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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
CHRONICLE BUILDING

HALIFAX, N. S.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.
Engineer Commander Richard Howley, R. N.
Late H. M. S. "IRRESSISTABLE". [spelling corrected to "IRRESISTIBLE".]
Instructor in Engineering, Royal Naval College of Canada.

When the explosion occurred he and Nixon were thrown through the door. For some little time he was stunned, 'knowcked out'. The plaster came down, --"clouds of plaster". Could see the forms of cadets dimly through the dust. Called "Let's clear away this". 'This' was doors, etc. jamming the exit. Got out himself. Went back and assisted in carrying out the injured charwomen. Fell in the cadets. "Canada ought to be proud of the way the cadets behaved." All but two, who were blinded and lying on the ground fell in promptly at the word of command. They were "ready for anything". Howley's impression was that the Germans were shelling the city and had made a fair hit on the College. He first sent the injured down to sick quarters--not realizing that the whole DockYard had suffered. What made him realize was the men coming up from the shops, whose homes were in the north end, and asking permission to go and see their families. They told Commander Howley that all the DockYard was wrecked. He gave them permission to go, but they were to be back within an hour. He himself went to the Naval Hospital and found it wrecked. Proceeded to the Dressing Station at the Armouries, but there were too many people waiting for attention. His idea was to get home. When he reached home, in LeMarchant Street, he fainted from loss of blood. Dr. Weatherbee got to him in time to sew him up.

Note Communicated to the Director at 33 LeMarchant St. February 28, 1918