The Red Cross ambulance ship alongside the Atlas.

Repro ID: H4154

Description: Maintaining the hospital ships 17 miles down the Thames was possible only thanks to the river ambulance service. The ambulance steamers carried patients, supplies and staff out to the ships in Long Reach. They operated from three assembly points in London, including North Wharf in Poplar and South Wharf in Rotherhithe. Here the 'Red Cross' ambulance ship is alongside the 'Atlas' on the left. The contrast in size between the steamer and old man-of-war is striking.

Creator: Unknown

Date: c. 1900

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London