aged 27, Leading Seaman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 21 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora which was a temporary hospital, 30 January 1879.

Folios 14-15: Jack Ropeyarn, aged 25, Head Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 21 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879, reported to have died during the night.

Folios 15-16: Tom Sharp, aged 25, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, [21] January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879, but died, 2 February 1879.

Folio 16: Owen Standon, aged 18, Bandsman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 22 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 29 January 1879, where he recovered and became an attendant on other patients.

Folio 17: Jim Crow, aged 25, Head Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 23 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879, where he recovered. Stated that he had been vaccinated but there was no mark on his arm.

Folios 17-18: Jim Weller, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 23 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879, and died, 4 February 1879.

Folio 18: Tom Newman, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 23 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879.

Folios 18-19: George Smith, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 24 January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879.

Folio 19: Tom Poorfellow, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, [24] January 1879, at sea. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879, where he recovered.

Folio 19: Bottle of Beer, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 27 January 1879, off the Cape. Transferred to HMS Flora, 30 January 1879, where he died.

Folio 19: William Holliday, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 7 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 20: William Bevis, aged 18, Sick Berth Assistant; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 7 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879, where he recovered.

Folio 20: Albert Charles Aitkins, aged 26, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 8 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879. His case turned out to be a mild form of small pox following revaccination.

Folio 20: Robert John Day, aged 18, Domestic; disease or hurt, variola. Put on sick list, 8 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 20: Henry Perry, aged, 20, Stoker; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 8 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 20: William Passingham, aged 17, Boy; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 8 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: George Challen, aged 20, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: William H Burfield, aged 23, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879, where he died on the sixth day from leaving the ship.

Folio 21: Samuel Thorn, aged 19, Domestic; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: Thomas Clayton, aged 23, Private Royal Marine Light Infantry; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: Alfred Newberry, aged 17, Boy; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: Thomas Lowe, aged 24 Gunner Royal Marine Artillery; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: John Cook, aged 19, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: Edward Fabrey, aged 24, Stoker; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: John Dalton, aged 23, Stoker; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 9 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 9 February 1879.

Folio 21: John Bracegirdle, aged 20, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 10 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora,10 February 1879.

Folio 22: Francis Romilly, aged 34, Commander; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 10 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora,10 February 1879.

Folio 22: Albert Moore, aged 38, Leading Stoker; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 11 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora,11 February 1879.

Folio 22: Edwin Porter, aged 22, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 11 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora,11 February 1879.

Folio 22: Thomas Strong, aged 32, Ship's Corporal; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 11 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora,11 February 1879.

Folio 22: Thomas Martin, aged 23, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 13 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora,13 February 1879.

Folio 22: Lucas Rose, aged 23, Stoker, 'a coloured man'; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 13 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 13 February 1879.

Folio 23: Mr Charles H Biddick, aged 27, Engineer; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 13 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS Flora, 13 February 1879.

Folio 23: William Henry Adshind, aged 32, Gun Room Steward; disease or hurt, varioloid fever. Put on sick list, 14 February 1879, at Simon's Bay. Transferred to HMS
Flora, 14 February 1879.

Folio 23: Isaac Hill, aged 17, Boy; disease or hurt, fracture of base of skull from fall from aloft. Died, 18 February 1879. He fell overboard from the futtock rigging but struck the fish davits.

Folios 23-24: Frederick Pelly, aged 30, Lieutenant, SS Pretoria; disease or hurt, temporary mental derangement. Put on sick list, 21 March 1879, at Durban. Discharged, 27 March 1879. Admitted to the sick list on the Pretoria suffering diarrhoea but became convinced he was being pursued by some men who wanted to throw him overboard, he searched the ship for an hour and a half with his sword and an attendant, looking for enemies. He was transferred to the Boadicea. On his recovery he was recommended to not indulge in any alcoholic stimulants.

Folio 24: Ho Tin Chuan, aged 26, Chinese Sub Lieutenant; disease or hurt, melancholia. Put on sick list, 1 April 1879, at Durban. Discharged to the Transport Steamer Egypt for passage to Simon's Bay, 16 April 1879. 'He appears very much emaciated and labours under illusion and groundless grievances and had all the appearance of one addicted to vicious practices and attributed his present state to spermatorrhoea'. He was treated with cold baths and sent to the Royal Naval Hospital at Simon's Bay and invalided from there.

