note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

The Armouries, Halifax, N.S.
.Jan. 25th, 1918.

Archibald MacMechan, B.A.,
Director, Halifax Disaster Records,
P.O. Box, 25, Halifax, N.S.

Halifax Disaster.

Dear Sir-,
Acknowledging receipt of your circular No. 1 in connection with the marginally noted subject, I have the pleasure of forwarding the following summary of the happenings which took place at the Armouries ,Halifax, N.S. on the 6th of December, 1917.

The troops stationed at the armouries, who were on parade on the Common at the time of the explosion were ordered to "Stand By" and "Await Orders". As soon as the nature of the explosion was ascertained, three parties were immediately detailed to proceed, with water bottles filled, one in the direction of Pier 2, one to Richmond, and one to the North End of the city by way of Agricola St., the immediate vicinity of the explosion at that time being unknown. The Regt. Sgt. Major was then instructed to hold all available men to be in readiness for any emergency, these men ordered to fill their water bottles.

Shortly after this the Battalion was reported as "Awaiting Orders" to the D.A.A.&.M.G., Halifax Fortress, in the meantime picquets were established junction of Cunard, Agricola and North Park Sts., with orders to Commandeer all vehicles as it was seen by this time that these would be invaluable for the removal of injured to the various hospitals, who had, by this time,, been brought in for medical attention in large numbers.

A party was sent to Military Hospital Cogwell St. for all available medical supplies and on arrival of these supplies, four dressing stations were established in addition to those conducted by four officers of this Unit. The four established on the Common were i/c of the two Officers of this Unit and two civilians, who had previous training in First Aid.

About this time, an Officer ("Capt. W.S. Ingraham" appended here), using a Commandeered Car proceeded to Ordnance and Cogswell St. Hospital returning with further medical supplies, which were greatly needed at this stage. Before noon the hutments had been evacuated by the Troops and occupied by injured, who were supplied with hot broth and sufficient bedding to make them comfortable, this being entirely due to the untiring efforts of one of the officers stationed at the Armouries.

During the morning a rumor spread that it was feared another explosion would occur, and that all buildings were to be vacated, and people notified to seek open spaces for safety ,a large number of these persons congregated on the North Common, these were chiefly women and children and were suffering considerably from exposure, owing to them being so scantily clad. A party was detailed to aid and distribute blankets to lessen the suffering of the unfortunate people, who were made as comfortable as it was humanely possible under the most adverse conditions.

Under the supervision of an officer, tents that were supplied by the Ordnance, were erected, on the Common as temporary shelters for those who had been rendered homeless through the explosion, but as all Troops in the Armouries,

(Page 2)