Swimming Point in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Portsmouth Naval Hospital
“Hospital Fund”
— Fort Nelson Park —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015
1. Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker
Inscription.
Portsmouth Naval Hospital. “Hospital Fund”. The British had a custom of taxing its sailors for their health care. In 1798 Congress established the “Hospital Fund" based on the British system. 20 cents per month was deducted from the pay of each officer, sailor and marine to provide for his health care. At that time, shore-based medical treatment took place at the Gosport Shipyard. Patients were treated, not in hospitals, but in sail lofts, storerooms, or other work spaces. They had to contend with noise and the odors of the shipyard and the surgeon couldn't provide proper care. Enough money had been collected by 1821 to build naval hospitals in key ports. In 1830, the Navy's first hospital opened in Portsmouth.
The British had a custom of taxing its sailors for their health care. In 1798 Congress established the “Hospital Fund" based on the British system. 20 cents per month was deducted from the pay of each officer, sailor and marine to provide for his health care. At that time, shore-based medical treatment took place at the Gosport Shipyard. Patients were treated, not in hospitals, but in sail lofts, storerooms, or other work spaces. They had to contend with noise and the odors of the shipyard and the surgeon couldn't provide proper care. Enough money had been collected by 1821 to build naval hospitals in key ports. In 1830, the Navy's first hospital opened in Portsmouth.
Erected by Path of History, Portsmouth, Va.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.
Location. 36° 50.465′ N, 76° 18.292′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Swimming Point. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Effingham Street and Crawford Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (a few steps from this marker); a different
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 288 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