Folios 24-25: John Blackwell, aged 35, Carpenter's Crew; disease or hurt, rupture of the ligamentum patella with displacement. Put on sick list, 13 April 1879, at sea off

Durban. Discharged, 2 June 1879. He was carrying something down a ladder to the engine room when the accident occurred. With an illustration on folio 24 of a specially made splint and on folio 25 of splints designed to move the patella back into place and hold it there.

Folio 25: William E Clark, aged 24, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, dysenteric diarrhoea and debility. Put on sick list, 12 May 1879, at Durban. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Town, 16 June 1879.

Folio 25: Frank Parfitt, aged 26, Bombardier Royal Marine Artillery; disease or hurt, gun shot wound right arm and shoulder. Put on sick list, 2 April 1879, at the Battle of Ginginhlovo [Gingindlovu]. Discharged from the base hospital at Durban to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 2 May 1879, and subsequently invalided. A pension certificate was awarded.

Folio 25: Philip Conday, aged 40, Carpenter's Mate; disease or hurt, splinter wound, right knee. Put on sick list, 2 April 1879, at the Battle of Ginginhlovo [Gingindlovu]. Discharged from the base hospital at Durban to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, and subsequently invalided. A pension certificate was awarded.

Folio 25: Walter Hinchley, aged 18, Bugler; disease or hurt, gun shot wound right thigh. Put on sick list, 2 April 1879, at the Battle of Ginginhlovo [Gingindlovu]. Discharged from the base hospital at Durban to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, and subsequently invalided. A pension certificate was awarded.

Folio 26: Joseph Brazier, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, fever remittent. Put on sick list, 27 May 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, [16] June 1879. He had suffered fever and dysentery when serving with the Naval Brigade and had returned to the ship from the base hospital at Durban on 24 May 1879.

Folio 26: John William Killberg, aged 42, Boatswain; disease or hurt, varix. Put on sick list, 6 June 1879, off Durban. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 June 1879, and subsequently invalided.

Folio 27: William Fabian, aged 20, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, diarrhoea with debility. Put on sick list, 10 June 1879, Durban. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 June 1879. Received from the Civil Hospital at Durban where he had been sent for dysentery while serving an imprisonment.

Folio 27: John B Bennett, aged 27, Lieutenant; disease or hurt, diarrhoea and debility after fever in Zulu Land. Put on sick list, 15 June 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 June 1879. Had been in the Military Hospital at Durban since mid April.

Folio 27: John Cashman, aged 49, Leading Stoker; disease or hurt, stricture of urethra and cataract of left eye. Put on sick list, 15 June 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 June 1879.

Folio 27: Edward Quale, aged 20, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis secondary. Put on sick list, 19 June 1879, Simon's Bay. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 19 June 1879, and subsequently invalided. He had been to Haslar Hospital with primary syphilis in March 1877.

Folio 27: Richard Gillis, aged 27, Leading Seaman; disease or hurt, wound and contusion of right leg. Put on sick list, 22 April 1879, off Durban. Discharged, 11 June 1879. Complained again, 22 June 1879, and was sent to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 23 June 1879. A pension certificate was issued.

Folio 28: George Malam, aged 43, Stoker; disease or hurt, varix. Put on sick list, 26 May 1879, off Durban. Discharged, 31 May 1879. Again presented himself, 22 June 1879, at Simon's Bay and was sent to the Royal Naval Hospital, 23 June 1879.

Folio 28: B C Wyngard, aged 30, Lieutenant; disease or hurt, syphilis secondary. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 8 July 1879

Folio 28: Charles Stevens, aged 30, Captain of the Main Top; disease or hurt, remittent fever. Returned from Durban in HMS Euphrates and was sent by the Medical Officer to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 14 July 1879. He had contracted his fever while serving with the Naval Brigade.

Folio 28: William Tyler, aged 21, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, remittent fever. Returned from Durban in HMS Euphrates and was sent by the Medical Officer to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 14 July 1879. He had contracted his fever while serving with the Naval Brigade.

Folio 28: William Hall, aged 20, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, remittent fever. Returned from Durban in HMS Euphrates and was sent by the Medical Officer to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 14 July 1879. He had contracted his fever while serving with the Naval Brigade.

Folio 28: James Rich, aged 23, Leading Seaman; disease or hurt, ulcer. Put on sick list, 30 July 1879, in Simon's Bay. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 11 August 1879. Stated that his ulcer had got worse since receiving a blow on it while with the Naval Brigade.

Folio 28: Edwin Porter, aged 23, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, remittent fever. Put on sick list, 9 August 1879, Simon's Bay. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 11 August 1879. Had returned with the Naval Brigade on 6 August 1879.

