Hospital Ship Collection

Steam yacht Liberty running east. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Steam yacht Liberty running east. Liberty was built for Joseph Pulitzer in 1908. Designed by George Lennox Watson she was one of the largest private yachts of her day

The Transport Fleet embarking the Troops, at Varna (engraving)
1607773 The Transport Fleet embarking the Troops, at Varna (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Transport Fleet embarking the Troops, at Varna)

Embarking the wounded, illustration from 'The Western Front', pub. by Country Life Ltd, 1917 (litho)
STC400453 Embarking the wounded, illustration from 'The Western Front', pub. by Country Life Ltd, 1917 (litho) by Bone

Walking wounded sleeping on deck, illustration from 'The Western Front', pub. by Country Life Ltd, 1917 (litho)
STC400437 Walking wounded sleeping on deck, illustration from 'The Western Front', pub. by Country Life Ltd, 1917 (litho) by Bone

U.S.S. Solace, 1898. Creator: Unknown
U.S.S. Solace, 1898

U.S.S. Solace apothecaries and nurses, 1898. Creator: Edward H Hart
U.S.S. Solace apothecaries and nurses, 1898

La baie de Suvla et les Falaises d'Anzac; Les falaises d'Anzac, 1915 (1916). Creator: Norman Wilkinson
La baie de Suvla et les Falaises d'Anzac; Les falaises d'Anzac, point e debarquement des Australiens et des Neo-Zelandais, le 25 avril 1915

U.S.S. Solace, between 1914 and 1918. Creator: Harris & Ewing. U.S.S. Solace, between 1914 and 1918
U.S.S. Solace, between 1914 and 1918. The SS Creole, built in 1896, was operated by Cromwell Steamship Lines. She was acquired by the US Navy in 1898, renamed Solace

Hospital Ship near the Seraglio, at Constantinople, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Hospital Ship near the Seraglio, at Constantinople, 1854. Crimean War. The English have a spacious and tolerably comfortable hospital near Cadikeiry [where]...they remain till they become

Steam yacht Liberty, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Steam yacht Liberty, 1914. Liberty was built for Joseph Pulitzer in 1908. Designed by George Lennox Watson she was one of the largest private yachts of her day

German hospital ship, World War I (colour litho)
2774017 German hospital ship, World War I (colour litho) by Diemer, Michael Zeno (1867-1939); Private Collection; (add.info.: German hospital ship, World War I)

The Steam-Ship "Maine, "offered to the British Admiralty as a Hospital-Ship by Mr Bernard Baker
1592844 The Steam-Ship " Maine, " offered to the British Admiralty as a Hospital-Ship by Mr Bernard Baker, of Baltimore, USA (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The Dreadnought, Hospital Ship for Seamen, at Greenwich (engraving)
1099556 The Dreadnought, Hospital Ship for Seamen, at Greenwich (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Dreadnought, Hospital Ship for Seamen, at Greenwich)

Campaign Poster for the Australian Red Cross "Help", pub
1144593 Campaign Poster for the Australian Red Cross " Help", pub. 1914-18 (colour litho) by Souter, D. H. (1862-1935); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Australian

The Old "Dreadnought"Hospital-Ship, now being broken up (engraving)
2772643 The Old " Dreadnought" Hospital-Ship, now being broken up (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Dreadnought Hospital-Ship, at Greenwich (engraving)
2772177 The Dreadnought Hospital-Ship, at Greenwich (engraving) by Tozer, Henry Spernon (c.1870-1940); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Dreadnought Hospital-Ship, at Greenwich)

Her Majesty inspecting the "Queen Victoria, "the Hospital-Ship of the Mission to Deep-Sea Fishermen in
1055390 Her Majesty inspecting the " Queen Victoria, " the Hospital-Ship of the Mission to Deep-Sea Fishermen in Osborne Bay (engraving) by English School

Off to Ashanti, the Special Service Corps going on Board the SS "Coromandel"at the Royal Albert Docks
1056827 Off to Ashanti, the Special Service Corps going on Board the SS " Coromandel" at the Royal Albert Docks (engraving) by Wyllie

The SS "Princess of Wales, "formerly the "Midnight Sun, "now converted into a Hospital-Ship by
1592998 The SS " Princess of Wales, " formerly the " Midnight Sun, " now converted into a Hospital-Ship by the Red Cross Society (litho) by English School

The Italian hospital ship Ramb IV at a Middle East port, after its capture by the Royal Navy. August 1941

Patient being hoisted aboard the Maine from a hospital boat. 11th December 1943

Picture shows a service on board a hospital ship in Southampton. The Solent. Picture taken circa 10th August 1945

How the Wounded Were Conveyed to the Hospital Ships, (1919). Creator: Unknown
How the Wounded Were Conveyed to the Hospital Ships, (1919). Scene from the First World War, 1914-1919: At the Dardanelles the hospital trains gave place to hospital barges

Hospital ship at anchor. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Hospital ship at anchor

Libertys motor launch underway, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Libertys motor launch underway, 1914. Liberty was built for Joseph Pulitzer in 1908. Designed by George Lennox Watson she was one of the largest private yachts of her day

Lowering Libertys motor launch, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Lowering Libertys motor launch, 1914. Liberty was built for Joseph Pulitzer in 1908. Designed by George Lennox Watson she was one of the largest private yachts of her day

Libertys motor launch alongside Liberty, 1914. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Libertys motor launch alongside Liberty, 1914. Liberty was built for Joseph Pulitzer in 1908. Designed by George Lennox Watson she was one of the largest private yachts of her day

Breaking up the hospital ship Dreadnought at Chatham dockyard, 1875. A print from The Illustrated London News, (23 January 1875)

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"Hospital Ships: Lifelines of Compassion and Care" In times of war and crisis, hospital ships have served as beacons of hope, providing vital medical assistance to those in need. The transport fleet embarking troops at Varna stands as a testament to the crucial role these floating sanctuaries play in saving lives. One such vessel that etched its mark in history was the steam yacht Liberty, crafted by Kirk & Sons of Cowes. In 1914, it became a symbol of resilience as it transformed into a hospital ship during World War I. Its decks witnessed countless acts of bravery and compassion as wounded soldiers found solace within its walls. Not limited by borders or allegiances, even amidst conflict, humanity prevailed. An Italian hospital ship fearlessly rescued four German airmen who were shot down - an act that transcended nationalities and demonstrated the power of compassion over enmity. Achille Beltrame's poignant illustration captures another scene aboard an Italian hospital ship; wounded soldiers being tenderly taken on board for treatment. It serves as a reminder that healing knows no boundaries when empathy guides our actions. The German hospital ship depicted in vivid litho colors reminds us that even adversaries recognize the importance of caring for their own injured warriors. Amidst the chaos and destruction of war, these floating hospitals provided sanctuary from pain and suffering. Across continents, generosity knew no bounds either. Mr Bernard Baker's Steam-Ship "Maine" offered itself to the British Admiralty during World War I - an extraordinary gesture from across the Atlantic Ocean that showcased solidarity among nations united against adversity. At Greenwich stood "The Dreadnought, " aptly named for its unwavering commitment to seamen's health. This remarkable vessel embodied courage on turbulent seas while serving those who braved treacherous waters daily. Campaign posters advocating support for organizations like the Australian Red Cross remind us all how collective efforts can make a difference.