2-798-844 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Éclair steamer and "The Lazarette" off Motherbank, 1845. 'L'Eclair sailed from Devonport...having a crew of 146 officers and men, for the coast of Africa, on which station she remained until the 23rd of July last, up to which period she had lost nine men from the common coast fever. Four days after sailing from Sierra Leone, one man died with fever and black vomit, the first case of the kind which had taken place...eighteen were attacked with the same fever, with black vomit...the disease continued to spread rapidly amongst the crew...permission having been obtained from the Portuguese Governor, it was determined to land the crew, sick and well, and purify the vessel...Every measure was taken to purity the ship by washing and whitewashing, fumigation....The disease...continued to prevail amongst the officers and men on shore, thirty-one men having died...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.