Seamen's Hospital Society 'Dreadnought'

[Brian Probetts (Site Admin)]

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[j.sabourn]

In May 1991 a sister from the Dreadnought hospital received an award at Harrogate together in anther ceremony conducted immediately after another 5 merchant seamen were also presented with the Numast award. I beleive this was the first time this award had been presented as was totally new. She has the distinction to be the first woman to have received. I have a copy of the article somewhere but after decorating things haven’t gone back in their correct places. So when I do find will post her name and particulars. I beleive the next award whenever it was
2 year or 4 years later was to the Canadian shipping minister , this is not positive because I lost touch and Numast I beleive disappeared to Holland. The dreadnought was still going in 1991 but don’t know anymore about it since. JS

[robpage]

I believe now John it's called Nautilus I have after 30 years in a non seafaring occupation having finally given up going to see in 1986 have just received a grant from them for a disabled bathroom and Nautilus International as far as I'm concerned the sun shines out of their backside

[j.sabourn]

A good friend of mine who was drowned at sea, they were very good with his widow and kids also. I only used them once although was a member for 38 years and that was to use a solicitor , to watch my back at an inquiry.
They were also at one time involved with the mnopf but have in the past few years handed the reins to an insurance company. Every so often get a letter to see if I’m still alive. Cheers JS

[Captain Kong]

The Dreadnought Seamens Hospital in Greenwich closed down several years ago, in 1986, I had two operations there, , and it was transferred to St Thomas`s Hospital facing the Houses of Parliament, they have 2 wards there for Seamen , but share with NHS if not used.
Services for seamen and their families are provided by the Dreadnought Unit at St Thomas' Hospital. It allows eligible Merchant seafarers access to priority medical treatment, except cardiac surgery, and is funded by central government with money separate from other NHS trust funds. It originally consisted of two 28-bed wards, but nowadays Dreadnought patients are treated according to clinical need and so are placed in the ward most suitable for their medical condition.
I had a Cancer operation there a few years ago.

[john walker]

When The Dreadnought Seaman's hospital was a going concern at Greenwich, I was there twice in the early 70's and late 70's if I remember rightly in the Northumberland and Somerset wards which were the last 2 of the 4 wards remaining for merchant seamen. Everything about the place was excellent from the consultant surgeons down to the junior nursing staff. Both times I remember that like all hospitals the food was basic but good and if you wished, the nurses when changing shift in the evening would bring you in a fish and chips or pie mash and liquer from Goddards just over the road. If you were not on serious medication they would even bring you in a bottle of beer to wash it down. The last time I was there recovering after surgery as an out patient having an appointment to see the surgeon it was busy. I was asked by the porter/receptionist that the appointments were running late and if I wished to go over to the cricketer's pub (opposite) they would send a porter to get me when the consultant was ready. On Friday I was down at Greenwich on a ferry trip/boys day out, my mates were straight in the pub. Because I had not been there in so many years I thought It would be nice to see if I could gain entry to the 'Dreadnought' No problem it is part of the University of Greenwich, the thing that I liked most ,was that beside old photographs there were still a lot of the original plaques that used to be over beds in the wards like 'This bed is payed for by an endowment or by a bequest by Captain ??? or for a Chinese seaman etc. etc.' It is great things like that have not been thrown in the dustbin. It is a shame that they are not more open to the general public , maybe the Docklands museum here in London or one of the maritime museums around the country could take care of what little Merchant Navy History/Heritage is left because the National Maritime Museum just up the road shows very little of our Mercantile History. On a lighter note the Cricketer's pub closed a few years ago as well as Goddards pie and mash shop. God works in mysterious ways for Londoners ,the site that was the Cricketers has re-opened as a new Goddards serving traditional Pies mash liquer and jellied eels and beer. So for me a trip to Greenwich is not completely wasted.

[Colin McClelland]

Information for Dreadnought.

[j.sabourn]

A simple post like the owner of site has put up , can bring many responses, it jogs people’s memorys of yesteryear. The staff of such institutions were mostly people of great moral standards for their day. And as like someone just said these are the establishments that should be remembered as were true havens of safety for seafarers of the day. Museums should be used for mementos and the place where people can go and sight such.
Saying that I have in the past offered various things to museums with no response so have given up on them , whether they have restrictions placed on them by third parties , who knows ? Today one doesn’t know what to think. We do not live in a free open society as many seem to think. JS

Sorry have found the page I was looking for ex. Telegraph 1991. And the lady in question is not on the same page , but may yet turn up. What few stories are on the page I have resemble how things were in the early 90s.
Such as titles strategic role is threatened. British shipping on course for oblivion. Good registers to gain from safety concerns, seafarers slaughtered as ship standards are cut. Upgraded SBV fleet demanded. Nuclear cargoes on special ships only. Keep up Derbyshire pressure. Union will fight training cuts. Modular caution. Multi-role cadet call. Demands for tough controls on hours. Rejection for ETO training. BGM backs ROs skills. Masters need support. Members seek cash for drills.
Unfortuanetley the lady who received the Award must have been on another page.
However the 5 merchant seamen at the end of the summary and story. “ these were the first Numast Awards to be presented following a recent decision by Council to mark particular achievement or works or acts of distinction by members or others.
As regards the other headings I wouldn’t dare to offer a percentage of success rates, as no doubt it will be minimal.
JS

[j.sabourn]

Caramba in place of the proper word, I’ve found it...
Sisters Award...
In every way a good ambassador for seafarers health- that was the tribute paid to Sister Phil Lake of the Dreadnought Unit , when council chairman Bev Minter presented her with the NUMAST Award.
Mr Minter said Sister Lake had become a legend in her job as administrator of the specialist seafarers facilities within St. Thomas”s Hospital in London.
Besides taking a keen personal interest in the seafarers being treated at the unit and visiting the wards each day, she also regularly attends meetings of other welfare maritime welfare organisations .
In presenting the Award to Sister Lake , Mr. Minter said NUMAST Council was marking her personal commitment and efforts on behalf of seafarers , as well as demonstrating support for the Dreadnought Unit.
Mrs. Lake told BGM she felt honoured to be given the Award , and she added —Use the Unit more - because if you don’t use it , it will be lost and that would be very sad.

JS

[happy daze john in oz]

I was given papers to go there for a Hernia repair way back in 65.
When I spoke to my GP he told me 'no' you will go the a better one and had me admitted to Lewisham general hospital.

He never explained why and me not asking has left me wondering why he did what he did.