Catholic Herald Reporter
THE Government of the United States may lend a ship to Group Captain Leonard Cheshire. V.C., to sail on missions of mercy to S.E. Asia.
A new organisation, headed by Cheshire, and known as the United Kingdom White Fleet, was founded last year as a branch of an international movement which is aiming to form a "mercy task force" of ships to help the peoples of underdeveloped countries.
The ship which may now be borrowed from the U.S. Government. will he a smaller edition of the American hospital ship "Hope". which provides medical and other aid along the coast of Peru.
The British ship is to carry a staff of doctors, nurses and technicians, and. say the organisers. "we hope soon to be able to approach the Pakistan Government with regard to operating the ship in their waters as a floating clinic and public health school".
Medical services in the area have been found to be inadequate, and in addition, this and neighbouring regions in India are subject to natural disasters such as cyclones where at hest thousands become homeless, and public health amenities are severely strained.
It is anticipated that the ship will go to Singapore for an annual overhaul. A report on the American vessel's condition is now awaited.