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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORDS OFFICE
CHRONICLE BUILDING
HALIFAX, N.S.

FIRE ON 'PICTON' IN EASTERN PASSAGE

On February 21st, 1918. Sergeant Zwicker, Rifleman Rafuse, and rifleman Beaver, of the 63rd. called at the office to make a statement regarding their action in extinguishing fire on board 'PICTON(. During the night of the 9-10 of December, the 'PICTON' which was moored in Eastern Passage parted her hawser and went ashore. A guard of the 63rd. had been placed on shore during the 9th. On the morning of the 10th the guard observed a patrol boat going towards the ship. Some men boarded 'PICTON' in a boat. There was a fire on the deck, with thick black smoke, close to the after hatch. The smoke went up in big clouds. The three men from the patrol boat left one man on deck and returned to the patrol boat. The guard of the 63rd, which had got off in a boat also returned to the shore, but in answer to the cry for help of the man left on board the 'PICTON', went back, crawled 'up da roap' and extinguished the fire by throwing the burning rubbish overboard and throwing snow upon it. They expected an explosion. "To hear it crack." Sergeant Zwicker reported the occurrence to Headquarters of the 63rd, which sent an officer. By the time he arrived on the scene there were about 130 Naval people, who came down and took charge of the vessel. She was towed out into the stream and anchored there. There was another fire on board, while this was being done.
Note. It took the men of the 63rd about 20 minutes to extinguish the fire. They knew that she was loaded with ammunition, because they went down into the hold and 'busted a box'.
Note. The fourth man, Kennedy, is at present in hospital.
Note. Item in Chronicle of February 21st, regarding persons accused

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MGI volume 2124 number 171