The 41-bed children's hospital offered pediatric inpatient and outpatient services in every medical and surgical specialty.

Boston's Lend A Hand Society, founded by Hale, assisted with fundraising and administrative support.

[7] For a time, the boat was also used for parties on Boston harbor, with the leisure cruise ending at midnight and hospital services opening at 8am.

[8][9] Heralded as a major innovation in pediatric medicine, the mission of the hospital ship was to take ill urban children out onto the harbor to experience the healing qualities[further explanation needed] of fresh sea air and sunshine.

In 1927 the Floating Hospital ship was destroyed by fire, and an on-shore facility was created for research and some clinical specialties.