Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company

Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company, woollen jacket, overcoat, waistcoats, cap, three pairs cotton trousers, three cotton waistcoats and buttons, made by E. J. Monnery and Son and by Hole and Hayson at 109 Fenchurch Street, London, EC, England, c. 1890-c. 1930.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A635910
type:
uniforms

Parts

Surgeon's jacket, United Kingdom, 1890-1930

Surgeon's jacket, United Kingdom, 1890-1930

Overcoat, part of Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company, wool, with brass buttons, c.1890-1930

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This black double-breasted jacket was part of Charles Health’s uniform as surgeon to the Orient Steam Navigation Company - also known as the Orient Line. The company had its origins in the 1790s, but came to the fore in the 1800s before being absorbed by today’s P & O shipping company in the twentieth century.

It was initially a postal service, and also ferried emigrants to Australia, before the ‘cruise’ idea caught on among wealthy Victorians. In the 1890s, a voyage from London to Bombay (now Mumbai, India) took 12½ days and cost £55 first class. The appropriately named Health dealt with any medical emergency. These included accidents to crew and passengers, tropical fevers and childbirths. His smart wool jacket with brass buttons is pictured with his leather cap (A635910 Pt 5). Both were made by tailor E. J. Monnery and Son, who specialised in outfits and furniture for cruise passengers.

Measurements:
overall: 950 mm x 450 mm
Materials:
overcoat, wool and buttons, brass
Object Number:
A635910 Pt1
type:
uniform
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Surgeon's cap, United Kingdom, 1890-1930

Surgeon's cap, United Kingdom, 1890-1930

Cap, serge and leather, part of Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company, c.1890-1930

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This leather cap was part of Charles Health’s uniform as surgeon to the Orient Steam Navigation Company - also known as the Orient Line. The company had its origins in the 1790s, but came to the fore in the 1800s before being absorbed by today’s P & O shipping company in the twentieth century.

It was initially a postal service, and also ferried emigrants to Australia, before the ‘cruise’ idea caught on among wealthy Victorians. In the 1890s, a voyage from London to Bombay took 12½ days and cost £55 first class. The appropriately named Health dealt with any medical emergency. These included accidents to crew and passengers, tropical fevers, and childbirths. His cap with company insignia on the front is pictured with his black double-breasted jacket (A635910 Pt 1). Both were made by tailor E. J. Monnery and Son, who specialised in outfits and furniture for cruise crew and passengers.

Measurements:
overall: 90 mm x 210 mm x 250 mm,
Materials:
cap, serge (leatherpeak)
Object Number:
A635910 Pt5
type:
cap - headgear
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Cotton trousers

Cotton trousers

Three pairs of white cotton trousers.

Materials:
trousers, cotton
Object Number:
A635910 Pt6
type:
uniforms
Buttons and fabric from Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company

Buttons and fabric from Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company

Buttons and fabric from Charles Health's uniform as surgeon to Orient Steam Navigation Company, made by E. J. Monnery and Son and by Hole and Hayson at 109 Fenchurch Street, London, EC, England, c. 1890-c. 1930.

Materials:
brass and textile
Object Number:
A635910 Pt8
type:
buttons