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MG 1 volume 2124 number 191

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

Personal testimony of Mrs. Moore, of 1496 Barrington St.,
Taken [xx] January 2nd, 1918, at the Acadian Hotel.


Stood in doorway of home for twenty minutes before the explosion watching the burning ship. Ship came around the head of Pier 8, into Pier 6. Put three of her children at windows to watch the fire. The twins, 17 months old she put in a large easy chair at one window, and a boy four years old at another. Left month-old baby in carriage in dining-room. After the first explosion Mr. Spruce, postman came along and gave Mrs. M. a letter, said "It's a good job it's nothing dangerous". She asked what 'it' was. (Presumably meaning what the ship was. He said "Its a gasoline tank". Just then the explosion came. Mr. Spruce was killed. The house fell, burying Mrs. M. She was unconscious for a while. Was revived by the big wave that the [xx] explosion caused. It washed over where her house was. She was soaked by the salt water. Two 'beams' were lying across her. She managed to push them off, When she stood up she was standing in water 'to the knees'. Had on only her corsets and underflannels. A man came along and she [xx] said "For God's sake, get my children". House was burning. He tried to get them but failed. [illegible] She went up Roome St., to look for the four children who had been sent to school. Did not find them there [x]. A woman by Wickwire's house on Roome St., gave her a blanket. She wrapped it around her and went on 'out over the hill'. Got a sweater-coat from 'Some-one' on Lady Hammond Road. Then she went into the woods off Lady Hammond Road, where there were some other people. They were soon told by a man to go further away