Folios 28-29: Stephen Wright, aged 28, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 15 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 15 August 1879.

Folio 29: George Vinal, aged 19, Gun Room Servant; disease or hurt, syphilis secondary. Put on sick list, [no date]. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, [no date but the same day he presented himself].

Folio 29: Samuel Thorn, aged 17, Warrant Officer’s Domestic; disease or hurt, syphilis secondary and bubo sympathetic. Put on sick list, 17 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 25 August 1879.

Folio 29: John Dalton, aged 23, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 19 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 22 August 1879.

Folio 29: John Green, aged 22, Corporal Royal Marine; disease or hurt, debility after remittent fever. Put on sick list, 22 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 22 August 1879. Discharged from hospital 18 August 1879, he went on leave on 19 August to Cape Town and on his return to Simon's Town, was found to be suffering giddiness and general malaise.

Folio 29: Henry Pearse, aged 33, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, dysentery. Put on sick list, 22 August 1879, in Simon's Bay. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 25 August 1879. Discharged from hospital, 29 September 1879, and invalided, 3 November 1879. He had suffered debility in May after serving with the Naval Brigade.

Folio 29: Daniel Bone, aged 24, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, contusion. Sent to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 22 August 1879. Found drunk on shore with severe contusions of the face and head.

Folio 29: Robert Riley, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, orchitis. Put on sick list, 23 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 25 August 1879.

Folio 30: Thomas Stamp, aged 20, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 24 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 25 August 1879.

Folio 30: William Knight, aged 25, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 25 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay,25 August 1879.

Folio 30: Henry Creamer, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 25 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 25 August 1879.

Folio 30: John Green, aged 26, Armourer’s Crew; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 25 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 25 August 1879.

Folio 30: John Bickford, aged 26, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, contusion. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 28 August 1879. Struck on the left side by a block while hogging the ship and knocked insensible for two or three minutes.

Folio 30: John Merrett, aged 20, Stoker; disease or hurt, epididymitis. Put on sick list, 30 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 2 September 1879.

Folio 30: Charles Clements, aged 30, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 30 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 2 September 1879.

Folio 31: John Moyer, aged 24, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, fever remittent. Put on sick list, 1 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 2 September 1879.

Folio 31: Henry Maynard, aged 27, Sail Maker; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 3 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay,16 September 1879. He had returned to the ship on 4 August after serving with the Naval Brigade.

Folio 31: William Halliday, aged 20, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 4 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 September 1879.

Folio 31: Albert Barrett, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 6 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 September 1879.

Folio 31: Frederick Silk, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 6 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 September 1879.

Folio 31: James Gibbs, aged 24, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 13 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 September 1879.

Folio 31: Joseph Dodds, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 14 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 September 1879.

Folio 31: Edward McCarten, aged 22, Bombardier Royal Marine Artillery; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 16 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 September 1879.

Folio 32: John Green, aged 22, Lance Corporal Royal Marine; disease or hurt, cynanche. Put on sick list, 16 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 September 1879.

Folio 32: Benjamin Whitmore, aged 18, Signal Man; disease or hurt, gonorrhoea. Put on sick list, 17 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 17 September 1879.

Folio 32: James Foyer, aged 32, Gunner’s Mate; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 17 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 18 September 1879.

Folio 32: William Richardson, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 27 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 27 September 1879.

Folio 32: William Murphy, aged 18, Boy; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 16 September 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 17 September 1879.

Folio 32: George Seal, aged 20, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, phlegmon. Put on sick list, 28 August 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 October 1879.

Folios 32-33: Thomas Martin, aged 23, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, contused wound of left hand. Put on sick list, 1 October 1879. Discharged, 9 November 1879. His hand was crushed by the falling of a port flap, the first three fingers were much contused and lacerated.

Folio 33: George Parker, aged 17, Boy; disease or hurt, pneumonia. Put on sick list, 1 October 1879, in Simon's Bay. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 2 October 1879.

Folio 33: Ada Magula, aged 30, Captain of the Hold; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 4 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 4 October 1879. Had also been on the list in September.

Folio 33: John Burns, aged 20, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 5 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 5 October 1879.

Folio 33: Henry Helbert, aged 29, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 6 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 October 1879.

Folio 33: Thomas Stamp, aged 21, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis secondary. Put on sick list, 6 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 October 1879. Had been in the hospital with primary syphilis until two weeks earlier.

Folio 33: James Roche, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 6 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 October 1879.

Folio 34: Mr Samuel Williams, aged 35, Engineer; disease or hurt, ulcer of shin. Put on sick list, 8 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 October 1879.

