1. Immediately available for sick or wounded, 105 berths; additional berthing space available under proper shelter, 55 berths—total accommodations suitable for sick with comfort, 160 berths.
2. Supplies, in considerable quantity, of clothing of all kinds, shoes, blankets, sheeting, provisions, cooking and table utensils, picks, shovels, tools, oil stoves and fuel, lanterns, candles, matches, cordage, tenting canvas, chocolate, tobacco, and many other miscellaneous articles.
3. Money for relief distribution, amounting to 150,000 lire.
4. Accommodation for 1,000 steerage passengers.
MESSINA.
Sailing from Civita Vecchia at 4.07 P. M. Thursday, the Bayern arrived at Messina at 5 P. M. Friday, flying the American Ensign at the fore, the Red Cross on the triatic stay between foremast and funnel, and the German merchant flag aft. As we stood in, international signal was made “Have on board American Ambassador.”
The ship was boarded by an officer from the captain of the port’s office, to whom was given a detailed statement of supplies available.
About 9 P. M. General Mazza, in chief command of the military forces in the Straits, having returned to his headquarters on board the steamer Duca Di Genova, the American Ambassador, accompanied by Vice-Consul Lupton; Lieutenant-Commander Belknap, U. S. N.; Major Landis, U. S. N., and Mr. Elliott, as interpreter, visited the General, explaining the nature of the expedition, its approval by the King of Italy and the readiness of everything on board for disposal as General Mazza might direct. General Mazza expressed his warm appreciation of the offer and the spirit that had prompted it, and recommended that the ship proceed to Catania and Palermo, possibly also to Syracuse as these places had received many sick, wounded, and refugees, but so far no help in proportion to their needs. At Messina the situation was well in hand, and supplies were already available, sufficient for all requirements.
The next day, Saturday, the Ambassador and others of the expedition visited Messina, and during the course of the day landed several boatloads of supplies for the American Consulate’s distribution there. The sum of 1,000 lire was also given to the archbishop.