Nova Scotia Archives

Archibald MacMechan

Halifax Disaster Record Office Materials

Personal narrative - Lieut. C. A. MacLennan

19 March 1918. — 5 pages : 30 x 39 cm.

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

ridge-pole and covered it with powder-hides. These were dressed skins with a slit in each corner, for carrying powder or "powder-kegs." These he used for a roof. Found also large old-fashioned lanterns with double wicks. Lighted them and stuck them round the walls. It was "perishing cold". Then McLennan realized that these candles were to give light, not heat, and to be taken into the magazine. They had no rations, but one of Moir's bread carts had been upset, and he secured a "bunch of bread". Later he "executed a flank movement" and secured some bully-beef and a pound of butter. Later in the night he was informed that the cook-house was working and obtained soup and other rations for his men during the night. After being relieved, he was sent to conduct a part of American engineers off the "Van Steuben". They were all carpenters and were employed in putting in windows and making repairs at the Barracks. This was over about half-past one. Then McLennan was detailed to make up the casualty lists.

Revised March 19, 1918.
Note: McLennan's face was blackened by the "soot" from the explosion: did not know of it till he was told.


M.C. of the 75th Regiment, attached to Company Battalion.

Reference: Archibald MacMechan Nova Scotia Archives MG 1 volume 2124 number 201

Nova Scotia Archives — https://archives.novascotia.ca/macmechan/archives/?ID=201

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