The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 2, April 1909)

by American National Red Cross

CATANIA.

Monday at 6 P. M. we left Messina for Catania, arriving at 10.30 A. M. We were immediately boarded by an officer from the battleship Garibaldi, with the compliments of Rear-Admiral Gagliardi, commanding the second division of the Naval Force of the Mediterranean. The Admiral offered us any assistance we might need; and when I made an official visit to him that afternoon he inquired with much interest about all that could be learned of the situation at Messina and Reggio, and about the expedition. He very kindly made it well understood that we had only to ask to obtain any assistance at his disposal—an offer that I was glad to avail of, for men to assist with handling supplies, transmission of telegrams by wireless, and service of boats. The Admiral returned the visit next day, inspected the ship with evident interest, and expressed his approval of her organization and arrangements, especially in the medical department.

As soon as the Bayern was moored inside the mole of Catania harbor, Lieutenant-Commander Belknap, accompanied by Vice-Consul Cutting, Dr. Scelba and Avvocato Giordana, called upon the Prefect Commendatore P. Ferri and the Sindaco, Signor S. Consoli, placing the ship and her equipment entirely at their disposal. We were welcomed and thanked with the greatest cordiality, and in the afternoon, when the Sindaco, with Madame Ferri, Baronessa Zapalla, and a number of other ladies and gentlemen prominent in relief work came on board, he made a speech of thanks, and presented the following letter:

Catania, January 11, 1909.

Commune di Catania:

With pleasure I express to you, gentlemen, and to all the expedition of the American Red Cross, embarked on board the S. S. Bayern, the heartiest thanks of the population of Catania and of the refugees and wounded who have found here a shelter, for your generous offer of medicines, clothes, food, etc.

The relief brought by you will be effective to lessen the sufferings of so many wretched people, who have been deprived in a few moments of their relatives, of their beloved native town, and of every possession.

With esteemed consideration,

The Mayor,
S. CONSOLI.

To Signor Reginald Rowan Belknap, Lieutenant-Commander, Naval Attachè to the Embassy of the United States of America in Rome.

To this the following reply was sent, both letters being published in the local papers:

Expedition of the American Red Cross,
Steamship Bayern, Catania, January 12, 1909.

To the Mayor of Catania:

In response to your gracious letter conveying the thanks of the citizens of Catania for our offer of assistance, I have the honor, in the name of His Excellency the American Ambassador, and also of the American Red Cross, to express to you the sincere friendship and heartfelt sympathy which all our countrymen feel for this beautiful land and its people, especially in this time of sorrow.

To have relieved in some small measure the distressing needs of those we love is a cherished privilege, and the gratitude which you have sent to the United States will carry there widespread thankfulness.

With distinguished consideration,

R. R. BELKNAP.

Lieutenant-Commander, Naval Attachè to the American Embassy, Rome, in charge of the American Red Cross Expedition.

The party which came on board that afternoon inspected the ship and were much pleased with the comfortable, spacious arrangements for the sick, and our outfit and arrangement of supplies. Some light refreshments were served on deck, causing one of the ladies to remark that they were enjoying this visit very much, their first respite since the earthquake.

The Prefect was unable to come on board the day of our arrival, but he did come Tuesday morning. I took this occasion to inquire particularly about our taking refugees, to which he replied in the negative, saying that the refugees did not wish to leave Sicily, as a rule, and that the authorities and people at large did not wish to have them go. Accordingly it was definitely determined that we should take none; and the order was shortly given to knock down the steerage bunks, and add the lumber to that which we were going to land at Reggio.

We discharged at Catania the greater part of our cargo, finding that large quantities of our supplies would be put to immediate use. Medical supplies, moderate amounts of clothing, milk and provisions were given direct to the three hospitals, but the bulk of what was landed was turned over to the Ladies’ Committee, in charge of clothing distribution, and provisions, medical and miscellaneous supplies to the Municipal Committee, as requested by the authorities. Then, as it was believed that a small amount of ready money could be more conveniently applied by the authorities concerned than by anyone else, Mr. Hooper, the treasurer, delivered 1,000 lire to each of the hospitals; 5,000 to Madame Ferri for application to individual cases needing relief other than an immediate supply of clothing and food, and 25,000 to the Prefect for disposition at the discretion of the committees having the relief work in hand.

