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MG 1 vol 2124 number 283a
Halifax Disaster Record Office
Chronicle Building
Halifax, N.S.

According to the best evidence obtainable and the coolest judgement of competent persons, the collision was purely accidental.

The Effects.
Abandoned by her crew, the "Mont Blanc" had drifted close to Pier 6, and in this vicinity the effects of the explosion were most severely felt.

The industrial section of Halifax extending over two square miles was wrecked. The houses collapsed, and soon caught fire. There was no sweeping conflagration, each house was a separate fire.

The wharves, shipping, railway station etc., suffered severely.

It is estimated that 1400 persons were killed by the explosion or died of their injuries.

The shock was felt all over the city. One immediate effect was the breaking of windows in every building in the city. The broken glass caused severe wounds in the head and face, in many cases destroying the eyesight.*

*Note: R. H. Murray stated at the public meeting, Jan. 5 that 183 were partially blind and 70 totally blind as a result of the explosion.