appendix op

[Michael Lewis]

Does anyone remember when captain king of the Port Nelson, operated on a galley boy called Eric Gathercole back in 1966 ? We were at sea and the weather was rough. The Captain operated while being instructed over the radio phone ( so I was told ) That skipper had some courage !

[happy daze john in oz]

Does anyone remember when captain king of the Port Nelson, operated on a galley boy called Eric Gathercole back in 1966 ? We were at sea and the weather was rough. The Captain operated while being instructed over the radio phone ( so I was told ) That skipper had some courage !

I have heard a similar story a number of times but never had it proven, did it happen or was it just a figment of some ones imagination?

[Rodney Mills]

In 1954 I was catering boy in the engineers mess on the Port Jackson. We answered a s.o.s from I believe a Dutch vessel and eventually pulled nearby and a llife boat was lowered and picked up a Dutch crew member. I and others had to clean and disinfect the Engineer's Mess and the dutchman was operated on for appendicitis. I seem to remember we had a doctor aboard who did the surgery, could have been a passenger or supernumerary.

Regards Rodney.

[Neville Roberts]

:I heard a story about a sailor who was in a life boat for a long time and did an apendix operation on himself ,with the sharp top of a can of food and needle and thread .doe,s anyone remember that story ,if its true he must have had nerves of steel

[Colin Hawken]

Really,or are you haing a lugh?

[Roger Dyer]

Hello Michael and Shipmates......Although I can add nothing to assist in your initial inquiry Michael, I think that the following is, perhaps, worth mentioning. Compared to an appendectomy performed at sea it pales into insignificance, but it does illustrate my own experience of medical treatment received from a ship's captain.
In 1958 I was a young J.O.S. on the 'Port Huon' (Port Line). We were mid-Pacific on our way to Oz when (due to my own stupidity about which I'd rather not elaborate) I suffered a deep cut across the index finger knuckle of my left hand. Bleeding profusely, I hurried amidships to seek help from the Chief Steward (who incidentally was 'fruit', as they used to say in those days). Somewhat flustered, the C/S led me up to the Sick-bay situated on the boat-deck next to the funnel. When, after some time, he managed to staunch the bleeding, he told me that the wound would require stitches. Being terrified of needles at the time, I started to feel some concern. Then he added that I may feel some discomfort because he would not be able to give me any sort of anaesthetic.......NO BL---Y ANAESTHETIC, OH MY GAWD!!!!. Being an abject coward I went into 'panic mode', desperately wishing I were somewhere else. To his credit, the C/S gave me a very large scotch which he suggested I drink down in one go ( it was beginning to seem like a scene from every B grade western I'd ever seen). Shortly thereafter he commenced to stitch the wound, whilst I was screaming like a 'stuck pig'. The fact that there was not a lot of flesh on that part of the hand did not help matters. The C/S had completed the first or second stitch and I was on the point of passing out when the sick-bay door suddenly opened. Captain Wight entered the room demanding to know what on earth the C/S thought he was doing and continued to give him a frightful dressing down which seemed to go on for ever. This, of course, took place in the presence of a lowly rating (Y.T.) which I thought very unusual at the time. Finally, when told by the Captain to get out, the Chief Steward left without a word - I almost felt sorry for him. With a gentleness one would normally associate with a good doctor or nurse, Captain Wight removed the suture(s) and dressed the wound in such a manner that the edges of the cut were drawn together to promote a natural healing process. He explained to me that as long as I took care, after a week or so the wound would heal with the minimum of scarring and of course, he was right. I still bear a tiny scar on my knuckle which will always remind me of my indebtedness to a ship's captain whose timely intervention all those years ago saved me from unnecessary pain and anguish......It seems that the skills required of a Master Mariner in those days were manifold, is it still the same I wonder?.................Cheers, Roger.

P.S. For those members that may not be aware, back in the 40's and 50's, Port line vessels did not normally carry a ships doctor. As passenger/cargo boats they were allowed to carry up to 12 passengers, and, I believe, it was common practice to offer free passage to any medical practitioner in exchange for services rendered to crew, etc whilst on voyage. The incident related above obviously occurred whilst there was no such doctor aboard. One thing that has always puzzled me though, why on earth the Chief Steward was never able to give me a 'local' anaesthetic ? Was it incompetence or lack of sufficient medical supplies?

l

[happy daze john in oz]

RogerIi think costs mate. Even on the liners there was only limited supplies and while the doc would alawys do his best it was sometimes only makeshift. Times were different then and i recall one case where a first class blood had recieved treatment during the voyage and had screamed blue murder when given the final account where all items were accounted for. to the extent that she had been charged sixpence each for asprins administered to her. But on the last cruise on person went to see the medical administrator, not refered to as doctors now, and for a five minute consultation for a sore throat was charged $269.

[Rodney Jenkins]

I must say that the experience suffered by Roger Dyer, was not unusual.On my second trip with the port Line, it was the Chalmers, and we had a female doctor as a passenger, she was always a bit worse the wear because of the drink she had taken. I unfortunately had a cyst behind my right ear(still got the rough scar to remind me), so I went to ask for some pain killers, she did no more, but say it had to come out! All I knew was it hurt like hell, so thought she would use a hypodermic to drain it, but no, she went at it with a scalpel!!! I ended up with half a dozen stitches, and almost fainted, as she never used any anesthetic, so by my reckoning, it must have been the norm to just go for it. The only good thing I remember about that trip was the fact, the doctor was a bit of a looker, and she was taking photo's as we came into Tonga, with the wind coming offshore, and her skirt had blown up her back, and all the crew were standing behind her, lol

[Albert Bishop]

Remember a doctor in Kobe who seemed to have a thing about removing appendix, Go with a cut finger, and if you still had you appendix you woud be in for the op. I thought at the time it was a money making thing. but I now wonder if he was concientious, and was practicing preventive medicine, Cheers, Albi

[Jim Brady]

I wonder if any PSNC guys remember carrying a "Dispenser" apparantley he was paid one shilling a Month but he got a trip down to South America.I remember when I was pantryman on the "Cotopaxi" we had such a "Dispenser"he used to dish out the medication from a cabinet in the working alleyway.My pantryboy got a "Full House" in Antofagasta and the "dispenser" tried to bar him from the pantry.I said he's only a "Pearl Diver" he dose'nt touch the food,such was the feeling in those days about anyone with" half a gross"
I said what should we do with him put a lable on him "unclean" and just put him on washing down bulkheads around the accommodation.I won the case with the Chief Steward and the kid was able to continue with his normal duties.
Regards.
Jim.B.