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MG 1 volume 2124 number 138

HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
Chronicle Building
Halifax, N.S.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.
Rev. Henry Ward Cunningham, Rector of St. George's, C. of E.
Home 43 Cornwallis St.


On the morning of December 6th, was at breakfast. His wife had just handed him a cup of coffee, when he heard a deep boom far away in the distance. Three seconds later came the crash. His first idea was that a bomb had burst on the lawn, part of the church property. It was a combination of explosion and a terrific rush of air, Not exactly what he thought a bomb should be. Not a crack, but an explosion covering a larger space. "Mighty rush of air" which brought in the windows, curtains etc. He was thrown under the table and cut in the neck. Got up, looked for wife and lady who was in the room--could not see them. They had gone into the kitchen and thence the basement. Alexandra School near-by, many bleeding. "The thing I shall never forget". The thought crossed his mind "What's the use of keeping the city dark?" "People who would wreck my house like that!" Put on old over-alls and old cap and proceeded to clean up. His children came back from school,. Found to his surprise a greater wreck up-stairs. The head of his own bed had been smashed down upon it--and a chair from the floor thrown on the bed. The rectory was built in 1841 and stood the shock well. Very soon they were all ordered out on account of the danger of a second explosion. All were bundled off over the Common where they remained for two hours. Mr. C. returned to his house and proceeded to Union Street via Gottingen. Fires were on both sides, and wires crossed the road.