On this day in 1743, a vessel carrying crew members suffering from the plague came close to transmitting the deadly disease to the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight.
The Island had taken great care that the 18th-century pandemic was not passed on to locals. However, 2 local fishermen who were crab fishing approached the Dutch ship ‘De Resolute’ which was suspected of having the plague on board.
The ship was moored off the back of the Isle of Wight.
In the 18th century, the authorities were more ruthless in their measures to combat transmissible disease – unlike the recent coronavirus pandemic. Troops were even dispatched to kill suspected plague carriers.
A letter from Portsmouth dated 18th September 1743 described the alarming situation …
“Notwithstanding all the Precautionswe have taken here, on Friday last the Dutch ship De Resolute supposed to have the plague on board; came to the back of the Isle of Wight; and two Men, who were catching Crabs, one of them Brother to Boyce the famous Smuggler (now in the Fleet Prison) were so indiscrete as to go along Side of her.
“They told them they were homeward bound Indiamen, and wanted Provisions, on which there two Men came on Shore, and carried off a fat Sheep and some Butter, and then return to their Houses.
“By this time the Country was so alarmed, and arming themselves went directly to kill them, or at least make them return to their Boat; they surrendered immediately, and went where they were ordered, the Guard following at a distance.
Article continues below this advertisement “They are now at Mother-Bank, where they are to perform Quarantine in their small open Boat. They said they saw but 8 on Deck, all seemed well in Health.
“The folly of these Fellows has put us all in the utmost Consternation and the chief Talk is cutting off Communication with the Island; if so, we are in a fine Condition, for Provision will be excessive dear; God preserve us from Danger.”
A most insightful look as to a time, which has only recently ended, whereby the locals and the country’s Government looked out for the good of the indigenous people first and foremost.
Now we would all be at risk from having to house, treat and likely keep the entire crew and ship their extended families here for ever, no matter what path of decency or the vilest of crime they then decided to inflict upon our kind society
I apologise if English isn’t your native language, but that made me sense whatsoever.
idiot closet racist comment
Surely all the residents would have needed to do would be to have donned a flimsy piece of cloth over their face. Sorted!! 100% immunity!
The fact that Plague is caused by a bacteria (Yersinia Pestis) and is transmitted via flea bites then, ironically, you are correct in assuming that masks would serve no purpose.
Masks, however, are effective at reducing the spread of pathogens that are spread as an aerosol in coughs and sneezes. Like Covid.
The death sentence for coming ashore, wish we had that now.
Might deter the thousand a day…….
It might have done this lot some good
Fascinating. Thank you Warren.