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MG 1 vol 2124 number 315 a

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
CHRONICLE BUILDING
HALIFAX, N. S.

[Newspaper Clipping]

An. Interesting Account.
Dr. Ladd gave a most interesting account of his unit's work at St. Mary's College Hospital and the preparation for the trip to our City.
"On Thursday, the day of the terrible disaster, we received a few wires telling briefly of what had happened." sad the doctor. "I was called on the phone to get together doctors and nurses to go to the scene of the disaster, if needed. Next day I got further word that a large number of both doctors and nurses would be needed as the explosion results were worse than feared. I had a special operator put on my phone and by two o'clock had twenty-five doctors and seventy-five nurses all willing to come to Halifax, which shows the feeling in the United States toward Canada. We would came just as willingly to your aid as to any of our own cities," said Dr. Ladd.
The speaker told of the wonderful way in which the supplies were assembled by "The Gold Dust Twins" Messrs Holland and Clarke, and packed ready for shipment Friday. The supplies from the Red Cross Hospital No. 5 of 500 beds were brought down with the Unit, which left Boston Friday and arrived at Halifax Sunday, after a long, cold trip.
"We were met by C.G.R. officials and taken to the City Hall. Everything seemed to be in chaos but, through Mr. Moors, we got in touch with Colonel Bell, who stationed us at St. Mary's College. I might say that from Colonel Bell, the Military and the Medical Military we have received perfect co-operation.
A Difficult Task.
"We found St. Mary's College in a broken condition, glass gone and plumbing in bad shape. We went to work with carpenters, plumbers and our own staff and by Tuesday we had the building ready for patients. Wednesday ninety were sent to us, and by Thursday we had everything in hand and working smoothly.
"What struck me very forcibly was the lack of expression on the faces of the patients. Not a murmur was heard from one of them and the bravery was quite wonderful.
"A great change took place in those faces in one day. Color began to come back and smiles appeared on many. The courage shown was marvellous. People with eyes gone, and badly deformed and mangled, seemed so cheerful and glad to be alive," said the doctor.

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