Lotta Rand’s March 7 letter

Totally or Practically Blind:
Under 6 years of age — Male: 1, Female: 2, Total: 3
6-20 years — Male: 4, Female: 6, Total: 10
21-40 years — Male: 5, Female: 10, Total: 15
41-60 years — Male: 3, Female: 0, Total: 3
Over 60 years — Male: 1, Female: 0, Total: 1
Age not stated — Male: 0, Female: 0, Total: 0
Total — Male: 14, Female: 18, Total: 32

Both Eyes Doubtful:
Under 6 years of age — Male: 0, Female: 1, Total: 0
6-20 years — Male: 3, Female: 12, Total: 15
21-40 years — Male: 8, Female: 23, Total: 31
41-60 years — Male: 3, Female: 0, Total: 3
Over 60 years — Male: 1, Female: 3, Total: 4
Age not stated — Male: 2, Female: 2, Total: 4
Total — Male: 17, Female: 41, Total: 58

One Eye Doubtful:
Under 6 years of age — Male: 5, Female: 12, Total: 17
6-20 years — Male: 14, Female: 22, Total: 36
21-40 years — Male: 13, Female: 62, Total: 75
41-60 years — Male: 11, Female: 28, Total: 39
Over 60 years — Male: 0, Female: 1, Total: 1
Age not stated — Male: 1, Female: 2, Total: 3
Total — Male: 44, Female: 127, Total: 171

One Eye Blind, Other O.K.:
Male: 39, Female: 85, Total: 124

Both Eyes Injured, Now O.K.
Male: 41, Female: 83, Total: 124

Allen’s April 9, 1918 report of American Red Cross Committee on Eye Victims of the Halifax Explosion

Halifax, N.S., April 19, 1918

Total number of Blind: 41
Total number Both eyes doubtful: 44
Total number One eye doubtful: 136
One eye blind, other O.K.: 141
Eyes injured both eyes now O.K.: 166
Unable to locate: 84
Out of town, Unknown: 50
Not caused by explosion: 21
Died: 8
Total Registration: 691

Total or Practically Blind.
Under 6 years of age – Male: 1, Female: 1, Total: 2
6-20 years – Male: 4, Female: 6, Total: 10
21-40 years – Male: 6, Female: 16, Total: 22 
41-60 years – Male: 2, Female: 5, Total: 7
Over 60 years – Male: 0, Female: 0, Total: 0
Age not stated – Male: 0, Female: 0, Total: 0
Total – Male: 13, Female: 28, Total: 41

Both Eyes Doubtful.
Under 6 years of age – Male: 0, Female: 0, Total: 0 
6-20 years – Male: 2, Female: 4, Total: 6
21-40 years – Male: 6, Female: 12, Total: 18
41-60 years – Male: 7, Female: 4, Total: 11
Over 60 years – Male: 2, Female: 3, Total: 5
Age not stated – Male: 3, Female: 1, Total: 4
Total – Male: 20, Female: 24, Total: 44

One Eye Doubtful.
Under 6 years of age – Male: 2, Female: 6, Total: 8
6-20 years – Male: 15, Female: 13, Total: 28
21-40 years – Male: 12, Female: 45, Total: 57
41-60 years – Male: 8, Female: 21, Total: 29
Over 60 years – Male: 0, Female: 2, Total: 2
Age not stated – Male: 7, Female: 5, Total: 12
Total – Male: 44, Female: 92, Total: 136

One eye blind other O.K. – Males: 44, Females: 97, Total: 141
Both eyes injured now o.k. – Males: 50, Females: 116, Total: 166

“More Canadians…” article

More Canadians Blinded at Halifax than at War Front
United States Committee Will Raise Fund for Relief and Re-education,
New York, Jan. 25– Three or four times as many persons were made totally or partially blind by the recent munitions explosion at Halifax than have suffered that affliction among Canadian soldiers since the war began. Edward M. Vancleve, managing director of the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness has reported to this effect after a personal survey of conditions. Recognizing that the number of blinded victims is greater than from any similar district in history, the committee today decided to start a campaign for relief funds and to ask for support in all parts of the United States. The money will be turned over the Halifax Blind Relief Committee to be used to prevent further loss of sight among the sufferers, and to care for and re-educate the blinded.

