dvisable that, in place of having to
hurriedly improvise hospital ships, the Government should possess two or
three hospital ships of the 'Simla' type. It is true this would deprive
our naval transport officers of a duty which in this war was performed
with extraordinary celerity and success; thus the 'Simla' was fitted in
seven days, and sailed with a cargo of invalids ten days after her
arrival at Durban; but on the other hand it would ensure that really
suitable vessels were always provided.

[Illustration: FIG. 10.--P. & O. Hospital Ship 'Simla' in Durban
Harbour]

To give some idea of the amount of work contingent on the transport of
wounded men from an army of some 15,000, fighting its way against
continued opposition, I will quote the approximate number of men moved
during Lord Methuen's advance from Orange River to Magersfontein. (The
number of men actually present at each battle is shown in Table I., p.
12.)

Belmont, the first battle, was fought on November 23.

_November 24._--No. 2 hospital train removed 152 cases to the Stationary
Field hospitals at Orange River, then returned and loaded up with 130
more. Some of the most severe cases in the latter were detrained at
Orange River, and the remainder were taken direct to Wynberg (591-1/2
miles).

The division marched, and the battle of Graspan was fought during the
day.

_November 26._--A train of specially constructed trucks brought 90 of
the less severe cases, including 20 Boers, to Orange River.

_November 27._--The division marched, and in the morning No. 3 hospital
train removed 80 severe cases from the Field hospitals direct to
Wynberg.

_November 28._--Battle of Modder River.

_November 29._--339 patients, including a few sick, and some wounded
Boers, were sent down to Orange River in open trucks with impromptu
shelters made with rifles and blankets.

Later, 97 severe cases were sent down in ordinary carriages, of which
some had doors sawn out to admit lying-down patients.

_December 10._--The division marched, and on the next day the battle of
Magersfontein was fought.

_December 11._--Nos. 2 and 3 trains were loaded up during the night and
early morning of the 12th, in part from the Field hospitals, in part
directly from the Ambulance wagons. During the day of the 12th, No. 3
train made three journeys to Orange River, and No. 2 was sent direct to
Wynberg.

In all some 800 patients needed transport; they were picked up by 10
ambulanc