Folio 34: James Lloyd, aged 32, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, stricture of the urethra. Put on sick list, 8 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 October 1879.

Folio 34: William Lee, aged 23, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 8 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 October 1879.

Folio 34: Jack Lewis, aged 30, Krooman; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 9 October 1879, at Simon's Bay. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 October 1879.

Folio 34: Matthew Bird, aged 30, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 10 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 13 October 1879.

Folio 34: James White, aged 27, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 11 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 13 October 1879.

Folio 35: Henry Cramer, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, fever simple continued. Put on sick list, 20 October 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 27 October 1879.

Folio 35: John Bennett Esquire, aged 27, Lieutenant; disease or hurt, hepatitis. Put on sick list, 21 October 1879. Invalided, 3 November 1879, and ordered a passage to England in the Union Mail Steamer German.

Folios 35-36: Ada Magula, aged 30, Captain of the Hold; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 26 October 1879. Invalided, 3 November 1879, and ordered a passage to England in the Union Mail Steamer German.

Folio 36: Tim Doubleblock, aged 30, Krooman; disease or hurt, hernia inguinal. Put on sick list, 1 November 1879. Invalided, 3 November 1879, and ordered a passage to Sierra Leone but not issued a pension certificate as 'he did not come within the limits of the instruction'.

Folio 36: John Gibbs, aged 24, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, gonorrhoea and epididymitis. Put on sick list, 4 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 4 November 1879.

Folio 36: William Richardson, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, scabies. Put on sick list, 6 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 6 November 1879.

Folio 36: Henry Harkins, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 11 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 November 1879.

Folio 36: Frederick Martins, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 14 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, [24] November 1879.

Folio 36: Charles Harris, aged 25, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 17 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 18 November 1879.

Folio 36: Henry Alspos, aged 22, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary and bubo. Put on sick list, 17 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 18 November 1879.

Folio 36: Stephen Wright, aged 23, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary and buboes. Put on sick list, 18 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 18 November 1879.

Folio 36: William Barnes, aged 23, Yeoman of Stores; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, no date recorded.

Folio 37: James White, aged 27, Able Seaman; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 26 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 29 November 1879.

Folio 37: James Allen, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 27 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 8 December 1879.

Folio 37: Thomas Stamp, aged 21, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, rheumatism (syphilitic). Put on sick list, 28 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 29 November 1879.

Folio 37: Joseph Dodds, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 28 November 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 29 November 1879.

Folio 37: John Clynch, aged 24, [E R A]; disease or hurt, orchitis. Put on sick list, 5 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 12 December 1879.

Folio 37: Robert Riley, aged 18, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, orchitis. Put on sick list, 6 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 8 December 1879.

Folio 37: Tom Peter, aged 24, Krooman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary and bubo. Put on sick list, 8 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 8 December 1879.

Folio 38: Tim Sampson, aged 25, Krooman; disease or hurt, syphilis primary and bubo. Put on sick list, 9 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 December 1879.

Folio 38: William Hill, aged 28, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, syphilis primary and bubo. Put on sick list, 9 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 December 1879.
Folio 38: John Moyer, aged 23, Private Royal Marine; disease or hurt, cephalalgia. Put on sick list, 8 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 9 December 1879.

Folio 38: Frederick Fisher, aged 25, Stoker; disease or hurt, syphilis primary and bubo. Put on sick list, 11 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 12 December 1879.

Folio 38: James Mathisson, aged 23, Stoker; disease or hurt, syphilis primary. Put on sick list, 14 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 16 December 1879.

Folios 38-39: William Davis, aged 30, Shipwright; disease or hurt, fracture of both bones of left leg. Put on sick list, 17 December 1879. Discharged to the Royal Naval Hospital, Simon's Bay, 17 December 1879. He slipped from the bottom step of the ladder and his leg went into the ventilating shaft. He had a simple fracture of the tibia and of the fibula.

Folio 39: Richard Goodall, aged 19, Ordinary Seaman; disease or hurt, drowned, 20 December 1879. The boat capsized while being lowered, his body was not recovered.

Folio 40: Blank folio.

Folio 41: Table I, Places visited by the ship.