A Ruined Street in Reggio.

(Photo by S. H. Chapman.)

Tuesday morning a committee, consisting of Miss Mabel Hill, Fraulein Gasser, Mr. Charles King Wood and Mr. Harry Bowdoin, came on board from Giardini and Taormina with a letter from the Mayor of Giardini. Upon their representation of conditions in their district, work already done and still in hand, and cases of need still unrelieved, about twenty tons of clothing, shoes, blankets, provisions, medical dressings and miscellaneous articles were given into their care for shipment by rail, and 10,000 lire to be spent at the discretion of this committee in their work at these two places. We also sent, with this shipment, all clean bed linen remaining on board, since it was now evident that our reserve for patients would not be required.

The services of a nurse were also wanted at Taormina and Giardini, and Miss Claxton was sent with this party on their return there, with the understanding that the American Red Cross Committee would be responsible for Miss Claxton’s expenses and her return to Rome. A letter has since been received from Miss Claxton, saying that she is engaged as a district or visiting nurse, and that all the supplies sent have proved very useful.

A further sum of 10,000 lire was entrusted to Messrs. Kin and Bowdoin, both of them members of the American Red Cross, who undertook to arrange for the expenditure of this money for the relief of the small villages outside of Giardini and Taormina, between there and Messina, and to account for it to the American Red Cross through the American Ambassador.

In response to an appeal from Acireale, Mr. Gay made a personal visit among the relief workers there, after which some clothing and other supplies and 5,000 lire were delivered to them. To the Little Sisters of the Poor 1,000 lire were given for their immediate assistance. A few bundles of clothing were sent by rail to Messina, in care of Mr. Chanler, in response to a wireless message from the U. S. S. Yankton. There were several other cases acted on at Catania, as shown more in detail in the secretary’s report.

While lying at Catania, knowing that lumber was needed at Reggio, Mr. Flint was sent ashore on Wednesday morning to buy such quantity as we could get on board that day. Lighterage facilities were very scarce, as many steamers were in the harbor discharging; but by the persistent efforts of the German Vice-Consul, Mr. Jacob Peratoner, who very kindly devoted almost his entire day in our behalf, we succeeded in getting on board enough lumber to build 25 houses, 13 × 13 feet, complete with floors.

On Wednesday afternoon Madame Ferri, escorted by Marchese di San Juliano in his automobile, took Lieutenant-Commander Belknap, Dr. Scelba, Avvocato Giordana and Mr. Elliott on a tour of the hospitals and some of the refuges, in one of which alone 780 were then quartered. By this date, of course, sixteen days after the earthquake, all was in good order and organization as far as circumstances and available means would permit; to see so much suffering and misery, among people of all conditions of life formerly, was extremely affecting; but also it was impressive to note how much had been done for their needs and comfort, and particularly to mark the affectionate gratitude which these poor refugees demonstrated for their benefactress, who seemed to have become familiar with the details of nearly every case.

The Prefect and Admiral Gagliardi, after we had sailed the next morning, united in sending us a farewell message by wireless, as follows:

Signor Reginald Rowan Belknap,
On board Bayern, Reggio, Calabria.

With our hearts still vibrating with gratitude and admiration for the work of fraternal solidarity and beneficience accomplished by you, Mr. Commandant, together with your representatives of the American Red Cross, we again repeat to you all, in the name of the Province and the King’s Government, our heartfelt thanks. To all the gentlemen on board the Bayern we send good wishes and greetings.

PREFECT FERRI
GAGLIARDI.

To this the following reply was sent by telegraph to Prefect Ferri, and by letter to Admiral Gagliardi:

To Commendatore Ferri, Prefect of Catania, and Rear Admiral Gagliardi, Commanding the Second Division of the Naval Force of the Mediterranean:

Your message sent me at Reggio by wireless telegraph has been received, and I will have the honor to deliver it to His Excellency the American Ambassador at Rome, for communication to the United States Government and to the Red Cross of America.

The warmth of your appreciation of our efforts makes a deep impression in our hearts. To be so cordially associated with the noble work of the King’s Government and the devoted people of the Province of Catania is an honor that will always be remembered with pride and affection.

