The Silverstream Hospital, in Upper Hutt was used by the US Navy between August 1942 and April 1944. Its construction began in September 1941 to provide accommodation for 450 patients but was increased to 1600 after Navy took over in May 1942. Commissioned as Navy Mobile Hospital No.6 (MOB-6), this facility treated over 20,000 patients before it was vacated by the US military.
Mr. Hemi Bennet, a native New Zealand maori, shows Sgt. James Joiner, USMC, of Lanette, Ala. a Maori Canoe paddle which he carved, an example of native New Zealand woodcraft. Mr. Bennet is an instructor of Maori wood carving at a U.S. naval Hosp. in New Zealand as part of occupational therapy. Joiner and other hospitalized Marines are currently occupying their time while recuperating from the Solomon Campaign in turning out artistic pieces of wood carving in Maori style in addition to useful leather objects. Navy nurse Eula Cosgrove, 812 W. Page St. Dallas, Texas looks on.
New Zealand
June 1943.
This is one of the wards in a U.S. Naval Hospital in New Zealand, where a program of occupational therapy has been instituted by Miss Florence Hislop (left foreground) a young New Zealand member of the American Red Cross, and a number of Red Cross assistants. Hospitalized Marine patients have been instructed to work skillfully in various artistic mediums-wood carving and leathercraft being their prime favorites.
New Zealand
May 1943.
Most phases od elective surgery can be accomplished in this operating room at the Naval base hospital but a few hours by air from South Pacific front lines. The room is simple, as are furnishings. What is important is that the proper instruments are in the hands of the specialists. This is a bone graft. The surgeons are, left to right: Lieutenant Manley B. Shaw, MCUSNR, orthopedic specialist of Boise, Idaho; a senior Navy hospital corpsman; Lieutenant Commander Charles B. Beymer, MCUSNR, Twin falls, Idaho, surgeon; and Lieutenant Marvic C. Becker, MCUSNR, orthopedic specialist of New York City, acting as anaesthesist.
South pacific
June 8, 1943
S/Sgt. Douglas Q. White.
A thomas traction Splint is adjusted in the orthopedic wars of a navy rear base hospital in the So. Pac by Lieutenant Manley B. Shaw, MCUSNR, orthopedic specialist of Boise, Idaho. Assisting him is Ph M 3/C William A. Coe, USN, 86 Emmett St. Central Falls, R. I. Patient is AOM 2/C Jack goggie, USN, 106 Rochester St. Bradford, Pa. Most patients of this ward were brought from front lines by Marine Corps evacuation planes.
June 8, 1943
S/Sgt. Douglas Q. White.
Keeping mind and hands busy while bones knit is encouraged in orthopedic ward of Navy hospital in the South Pacific. Watch repairing is hobby with Corp. John M. Henson, USMC, of Maysville Okla. Looking on is PFC Russell L. Mason, Route 2, Jamestown, Ohio. He is a Army man. Note drawing of original fracture on Hendson's cast -- to save examination time, should he be suddenly evaquated to another hospital. Both boys were brought from front lines by Marine Corps air transport service.
June 9, 1943
S/Sgt. Douglas Q. White.
Only a few hours by air from the front lines is found this complte X-Ray equipment at a Navy Hosp. to which patients are delivered by Marine plane transport. Here the fractured ankle of Francis K. Kregel, Seaman l/c USN 408 Helen St. camden, Ark. is X-rayed by PhML/c J.D. Murphy, USN, 816 West pafford St. Fort Worth, Tex. and right PhM 2/c Bobbie M. Johnson, Winnsboro, La.
June 8, 1943
S/Sgt. Douglas Q. White.
American ingenuity fills the gap when everything in the way of equipment isn't at hand. When Comdr. Arthur M. Culler, MC USN, Ophthalmologist of dayton, Ohio arrived at navy Hosp. in the So. Pa., he found some articles of equipment lacking. He built them himself. Here he is using a home-made perimeter. Subject is PhM2/c Don L. Grosse, 14 Highbanks Pl. St. Cloud, Minn. This aspect of hosp. service is particularly valuable to older service men.
June 8, 1943
S/Sgt. Douglas Q. White.
Fungus ear infections are one of the major problems facing medial men on duty in the tropic war zone. This is an eye, ear, nose and throat department in a navy base hospital a few hours by air from the front lines. Photo shows, L to R: lt. Comdr. Le Val Lund, MCUSNR formerly a los Angeles Calif. specialist and Lt. Donald J. Cronin, MCUSNR former So. Dak. specialist, administering ear treatment.
June 10, 1943
S/Sgt. Douglas Q. White.
Silverstream Hospital Video in the Norm Hatch Collection
Silverstream Hospital, Upper Hutt City Library - Heritage Collections
MarinesNZ.com preserves the history of U.S. Armed Forces on New Zealand’s Kāpiti Coast during World War II and the friendships formed between Kiwis and Americans.
Kāpiti US Marines Trust Paraparaumu New Zealand
