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Personal Testimony of Robert Johnson, of 'STELLA MARIS',
Taken December 20th.

In V.G. Hospital with both legs broken. Typical sailor, between 40 and 50, mercantile marine, not the wharf-rat type, might be captain of his own fishing boat at Herring Cove,tall, Canadian voice, did not fit the bad, weather-beaten, rather morose, not eager to talk.

December 6th he was going up the harbour on 'STELLA MARIS', had come on deck. Saw "MONT BLANC" and "IMO" crash together. "STELLA MARIS" went to "MONT BLANC" to grapple on, after "IMO" had backed away. "Something crooked, very crooked" Johnson interjected here, but was not explicit. A naval party asked the Munition ship in which hold the danger lay and were answered, "Aft". 'STELLA MARIS' tried to fasten on, but Captain of the "MONT BLANC" objected to a new "3 inch hawser", and demanded a ten-inch one. Then the explosion came. When asked to describe it, Johnson only swore. He was knocked into the hold, he says. Many were killed on the "STELLA MARIS" including the Captain.

J.H. Mitchell.

[Handwritten Notes]

Notes: This does not agree with the fact that the Captain [?] of the Mont Blanc had deserted her. Q: (question) Could one of the naval boats (the Niobis) have reached her? [Written initials] JHM