The Health of the Royal Navy

1865 to 1866

Written by Godfrey Dykes

© RN Communications Branch Museum/Library

  What follows is a fascinating story of the HEALTH of the Royal Navy in mid Victorian times. I could have so easily chosen a different and more modern period but reading and researching this period had me spell-bound. It tells the story of every sailor in every individual ship {as a statistic] no matter where in the world it was stationed, and covers death from falling from aloft; suicide; vomiting; alcoholic poisoning; murder; drowning; accidents; KIA; died of wounds received; and plain old disappearing without trace, as well as all the diseases prevalent in the world in the mid 19th century, chief of which, was venereal disease, especially for sailors stationed in any of the five 'home station' bases - Nore, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Cork and the Channel Squadron, most of which was non-sea going.

  Despite the sub title above referring to 1865-66, I will start off with just a few pages from an article written about the health of the navy in 1864. It sets the scene about the health of those stationed in the UK. Home Station 1864-1865

  Thus VD was rife and all ships lost members of their company to hospitals for treatment. Surprisingly, other documents of this period also suggest that VD in the UK ports was always much more prevalent than it was where one might expect it more, namely in the foreign ports. Before leaving this 1864 document, I give you this little insight into the thinking of naval officer cadets vis-a-vis boys, both groups training afloat in training ships. Dartmouth Training Ship Haven't I heard that somewhere more recently? Oh yes! Women go to the doctor when feeling unwell and "silly" men don't! Does that mean that women are more intelligent than us gentlemen?

  Now without further ado, let's start the story of the HEALTH of the Navy in 1865-1866. A most detailed and comprehensive report. Statistical Abstract Report.

  For the bloodthirsty amongst you, the following two files carry specific details of death and injuries. In the second file you will Home on page 10, Med on page 7, China on page 7, Pacific on page 4, South East Coast America on page 4, West Coast of Africa on page 7, Australia on page 4, East Indies on page 4, West Indies on page 7 and Irregulars on page 7.