§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is true that on the arrival of H.M.S "Boadicea" at Simon's Bay on January 28th, with some cases of smallpox on board among the Kroomen, leave was refused by the Colonial sanitary authorities for the sick men to be sent on shore to the naval hospital, and whether in consequence the progress of the disease on board was seriously increased; and, whether the presence of the "Boadicea" and her ship's company at Natal would have been of the utmost national importance during the time she was detained by the action of the colonial authorities?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHSir, I must express my extreme regret that this fine ship could not, on her arrival at the Cape, have proceeded at once to Natal. She arrived at the Cape with 14 cases of 1316 smallpox on board, and it is true that the Colonial authorities refused permission to land the sick men. They were, however, transferred to the Flora, the receiving ship, and it was hoped that this action would have stamped out the disease. Unfortunately, a second attack broke out a fortnight later, and still further detained her. After these outbreaks, it was absolutely necessary that the ship's company should be isolated and the ship remain in quarantine for fumigation, etc. Therefore, had the ship proceeded to Natal, her services could not have been utilized. The Colonial authorities imposed a quarantine of 21 days from the date of the last appearance of smallpox on board the ship.