1916: A Hospital Ship’s Launch is Celebrated with Doves and Flowers

February 5, 1916

A hospital ship was launched at the Jackson and Sharp shipyards of the American Car and Foundry Company in Wilmington, Delaware. This vessel was built for use by St. John’s Guild, a charity in New York City that was founded in 1866 and focused on addressing the health needs of medically underserved children and their caregivers in that part of the United States.

The operation of vessels to help carry out this mission became one of the guild’s defining components. These ships, which were engineless to considerably reduce vibrations that might have a negative impact on sick children traveling on board, were routinely pulled around on New York’s waterways by tugboats. Along with providing welcome outings for young city residents, the guild’s hospital ships were also vaunted as opportunities for passengers to enjoy what was seen in that era as the curative effects of both fresh air and salt water. In addition, the children on these vessels were examined and treated on a regular basis by medical professionals on board.

The first of the guild’s hospital ships was River Belle (eventually renamed Emma Abbott), which went into service in 1875 and remained in operation until 1903. A second ship was introduced in 1899. This one was named in honor of Helen C. Juillard (1847-1916), a notable benefactor of various causes and projects in the city. She had donated money to St. John’s Guild for the building of an additional ship. This vessel remained in use until 1916, when she was replaced by a ship that was also paid for by Juillard and named after her.

The launch of Helen C. Juillard II took place at around four o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. Approximately 25 people attended this ceremony. They included Helen Juillard, who died about two months later; her husband August D. Juillard (1836-1919), a prominent Manhattan banker: and members of St. John’s Guild.

Catherine Cossitt Rogers (1878-1958), a niece of the Juillards, served as the ship’s sponsor during the launch. Instead of carrying out the conventional practice of smashing a bottle for the occasion, she instead pulled a rope that opened a large basket containing flowers tied with red, white, and blue ribbons. This basket was also filled with doves, all of whom took to the skies as the ship slid into the waters.

Later that same year, the New York Times provided details about Helen C. Juillard II. “The ship is about 240 feet [73.2 meters] long and is equipped for all emergencies,” reported this newspaper. “It has an operating room, a morgue, and a quarantine ward, and its staff consists of specially trained doctors and nurses. Many prominent medical men and social workers have visited it recently and all have expressed their appreciation of its splendid equipment.”

Helen C. Juillard II remained in service as a hospital ship for St. John’s Guild until being retired in 1933. The accompanying images of this vessel were published in the February 1916 issue of International Marine Engineering magazine.

Image Credit: Public Domain

Additional information on Helen C. Juillard II and other hospital ships is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_Hospital