Nova Scotia Archives

Archibald MacMechan

Halifax Disaster Record Office Materials

Personal narrative - Miss Jean Forrest

3 pages : 30 x 39 cm.

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PERSONAL NARRATIVE.
Miss Jean Forrest.

On the morning of December 6th, was just starting for Pier 2 when the explosion occurred. Thought that the German Fleet had got "out and across". Ran to the cellar as did her father and mother and two plumbers who were working in the house. After a very short time Miss F. decided that there was "no sense in staying there" and went to the street. Saw a cloud of smoke and thought it must be the magazine at the Citadel- but "in a minute or two" - she doesn't remember how - she found out what it really was. Then she went as quickly as she could to the Technical College to get supplies for the injured. Got bandages, dressing etc., packed into Red Cross car. Mr. Sexton found a man on the street (doesn't have any idea who he was) to drive the car for her and she started for the the North End. They were turned back at North St. and came back to the Technical College. An officer came into the Tech. Col. and ordered everybody to get into the "Government Field" and lie flat. Miss Forrest, however, went home because her mother would be frightened. After the danger was said to be over she got a returned soldier "whose name I don't know" to drive the Red Cross car and went North again. When they got to North Street they were told to go West. They went up to North St. to Robie St. out Robie St. past the Cotton Factory, "Seeting mass of flames", "not a soul watching the fire". Found the fields just beyond the Cotton Factory full of people- hundreds of them - some very badly hurt. Took loads to the hospitals. Tires were punctured and came


Reference: Archibald MacMechan Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 volume 2124 number 146

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