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Halifax Disaster Record Office
Archibald MacMechan, F. R. S. C.
Director
Halifax, N.S.

not feel assured that sufficient safeguards will always surround the handling of munitions and, therefore, must object to the loading or unloading of explosives altogether at any pier in the city.
"Yours respectively,
"(Sgd.) P. F. MARTIN, Mayor."
Brig. Gen. Benson, O. C. 6th Division City.
Capt. Pasco, Caut. Supt. Dockyard.

General Benson's Letter.
General Benson wrote under date of Jan. 25th to the Mayor in reply to the above letter than immediately on the receipt of the communication he instructed Capt. Holme, R. N. and Comr. Holloway, R. N. R., to proceed at once to the pier and inspect the precautions taken against fire, etc., and render a full report. The Picton lying alongside and discharging her cargo into shed No. 24 and there was also a portion of the cargo in Shed No. 23, said cargo consisted not of high explosives but of fixed 18 pdr shrapnel ammunition a thorough examination into the precautions taken for the prevention, the discovery and the extinguishing of fire and arrangements had been made as follows:
Watchman on duty day and night in each shed.
Military sentries at each end of the approach to the buildings and a third sentry on the wharf in front.
600 feet of fire hose and a reel with a branch pipe attached at shed 23, branch pipe in the fireman's office.
A 40 gallon chemical engine with hose and two hand extinguishers at the end of shed 24
Conspicuous notices against smoking.
The hose referred to in the Mayor's letter was in addition to the other fire equipment.
The pitch cauldron was not within 60 feet of the nearest shed.
General Benson was satisfied every possible precaution was being taken and would be taken.

MGI vol 2124 number 81a