By Dr. Allan Marble
The state of Halifax's hospital was a concern for Nova Scotia's lieutenant-governor during the late 1700s.
On Aug. 6, 1781, Sir Andrew Hamond wrote: "I was particularly struck with the miserable accomodation (sic) which this place [Halifax] affords to sick and wounded seaman as are so unfortunate to be sent here for care. There are at present 107 patients in what is called the Hospital, a great part of which number inhabit a decayed storehouse built upon piles in the water which has scarce a roof and a floor on it....It is located between the dockyard and the Town surrounded by rum shops."
Hamond recommended the building of a new naval hospital to accommodate 100 to 200 seaman. He estimated the cost at $2,500. On Dec. 26, 1781, he wrote:
"The present Hospital has been patched up for the winter and put in as good condition as possible. The accomodation (sic) for the men, however, is still miserable, yet for this wretched place, Government pays and annual rent of £150 Sterling. The situation I propose for the new Hospital is a field of about three acres leading down to the waters immediately above the dockyard."
Hamond's recommendation was accepted and during 1782 the Naval Hospital was constructed. It was referred to as "the glory of Architecture in Halifax" at the time. A pen and ink drawing of the hospital was found in the log book of the HMS Pegasus, which brought Prince William Henry (later William IV) to Halifax in that year.
There had been a Hospital for Hurt and Sick Seaman in Halifax since 1754, and in 1755 it was reported to be housing over 200 typhus patients.
From 1757-1758, when English forces were gathering in Halifax and making preparations to attack Louisbourg, as many as 1,200 patients and 66 nurses were housed in the hospital at one time. This hospital, which was in the King's Dockyard, and the Naval Hospital on George's Island were at least two such establishments which existed prior to the construction of the much more elegant Naval Hospital built in 1782. Unfortunately, the latter Naval Hospital burned to the ground on Nov. 11, 1819.
