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.