Date: Thu, 23 May 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To: H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War H-MINERVA@h-net.msu.edu
Subject: QUERY: Women and Hospital Ships

Subj: Women and hospital ships
Date: 96-05-22 22:14:35 EDT
From: John Gilinsky

I am writing a history of the hospital ship from around the world covering all periods and types of vessels/crafts. Women and hospital ships are strongly connected and not just as nurses. Many women in differing cultures served as pharmacists,administrators,organizers,physicians aboard such vessels. Medical missionary movements frequently employed women. Moreover many medical historians frequently overlook the volunteer logisticial support that civilians including many women's organizations furnished for armed forces' medical relief. For the United States the United States Sanitary Commission perhaps is the largest and best known for the era of the Civil War but there were several others such as the Western Sanitary Commission and innumerable state soldier relief societies where women played major roles in administration and politically lobbying local politicians in support of their husbands and brothers. Both the USS Haven during the Korean War and the USS Sanctuary in the waning years of the Vietnam War played crucial roles in fostering women's direct participation as crew members within the U.S.Navy.

Can anyone who sees this notice for assistance please respond if they have knowledge of unpublished, rare documentation, materials, sources, contacts, veterans that deal in fair measure with such vessels/crafts? I am interested in all kinds of materials whether published or not including cartographical,iconographical,bibliographical, telnet://etc...including both official and unofficial. Hospital ships especially produced some interesting items such as newspapers, cruise or log books, souvenirs, commissioning/decommissioning brochures, rosters, histories and the like. For World War Two several hospital ship platoons/sections had published histories of their war work while cruise books were also produced from at least World War Two and possibly earlier. For Great Britain the earliest hospital ship newspaper known to the author dates from 1900 during the South African(or Boer)War. Female nurses were aboard British hospital ships from at least the early 18th century(and possibly earlier)per official regulations regarding their pay.

The last administrative officer of the USS Sanctuary has been in touch with me but I am sure that there are many others whether veterans, researchers or interested parties who may wish to help me with this major history. I now have over 1700 vessels/crafts from over 35 organizations,nations from 1510 to present. For the United States I have at least 250 vessels/crafts with Civil War and World War Two taking up the bulk of such medical/health care purpose vessels. Web sites,e-mail addresses,discussion groups are of course of great interest as well.

Thanks to all who respond! My mailing address is:

John Gilinsky
P.O.Box 481,Station P,
Toronto,Ontario
M5S 2T1
Canada

(Mailing preferred if you have graphics or long attachments to your e-mail since my e-mail is quite basic and accepts no graphics whatsoever)

Date: Thu, 23 May 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To: H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War H-MINERVA@h-net.msu.edu
Subject: REPLY: Women and Hospital Ships

Subj: Re: QUERY: Women and Hospital Ships
Date: 96-05-23 17:07:40 EDT
From: Judy Giesberg

I'm researching the USSC Hospital Ships and have just prepared a short paper for the Berkshire Conference on these women. One of the chapters of my dissertation is on the ships, and I would really like to collaborate with you. I'm pretty familiar with the material available for my women, but I would love to have the opportunity to share notes. I have spent years in the USSC papers!!

Judy Giesberg
History Department
Boston College

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