davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06
Work on Law
OF Averages

When Lloyds lose they pay. When
they win-which they usually do, or
they would have to 90 out of bust
ness-the premium is their profit.
They operate, like the big American
life insurance companies. on the law
of averages, which they have worked
out to a nicely that eliminates much
of the chance. Probably the hard
est snag ever encountered is the
German submarine piracy. but the
burden has been much relieved by
the paterral attitude Of the British
government. and the United States
government as well. toward the in
surance of merchant shipping.
Lloyds is not a private firm. 1t
is an association Of underwriters,
ship owners and marine insurance
brokers, whose representatives meet
daily at an exchange in London and
there make the market for risks,
much as the market is made in
securities on the Stock Exchange.
And as a natural result Of the large
business in writing insurance on YES
sells and cargoes Lloyds is a great
clearing house Of marine intelligence
Of all kinds.
The history Of Lloyds dates back
10 the seventeenth century, when the
commercial community Of London
interested in shipping collected at a
small coffee house kept by man Of
the name Edward Lloyd, in Tower
Street. Lloyd later moved TO larger
quarters at the corner Of Lombard
Street and Abchurch Lane, where
his house became in time the great
centre Of business and exchange in
all matters concerned with marine
commerce. Before his time marine
insurance had been conducted in
England by the Lombards. who came
from Italy and founded Lombard
street, but from the time that Lloyd
established bic esnss houss. where
sesfsring men rubbed elbows with
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06

4 ssistont Professor Of Economics q
HARVARD University
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Fear for Safety of
The Nieu,D Amsterdam;
Reported at Halifax

Officials Of the Holland-America
Linz here are waiting anxiously for
word from their crack steamship, the
big Nieuw Amsterdam. which, they be-
lieve. was in Halifax Harbor at the
time Of the explosion. The ship car
ried a crew of $50 and about 300 pas
sengers, ten of whom were Americans.
The Nieuw Amsterdam was the first
vessel to leave New York since the
embargo against the sailing of Dutch
ships was declared by President Will
son. several months ago. She put in
TO Halifax some time back for exam
ination by the British authorities.
Since then the Holland-America
Lines Office here has not heard from
her, and it is believed she is still in
the harbor of Halifax. The liners
cargo included 10000 tons of corn for
the Belgians.
Other vessels carrying supplies for
the Committee for Relief in Belgium
are also believed TO have been in the
harbor when the explosion occurred.
William Honnold, of the commission,
said yesterday he believed no less than
six westbound ships in which the or
ganization is interested were also
there.
The Red Cross Line officials here said
yesterday that none of their steamers
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Recognition of Dead
Almost Impossible

Systematic efforts were beng maze
tonight to identify the dead. but great
difficulty was encountered, as numbers
who were killed had suffered injuries
which made recognition impossible.
Despite the prompt and generous sue
cor from nearby places. there was
much suffering among the homeless 10
night. The temperature. while not 10"
for this district, held below freezing
Many of the fires were caused by over
turned stoves, and these generally were
in wooden frame houses that lent them
selves readily to the flames.
The steamship Iona, which appeared
TO have ESCAPED serious damage, was
nevertheless beached, as following the
collision she, too, caught tre ana
seemed for a time in imminent danger
of destruction. Her crew escaped. ,
A large Canadian steamer, moored
nj the north end, was torn from her
hawsers by the conclusion and set
drifting in midstream.
Among the notable structures
wrecked was St. Joseph's Church and
the school building adjoining. The I'M
mense cotton factory in that district
cleo was demolished
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Dead and Injured
Litter the Streets

