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

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
CHRONICLE BUILDING

HALIFAX, N. S.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.
Rev. D. G. Cock, Presbyterian minister. Missionary on furlough from India.

On the morning of the explosion he and Mrs. Cock went to Camp Hill Hospital to lend assistance. Expressed surprise that injured people should be taken to it, because it was new and no patients other then injured soldiers had been taken to it. About 9.30 a. m. he found one doctor, Morse, two nurses and four orderlies in charge as entire staff. Injured soldiers 150. Three or four motorcars had come in with injured persons. "All so dirty". Wondered where the people got the dirt from. Was told to go to work and wash the wounds. About noon volunteered to go out and get more assistance, but Dr. Morse refused to let him go. Did not recognize William Orr, who arrived at the hospital badly injured and with part of his clothing torn off, only the shoulders of his coat remaining. "They tell me that I owe my life to the way you bound me up." Sometime later Mr. Orr showed Mr. Cock his fountain pen which had been picked up by a man rowing in the harbor, who saw something gleaming on a piece of wreckage. Difficult to recognize the injured persons on account of wounds, dirt and bandages. Case of man from Elmsdale who had just come in to the city that morning. He was brought into the hospital unconscious and swathed in cheesecloth. Attempted to clean him up, but unwrapping the bandages caused him to bleed more freely. Cock placed him on his back with a pillow under his head, and noticed that he was choking. This measure brought relief.