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HALIFAX DISASTER
CHRONICLE

Most Awful Catastrophe in the History of Canada
Halifax City Badly Wrecked by Explosion of Munition Ship at the Narrows
Hundreds Killed, Thousands Wounded

On arrival at Windsor of first train from Halifax, about noon, a Citizen's Meeting was called in the Opera House, when the Mayor, who had just returned, gave the first reliable news. He and J. H. Bustin left Windsor by auto yesterday shortly after communication had been made, and reached the city about half-past twelve.
Words fail to give an adequate idea of the scene of havoc and ruin. The explosion was caused by a collision between the outgoing Belgian Relief steamer Imo and a munition ship, Mount Blanc,loaded with nitroglycerine and trinol-toluol. A quantity of benzine on deck took fire. Members of crew embarked in boats and reached Dartmouth with the exception of one man. The crew of the Imo are missing.
Hillis Foundry and the Sugar Refinery were wrecked, and by half past twelve the Cotton Factory was a mass of flames. North Street Station had roof blown off. King Edward Hotel badly damaged, but able to do business.
From North Street out towards Africville, practically all demolished. As far distant as Bedford women and children were killed. Not a plate glass window left in business part of city. Cars stalled all over city and wires down. Great confusion. But committees got to work. Cars went to North End and began removing the wounded.
Mayor Roach went to Mayor Martin, and offered to house 500, and if necessary provide for 100 wounded in Windsor.
300 wounded sent to Truro yesterday of whom 8 died on way. 100 were sent to New Glasgow.
Late last night Chief of Police estimated number killed to be between 1500 and 2000.
Chronicle not quite correct in saying every second one injured in Halifax. This may be said of Dartmouth.
Terrible work getting bodies from debris and flames. Doctors and nurses poured in from surrounding towns, New Glasgow, Moncton, Truro, Kentville, Windsor, Lunenburg, etc.
Councillor Murphy did excellent organization work. Camp Hill Hospital had 500 cases. Dr. Webster of Kentville, told Mayor Roach of some of the terrible cases in Hospital. Cuts about head and eyes from broken glass were the most numerous varieties of accident.
Many cases of fracture and compound fractures. Supplies from Windsor sent to City Hall. Mrs. Fielding Pres. Windsor Branch Can. Red Cross Soc. Mr. Ryan there assisting.
Planned last night to send train at 9 o'clock. Families separated and not inclined to leave city, so train had to be cancelled. Many came to Rockingham and spent night in Station House there.
Pressing need in the city is glass and paper also planed lumber and workmen and glaziers, carpenters, etc. Funds needed. Hundreds of families homeless.
Dead bodies gathered together in piles on the streets. In one place 45 were counted. In many cases bodies unrecognizable.
Report that magazine at Wellington Barracks was in danger caused great consternation and confusion for a time and people fled for their lives, but fear was unfounded.
Not a large amount of damage to shipping, but a ship at Dry Dock had a loss of 30 lives.
Among the dead are Isaac Creighton; Dr. Murdoch Chisholm; Edward Condon, Chief Halifax Fire Dept.; William Brunt, Deputy Fire Chief; Peter Burgess, Inspector N. S. Tramways & Power Company; Thomas Murphy, C. N. V. R.

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MG 1 vol 2124 number 309