December 16, 1917 letter to Superintendents from VanCleve

Dec. 18, 1917
In view of the fact that little information has come from Halifax relative to the situation as respects the School for the Blind and matters in which workers for the blind would be interested, I have taken the liberty of having copies made of a letter received today from Sir Frederick Fraser, Superintendent of the Halifax School for the Blind, and am sending a copy to you herewith. While the letter is personal in its nature, and I have not Sir Frederick’s permission to use it in any public way, I feel quite sure that no objection can be offered to my sending it to those who are especially interested in our field of activity.

Since the letter was written I have received a telegram from Sir Frederick, dated December 15th, from which I quote: “Blindness resulting from explosion at Hallifax(sic) appalling. now estimated at 500 men, women and children. Halifax Blind Relief Committee organized. Will require at least half million dollars to meet situation. Organized help urgently appealed for.”

That 500 persons have been blinded in Halifax seems incredible, and there is still hope that estimated figures will be corrected downward by careful census. A member of the Boston Relief Committee returning Saturday, December 15, has stated, however, that he does not believe the figures given are an over estimate.

The above is for your information and for any use you care to make of it.

Yours truly,
Edward M. VanCleve
Principal.

Red Cross letter

January 4, 1918.

Dear Mr. Allen:-
After some negotiations made by our representatives in Halifax, it has become expedient today to send a telegram to Mr. Carstens, the present Chairman of the American Red Cross Relief Committee, in Halifax, as follows: (strike through begins)”Have wired Judge Harris your care concerning housing precisely as arranged at our Boston conference.(strike through ends) Please formally offer Canadian people Red Cross assistance in care of blind situation. We are willing to appoint a committee of six with Dr. Allen of Boston as Chairman and Mr. burritt and Mr. Van Cleve as American members, and three Canadian members agreeable to Canadian people. Please advise who are Canadian members and when it is desired committee shall meet at Halifax. Tell Dr. Ladd I appreciate his acceptance of chairmanship of committee on supplies and eqipment(sic). Will ask that committee to meet as soon as Dr. Ladd returns to Boston.”

I assume that it will be agreeable to you to accept as the other American members of this committee Mr. burritt and Mr. Van Cleve. The Canadian people have made that suggesting preferring this to the suggestion that I earlier made.

I have talked with Major Bordley of the Surgeon-General’s office. He is much interested in this plan and will help all he can. Mr. Burritt you know to be in charge of the institution for blinded soldiers and sailors, which is now being prepared in Baltimore under Major Bordley’s direction.

“Special Eye Clinic” clipping

The Daily Echo
Halifax, Fri., Feb. 22, 1918
The Special Eye Clinic at the School for the Blind closes this afternoon, Friday, February 22nd, 1918. Any sufferers from the Disaster who have not availed themselves of the opportunity of obtaining the advice of Dr. N. Darrell Harvey, Consultant of this Clinic, should be sure to attend this afternoon at the School for the Blind. Published by the authority of the Relief Commission. Ralph P. Bell, Secretary.

January 31, 1918 Telegram

Received at Watertown Mass. 9:30 A.M.   Jan 31/18.
Deld by phone from Boston confirm by mail
Halifax N.S. Filed 7.42P.M.  Jan 30/18.
Edward E Allen . Supt. Perkins Institute. For the Blind. Watertown Mass.
Dr. Stirling arrived today local men strongly opposing clinic Stirling with them takes position without knowledge that there was no necessity for his coming they have agreed to four days free clinic local men in charge with Sterling consultant to prove there contention do you advise allowing this wish you were here reply tonight without fail.
C.F. Fraser.