Friday - The propeller steamer Washington (1400 t, formerly French Helvetie), under the command of Lieutenant of vessel Felice Zicavo is modified in Hospital Natantewith a capacity of 100 beds.

The health and religious unit is composed of five doctors, a pharmacist, a chaplain and 20 nurses. It is the first hospital ship of the Regia Marina.

[Former French merchant ship Helvetie of 1400 t built in the 1854 purchased in the 1860 to form the Sicilian dictatorial Navy to be used for supplies to Garibaldi's troops. His first major job as a hospital ship dates back to the 18, 19 and 20 days of the 1866 in the Battle of Lissa. It was a unit that was always active in the rescue both at sea towards boats and on land in marine areas. In April of the 1876 it was armed as a hydrographic vessel among which commanders also included that of Giovanni Battista Magnaghi. Even during the period of employment as hydrographic, it will not fail to show the propensity to rescue as in the case of the Ischia earthquake of September 1883. Used as a torpedo depot in La Spezia by 1897, it will be placed under 25 decree by July 1904]

Source: Military Navy