note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

Halifax Disaster Record Office
Chronicle Building
Halifax, N.S.
December 27, 1917.

Journal
Halifax Records Its Thanks To Noble Efforts Of The American Red Cross.
The following resolution of the Halifax Relief Committee was adopted on December 27th:
In view of the noble manner in which, in the first place, the American Red Cross appreciated the grave character of the Halifax disaster of 6th December, 1917, and the remarkable promptness and efficiency, in the second place, with which it despatched workers and supplies to Halifax, the Executive of the Halifax Relief Committee, on its own behalf and on behalf of all the people of the stricken City, desires to place on the records of its proceedings a grateful expression of heartfelt thanks. This acknowledgement is tendered first to W. Frank Persons, Director General of American Red Cross Civilian Relief, Washington, who instantly set in motion the activities, which by 10 p.m. on the evening of the disaster had despatched from Boston a special train with supplies and six expert workers on its errand of mercy to Halifax. These workers were Mr. John F. Moors, Chairman Civilian Relief Committee of Boston, in charge, who during his stay gave most valuable assistance and advice to the Committee; Miss K. MacMahon, New England Directress of Case Work, who is still with us and whose kindness and services can never be forgotten; Miss Marion Rowe, Mr. C. C. Carstens, Mr. William Pare, and Mr. Prentice Murphy, all expert social workers, were also of this party - and rendered invaluable services.
In this place it is proper to state that every possible assistance and direction was given to the outfitting and despatch of these first relief workers by Mrs. William H. Lothrop, Boston, Directress General, New England Division Civilian Relief, American Red Cross.
At a later date Mr. Christian Lantz of Salem came to Halifax under the same auspices, and continues in a most generous and whole hearted fashion to assist and advise in the work of registration and rehabilitation.
Following in order, and within an amazingly short time of the disaster, came the Boston Red Cross Hospital Unit, with Dr. W.E. Ladd at its head, and comprising 22 doctors, 69 nurses and 14 civilians. This unit came by special train with complete equipment for a 500 bed hospital.
There next arrived the Providence Hospital Unit, under Major Hough. It came by special train and numbered 52 doctors, 52 nurses and 3 civilians.
On about the same date there arrived a special train of supplies from New York City, American Red Cross, Atlantic Division. M.E. Russell, who is still in Halifax, came in charge and with him were four trained workers. Dr. E.A. Codman, an eminent specialist of Boston, with 10 doctors, 4 nurses and 9 civilians arrived about the same time and attached themselves to the American Red Cross.
It is not inappropriate that in this record it should be gratefully mentioned that the State of Maine, that portion of the great Republic territorially nearest us, promptly sent to the relief of the Halifax sufferers a Hospital Unit under Major G.M. Elliott, who with 12 doctors, 13 nurses and 11 civilians came by special train, in the early days of the disaster.