To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, a decision was made to build a permanent bricks-and-mortar seamen's hospital close to the site of the hospital ship.[1] By that time 10,000 seamen (in-patients and out-patients) were being treated each year.[2] The Marquis of Bute, on his death in 1900, bequeathed £20,000 towards the cost of the new building and this was augmented by additional subscriptions of £12,000 and the proceeds of a bazaar, which raised £4,400.[3] A brand new hospital building was constructed in red brick, stone and terracotta immediately to the west of the ship site, designed by E.W.M. Corbett,[4] the architect of the Marquis of Bute's estates.