Semaphore St Margaret's Hospital

J H Angas Wing.

Foundation stone 14 Sep 1874 by Mrs Musgrave, wife of the Governor, architect Thomas English, opened 10 Jul 1875 for public inspection, first patient 14 Jul before official opening, as convalescent hospital for Adelaide Hospital patients. Foundation stone Jun 1878 of Andrews Wing, opened 9 Dec 1878 by Lady Jervois, in memory of Edward William Andrews, dormitories added Jun 1880, further land purchased 1877 & 1902. Foundation stone Angas Wing 7 Jun 1890 by Mrs Kennion, wife of Bishop, opened 4 Apr 1891 with an second tower, this one 52 feet high with lookout at top. Buildings used by Defence Dept as training camp for the AWAS (Australian Women’s Army Service) 1942-1944, returned as convalescent hospital May 1944, transferred to Church of England 1948.

Margaret Hart, daughter of John Hart of Glanville Hall, had opened a cottage for former patients in 1872 and was responsible for the establishment of the hospital.

 

“the foundation stone of the Convalescent Hospital at St. Margaret, near the Semaphore, having been laid at noon on Monday, September 14, by Mrs. Musgrave. The ceremony was quite of a private nature, only those who had initiated the proposed chanty with a few of their immediate friends being present.” [Register 15 Sep 1874]

 

“This institution has been founded by public subscriptions to afford the benefit of sea air to convalescent patients of the Adelaide Hospital, and others who have not the means to obtain relief without assistance. . . The building is being erected at a point about a quarter of a mile from Glanville Hall, in a very eligible situation, the sandbanks protecting the lower grounds from heavy sea breezes, while from the summit of the tower the inmates of the establishment can have the full benefit of the fresh air from the Gulf when desirable.” [Evening Journal 15 Sep 1874]

 

“The institution owes its origin largely, we believe, to the family of the late Hon. J. Hart, who himself took an interest in the movement, and only a day or two prior to his death gave a donation of £100 towards the funds. The members of the family — the undertaking being one which Miss Hart, who is now in England, warmly entered into — made up £800.” [Adelaide Observer 15 Sep 1874]

 

“A piece of land near the Semaphore having been placed at the disposal of the Committee by the Hon. T. Elder, M. L.C., the erection of a suitable building was entrusted to Mr. C. L. Gardiner, of Glanville. . . The design of the structure— plans of which were gratuitously prepared by the Hon. T. English — includes two wings in addition to the centre portion, which only has at present been erected. This is now so far completed that patients will be admitted on Wednesday next. The place is under the charge of Miss Hugette, an experienced matron. The structure being of white stone, with dark facings.” [Register 12 Jul 1875]

 

“The part of the structure completed contains a vestibule and hall. . . a back hall. . . 2 dormitories, which are excellently ventilated and each fitted with three or four beds; a nursery. . . and dining and Superintendent’s apartments. . . kitchen, scullery, storeroom, pantry, cellar, and servants' room are provided with every convenience. A verandah is finished on the back of the building facing the sea. The front, which has an eastern aspect, is ornamented by a tower 32 feet in height. Half-way up this is a small apartment intended as a smoking room.” [Evening Journal 12 Jul 1875]

 

“The first animal report of the Committee of St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital states that 80 patients had been admitted during the year, of whom 56 had been discharged, 18 were non-convalescent patients, and 6 remained in the Hospital.” [Register 10 Aug 1876]

 

“On Monday, December 9, Lady Jervois visited the Convalescent Hospital at St. Margaret's. . . The new wing, built as a memorial to the late Mr. E. W. Andrews, by his widow, has just been completed and furnished, and with this extension the house now accommodates fourteen patients.” [Advertiser 18 Dec 1878]

 

“a feeling existed in certain quarters that children suffering from bone and joint diseases should have a home where they could be properly cared for. The Convalescent Hospital, with its healthy situation, was at once suggested, and the Hon. J. H. Angas came forward and liberally offered to bear the expense of erecting a suitable building. It was decided that a new wing, to be called the Angas Wing, should be added to the hospital on the north side. Plans were drawn up by Messrs. Garlick & Sons, architects. . . The wing is to be built of Dry Creek stone, with cement dressing,” [Register 9 Jun 1890]

 

“the foundation-stone of a new wing to the Convalescent Home, Semaphore, to be devoted to children suffering from bone and joint diseases, was laid by Mrs. Kennion. The land upon which the present building and the wing in course of erection stand was given by Sir Thomas Elder in 1874, and was vested in trustees.” [Register 10 Jun 1890]

 

“suggests that telephonic communication be established with St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, Semaphore. Seeing that the majority of the patients who go there are either under doctor's orders or Hospital regulations our correspondent considers that a telephone would be a great Convenience.” [Evening Journal 2 Jul 1895]

 

