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. PALERMO. Arriving at Messina about 8.30, we found another telegram from the Consul at Palermo. After visiting the _Illinois_ again, we sailed for Palermo at 10.30 P. M. We arrived at Palermo about 9.30 Saturday morning. The captain of the port sent an officer on board the _Bayern_ with the following message: The captain of the port thanks Captain Belknap for the sentiments of brotherhood and humanity which have brought him here, to give aid to those who have just escaped from the disastrous earthquake. The American Consul, Mr. Bishop, then took the Committee, Lieutenant-Commander Belknap, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Gay, Vice-Consul Cutting, Avvocato Giordana and Mr. Flint to call upon the Prefect, with whom we found the Commissario Regio. Our remaining resources were placed at the disposal of the authorities, who accepted them with warm thanks and appreciation of our coming to Palermo with assistance. From the prefectura we were then escorted to the municipal palace by the Commissario Regio, Commandatore Avvocato Gennaro Bladier, who conducted us to his reception-room, where the necessary arrangements were made for the transfer of our remaining supplies. He took steps to have our discharging expedited so that our intended sailing that evening might not be delayed. We delivered at Palermo 1,200 mattresses and about 7,000 rations, leaving nothing remaining on board that could be disposed of; also 20,000 lire to the Municipal Committee and 10,000 for distribution by the American Consul. In the afternoon, the Commissario Regio came on board, to return our visit and inspect our ship, bringing the following letter, to which I replied orally, stating that I would have the honor to bring it to the attention of the American Ambassador: Cabinet of the Commissario Regio, City of Palermo, January 15, 1909.