News From Fort Schuyler
June 2, 1998 - Volume 2, No. 26
PRELUDE - "As far as I know I may be the only cadet to have returned from my mug cruise with first class accommodations and with a substantial beer and cognac ration. If it's of any interest let me know and I will send details. "... " I would love to know if there is anything about [this event] in the log books." (E-mails from KARL E. HUBNER, Class of 1954.)
SST 1951 DOCUMENTS FROM THE ARCHIVES
#1 - Handwritten note from Captain Olivet's desk calendar.
7/31/51 Admitted to Sick Bay. Diagnosis: fever, cold and temperature.
8/03/51 Dr. Fetherston left at Dover. [Accompanying a cadet diagnosed with acute appendicitis according to an e-mail from K. Hubner]
8/05/51 French Naval Doctor examined the patient. Couldn't determine the illness.
8/06/51 Chief Surgeon of the French Naval Hospital examined the patient and recommended X-ray of chest and lungs. X-ray was taken the same day and patient admitted hospital for observation and diagnosis.
8/08/51 French Naval Doctor diagnosed patient as having suspected tuberculosis and recommended that he remain in French Naval hospital for 30-45 days of treatment before returning home.
#2 - Memorandum from American Consulate in Cherbourg, dated August 8, 1951.
To: Commanding Officer, S.S. Empire State
From: American Consulate, Cherbourg
The French Navy doctor who is caring for Cadet Hubner, hospitalized for tuberculosis, has informed the Consulate that he recommends keeping Cadet Hubner in the local hospital for 30 to 45 days. He says that it would be unwise for the man to attempt a journey to the United States by air. It is suggested that one of the ship's officers contact the Consulate to discuss this matter further.
THE DETAILS FROM KARL - During the second half of my mug cruise while I was assigned to the engine room, we spent a week in Edinburgh. Apparently leaving the engine room in a sweat and standing out on deck in line for the mess deck in the brisk Scottish climate put me under. By the time we left Edinburgh I had a fever of 105.
At our next stop, in Cherbourg, they put me in the hospital. Wasn't much of a hospital in those days and all they could tell us was that I had either pneumonia or TB and the tests to determine which would take a while. That was our last stop and after the powers that be spent some time discussing the problems of getting me back to the US, flying apparently not being acceptable with either TB or pneumonia, Capt. Olivet decided to bring me back in "isolation."
He moved the 4 CPOs out of their room on the main deck by the # 2 hatch and moved me in. By the time we left Cherbourg my fever was gone and I felt fine. I don't know if it was a carryover from my diet in the hospital, but some angel decided that a daily ration of wine, beer and/or cognac was an important part of the diet needed to fight whatever had bugged me. Sun was also considered beneficial, so I was given a lounge chair that I could put out on deck and watch my class mates proceed with the deck work. I don't remember sharing much of the beer or wine, but cognac wasn't for me, so I used to pass it on to others with a more discriminating taste, usually out the port holes in paper cups.
If I had to complain about anything, it would have to be that the medical assistant would occasionally forget to remove the beer from the wardroom freezer in time. And along with the room service meals from the wardroom, I would received a can of slush. Capt. Olivet used to stop in, probably each day, to see how I was doing.
By the time we arrived at Schuyler I doubtless had the best tan on the ship and, with the exception of being a bit overweight, was in excellent shape. There was a letter waiting from the hospital that informed me that the test results had come in and I had apparently had pneumonia and there was no sign of TB.
What a perfect cruise - Carl E. Hubner, Class of 1954
|