“St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, , , More than 50 years ago Miss Margaret Hart (daughter of the late Capt. John Hart. C.M.G.. of Glanville Hall, Semaphore) was a regular visitant at the Adelaide Public Hospital. Having, evidently, a sympathetic and benevolent nature, she recognised that, for the poorer patients particularly, some place of retreat for recuperation during convalescence after discharge from the larger institution was necessary. She, therefore, with the help of a few friends, procured and furnished a three-roomed cottage near the sea, where two men or two women were received free of cost for a period of two weeks at a time. The effort was so successful that within a very short space of time a cottage to accommodate six patients was rented. From those small beginnings, evolved the present convalescent hospital, containing eight large dormitories, with 60 beds all fitted out as it was to-day.” [Register 23 Sep 1925]

 

“During the fifty years that the hospital has been established the position of matron has been filled by only four ladies:— Miss Speed served for about one year, Mrs. le Page for 18 years, Miss Sandilands for six years, and Miss M. E. Good for 25 years.” [Port Adelaide News 2 Oct 1925]

 

“St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, an old established institution at the Semaphore, has been vacated by the Defence Department, and has been returned to the committee. Sister Winifred Nield, who has had extensive hospital experience in Adelaide, Melbourne, and London, has been appointed matron. Nursing sisters and other staff have commenced their duties, and patients are being admitted again.” [Advertiser 18 Oct 1944]

 

“The hospital, by the way, was taken over by the Defence Department in March 1942, and used as a training camp for the AWAS. Handed back in May 1944, it was reopened as a hospital in September.” [Advertiser 24 Jul 1947]

 

“A hospital has been presented to the Church of England because its committee fears the Federal Government will eventually control all hospitals except those run by religious bodies. It is St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, Semaphore. . . Although the Church of England now owned the hospital .and it would be controlled by the present committee, patients of any denomination would be admitted. All other denominations would be allowed to conduct religious services there.” [News 12 Aug 1948]

 

“St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, Semaphore. . . the hospital's new staff quarters, Hart Building.” [News 7 Oct 1948]

 

MARGARET HART

“the death on August 2 of Margaret, the wife of Mr. Arthur Powell, of Bencomb, Dorking, England. The late Mrs. Powell was better known to old colonists as the second daughter of the late Capt. John Hart, of Glanville Hall. . . Mrs. Powell interested herself largely in charitable institutions in the colony, and was one of the founders of the St. Margaret's Convalescent Hospital, Semaphore.” [Register 12 Aug 1920]

 

 

EDWARD WILLIAM ANDREWS

“ANDREWS.— On the 23rd February, at Port Elliot, Edward William Andrews, Esq., of St. Margaret's, Glenelg, aged 65 years.“ [Register 26 Feb 1877]

 

“Mr. E. W. Andrews, one of the proprietors of this journal. . . the son of the Rev. Dr. Andrews, minister of the Congregational Church at Walworth. One of his brothers is living in Melbourne, and a sister is married to Mr. Coventry Patmore. . . In early life Mr. Andrews was brought up to business as a merchant, and eventually became a member of the London Stock Exchange. He came out to South Australia by the ship Anna Robertson, which arrived here in September, 1839. . . in 1840 he entered into business as a general merchant with Mr. Gorton, the firm being known as Gorton & Andrews. In the year 1841 Mr. Andrews became a Director of the now defunct Marine Fire and Life Insurance Company. . . About the year 1850 Mr. Andrews . . . joined the staff of the ‘South Australian’ newspaper. Subsequently he joined the staff of the ‘Register’. . . a member of the first City Council formed in Adelaide. . . Mayor of Glenelg. . . Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society. . . Botanic Gardens. . . Mr. Andrews was twice married, and leaves a widow and a son and daughter, the children of his first wife.” [Register 24 Feb 1877]

 

JOHN HOWARD ANGAS

“ANGAS.— On the 17th May, at his residence, Collingrove, John Howard Angas, aged 80 years.” [Register 25 May 1904]

 

“Mr. John Howard Angas. . . born at Newcastle-on-Tyne on October 5, 1823. He was the second son of the late Mr. George Fife Angas. . . left England in the barque Madras on Good Friday (April 15). 1843. He was accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Henry Evans, her husband and child. . . arrived again in London on Good Friday, April 15, 1854. . . While in England he married Miss Sussane [sic] Collins, of Bowden, Cheshire, and in 1855 returned to Smith Australia, and settled at Collingrove. . . a member for Barossa in the House of Assembly. . . Legislative Council. . . his gifts to public institutions were so numerous that it would be impossible to enumerate them all. . . the founder of the Angas Engineering Scholarship. . . a chair of Chemistry at the University. . . Angas Wing of the Children's Hospital. . . Home for Incurables. . . Convalescent Hospital at the Semaphore. . . Angas College. . . for training missionaries. . . The deceased gentleman has left a widow. . . a son (Mr. C.H. Angas. who is now with his wife in England), and a daughter (Mrs. G. B. White).” [Register 18 May 1904]

 

 

Done