With distinguished consideration,

R. R. BELKNAP,

Lieutenant-Commander U. S. Navy, Naval Attachè at the American Embassy, Rome, in charge of the American Red Cross Expedition.

Although no refugees were to be sent by us, we were asked, and properly authorized by the Prefect, to take twenty-four orphan children, under charge of a carabinieri, to Genoa for delivery there to representatives of the Provincial Committee of the Province of Como, where we understood the children were to be placed in families. The Little Sisters of the Poor also were glad to avail themselves of the opportunity for transportation of six of their number, who had been hurt in the earthquake or were completely worn out with their subsequent efforts, and eleven old men and one old woman in their charge, all bound for Rome or Naples. There was, besides, an Italian woman with three children, wife of a naturalized American citizen in the United States, who was to be taken to Genoa. All these were on board by the time our dinner was over, so that we could have the pleasure of showing our departing guests the children, all bathed and put into fresh beds, still wide awake, bright-eyed and happy in the novelty of their surroundings. I am glad to say that the children continue happy, as also the old people, throughout the voyage. They were fitted out with additional clothing purchased at Palermo, and on arrival of the steamer at Genoa they were safely delivered to the proper authorities.

After spending the first day in Catania, Mr. Cutting went by rail to Syracuse, being requested by the Committee to look into conditions there, inform us as to needs, and offer our facilities to the authorities. During the succeeding day, however, the many demands made upon us at Catania and from the surrounding country compelled us to abandon the idea of going to Syracuse, as the amount of supplies remaining to be disposed of would be too small to warrant the extra day’s steamer charges for such a detour. Mr. Cutting was informed of this change of plan by telephone, and tactfully explained it to the authorities of Syracuse; and upon his return on board the Bayern Wednesday evening the Committee allotted 35,000 lire to Syracuse, distributed according to Mr. Cutting’s recommendation.

Leaving Catania at 4 A. M. we arrived at Reggio about 8.30, finding the U. S. S. Culgoa there, just returned from a coastwise trip, relieving small villages. Lieutenant-Commander Patton and I again called together upon General Mazzitelli and Captain Cagni, who said they had use for lumber, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes and some provisions.

We lost a few hours off Reggio trying to find a suitable anchorage from which we could discharge our lumber by rafting it down to leeward into the small artificial harbor, there being no lighter available; but the Bayern was too long and too light, so we remained underway while discharging on this day. This delay did not make any ultimate delay of our movements, however. We discharged a boatload of supplies for the Culgoa to deliver at Messina, and two boatloads for Reggio, then ran over to Messina ourselves for the night, arriving about eight o’clock.

The battleship Illinois had arrived at Messina during the afternoon, Captain J. M. Bowyer, U. S. Navy, commanding. He kindly sent a steam launch alongside, and I went on board, with Mr. Cutting and Dr. Scelba. There we found Major Landis, our military attachè, who had a telegram from Mr. Bishop, the American Consul at Palermo, desiring that the Bayern visit that port. Captain Bowyer undertook to send a reply for us, that we would arrive probably Saturday morning.

We obtained all the available shoes from the Illinois, 201 pairs of substantial quality. At the same time a package of tetanus antitoxin, which had been brought down from Rome by Mr. Robert Winthrop, was delivered, and on the advice of Dr. Scelba was divided between Messina and Catania.

We also on this day returned to the Culgoa the three men lent to us, as we expected to part company indefinitely. These men had behaved with credit to themselves and their service were generally helpful, and had won the good will of everyone.

Friday morning we got underway at six o’clock and by 8.30 were fast to a buoy off Reggio and discharging cargo. Our best day’s work was done here—not in amount delivered, but in the steady industry of all employed. Four boats were filled with supplies and towed over to the depot steamer, and later, as no men might be available to discharge them before dark, a working party of men nurses and stewards was sent to discharge them. Meantime the lumber was got out, each slingful lashed both ends before lowering over the side; then six or eight such slingfuls were made up into a raft and towed by our steam launch to a point about one-third of a mile distant, to windward of the place on the beach where the lumber was wanted; then the tow was cast off and it drifted ashore. This was a slow process, as our steamer was small and unsuited to open water, but by steady work and no mishaps we finished and left for Messina, the ship herself towing the last raft of lumber.