Folio 41: Table II, A list of men who received wounds or hurts. John Blackman, aged 35, Carpenter's Crew, certificate 11 April 1879, rupture of left patella. Frank Parfitt, aged 26, Gunner Royal Marine Artillery, certificate 30 June 1879, gun shot wound. Philip Condoy, aged 40, Carpenter's Mate, certificate 30 June 1879, contused splinter wound right knee. John Hinchley, aged 18, Bugler Boy, certificate 30 June 1879, gun shot right thigh. Richard Gillis, aged 28, Leading Seaman, certificate 30 June 1879, contused and lacerated wound right leg. Thomas Martin, aged 23, Able Seaman, certificate 30 December 1879, left hand crushed. William Davis, aged 30, Shipwright, certificate 17 December 1879, fracture both bones right leg.

Folio 42: Table III, All cases between 1 January 1879 and 31 December 1879. Average numerical strength of ship's company 307.1 305.

Folio 43: Table IV, not completed.

Folio 44: Table V, The number of cases arranged by age group.

Folio 44: Table VI, not completed.

Folios 45-53: Surgeon's general remarks. Folios 45 to 48 describe the epidemic of small pox introduced into the ship by Kroomen picked up at Sierra Leone in December 1878. The lack of vaccination and the process of recruiting Kroomen is briefly described and a chronological table shows the progress of the disease between 27 December 1878 and 14 February 1879. The individual cases are discussed briefly. On arrival at Simon's Bay, HMS Flora was cleared and the infected and all the Kroomen transferred to her and the Boadicea was fumigated. A table on folio 47 lists numbers of cases and their outcomes, divided into European Officers and Men and Kroomen. From 21 February to 7 March the ship was in quarantine at Saldanha Bay. Folios 48 to 50 detail the medical supplies for the Naval Brigade, with a list on folios 48 and 49, with a drawing of a haversack carried by one of the bearers on folio 49. On folio 49 there is also a copy of a letter from Dr [Pollard] at Ginginhlovu, dated 14 April 1879, begging for more medicine, because 'Dr Shields has demanded a lot of things from Durban but there is too much red tape to be got through and after all the things don't come'. There is a list of the extra medicine supplied. Folios 49 to 50 describe the casualties among the men of the Boadicea serving with the Naval Brigade; two deaths from disease and some wounded. On 11 June 1879 the Boadicea received on board the remains of the Prince Imperial Louis Napoleon for passage to Simon's Bay, where they were transferred to HMS Orontes for passage to England. A number of the men who returned from the front were suffering from remittent fever. Folios 50 to 53 discuss the diseases encountered during the year.

Folios 54-56: Blank folios.

Folios 57-64: Alphabetical Sick List.

Covering dates 1879

Held by The National Archives, Kew

Legal status Public Record(s)

Admin,

The transcriber who copied the medical journal got O'Malley's name wrong. It is not 'James P"

Fleet Surgeon James Nicholas Joseph O’Malley, HMS Boadicea (Thanks Tom. Name corrected) Admin
29 Sep 1832 Born in Galway, Ireland

23 Apr 1856 Entered the Navy as an Assistant Surgeon (rank changed to Surgeon in 1873)

23 Apr 1856 Assistant Surgeon on HMS Childers (Brig-Sloop, West Coast of Africa) engaged in the suppression of the slave trade

1 Jan 1858 Assistant Surgeon, additional, on HMS Victory (Flag Ship, Portsmouth) for service on HMS Rolla, Brig, Tender to “Victory”

16 Jun 1860 Assistant Surgeon on HMS St. George (Screw Steam Ship, Particular Service)

13 Jun 1864 Assistant Surgeon, additional, on HMS Boscawen (Training Ship for Boys, Southampton) for service on HMS Ferret, Brig, Tender to “Boscawen”

18 Nov 1865 Promoted to Surgeon (rank changed to Staff Surgeon 1873)

2 Jun 1866 Surgeon on HMS Peterel (Sloop, Cape of Good Hope)

14 Jun 1871 Surgeon on HMS Research (Sloop, Mediterranean)

1873 Rank changed to Staff Surgeon

1876 Staff Surgeon appointed to HMS Sultan

28 Nov 1877 Promoted to Fleet Surgeon

24 Apr 1878 Fleet Surgeon on HMS Boadicea (Flag Ship, Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa) served on board during the Zulu War, South Africa Medal, no clasp; also served during 1st Boer War

Apr 1882 Fleet Surgeon on HMS Thalia (Corvette, Particular Service) returning to England after being relieved on “Boadicea”

27 Dec 1882 Fleet Surgeon at Portsmouth Dockyard

30 Dec 1885 Fleet Surgeon on HMS Excellent (Gunnery Ship, Portsmouth)

29 Sep 1887 Placed on the Retired List with permission to assume the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets

29 Jun 1908 Died at age 76 in Southsea


Petty Officer Tom