In the Richmond section the scenes
enacted defy description. Seriously
injured men and women crawled from
the wreckage of their homes and lay
in the streets until they were removed
III ambulanees and automobiles to hos
pitfalls. Those less seriously hurt aided
those more gravely injured. In the
streets, piled nign with debris, were
found the shattered bodies Of many
women and children. Several children
were crushed to death when they were
hurled against telegraph poles by the
force of the explosion.
In scores OF cases occupants OF
houses who had escaped without in
Jury or who were only slightly nurt
were bafied by the flames in their
search for members OF their famiiles
and were forced to stand by impotent
while what once had been their nomes
became funeral pyres for loved ones
A government employe named Mac
Donald. who made all speed to reach
his home after the explosion, tounG
that his wife and four children na0
perished. His two-year-old daughter
had been killed while playing IN 'he
ward of her home.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Block After Block
Laid in Ruins

In the west and northwest ends the
damage was more extensive, and there
the walls OF many houses were blown
20 atoms. Il was in Richmond,
however, opposite the scene Of the ex-
plosion, that the havoc was greatest
Whole blocks Of dwellings, mostly of
frame construction, were levelled.
Street after street is in ruins. and the
structures which were left standing by
the explosion were destroyed by fires
which broke out simultaneously in a
score Of places and which it was i'm
possible 10 check until they had
burned themselves out. 1t is believed
that scores of persons who had been
injured by the collapse Of their homes
persisted in the flames, from which they
we're helpless TO fee. The fires in this
district are still smouldering tonight.
Five minutes after the explosion the
streets in all parts of Halifax we're
flled with frenzied, psnicstriekcn
throngs striving TO reach the outskirts
in an effort to escape what they be-
lieved was a raid by a German deet.
Hundreds of them had been cut by
The shower Of glass which followed The
explosion.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

added their mite. Serious damage
had been done 10 the city; fires
had been started: the railroad sta
ton had collapsed; hundreds might
be dead In the panic Of the moment
our ally reverted apparently to the
carping days Of peace and the early
bulletins confidently announced that
il was a laundering American NUM-
lions ship that had blown up.
BY the middle Of the afternoon. Mon
treal, gossip centre Of Eastern Canada,
gathered up the reports that had cen.
tired there from Lower Canada, and
flung them broadcast; but still they
were fragmentary and inadequate. The
damage might reach millions; it was a
French vessel that had blown up, not
an American; the greatest damage was
in the wholesale and residential Sec
tions, though much gas had been
broken in business buildings and-in-
credible, but most nearly accurate-the
dead might number 1900 and 50 per
cent Of Halifax had been levelled or
was in flames.
interpreted were brief bulletins
from the original minute men, Truro
and Amherst, pitiful little stopgaps
to the effect that Rockingham was a
suburban village a few miles from
Halifax, that the munition ship prob
ably had been struck opposite the
stokehold, and similar messages. which
revealed wildly the barrier o. silence
which had been thrown in an instant
about Halifsx
Not until late in the evening yas
one Of the few distorted dispatches cor
rected-one which came from ST. John
shortly before noon 70 the effect that
cit was stated positively here that
there were several transports IN the
harbor when the explosion occurred.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
500 Tents Raised
To Shelter Troops

The work of rescue and relief was
,romntlv organized. The Academy Of
Music and many other public buildings
were thrown open TO house the home
less. Five hundred tents have been
erected on the common, and these VIII
be occupied BY the troops, who have
surrendered their barracks to the
women and children.
Every nook and Granny in all avail
able buildings was made ready wlthln
An hour 20 receive the wounded.
steady stream Of ambulances and auto
mobiles arrived at hospitals, which
soon were filled TO capacity with the
injured. Doctors. nurses and voiun.
teers toiled ceRselessly in the work OF
succor. Their ranks soon were swelled
Inv others, who arrived in constantly in
cTeasing number from nearby towns.
n was announced before nightfall that
trenty-fve of the injured had died.
Those who were only slightly in
;,red were sent 10 their own homes or
10 those Of friends, after their wounds
Mad been treated. There were hundreds
~ cases Of serious injury, however, and
!, IN expected the death list Will be
realty increased by those who sue
,umb 10 their wounds. Automobiles
we're still seurrying about all sections
OF the city tonight carrying blanket
clad burdens.
A committee Of citizens already has
been formed and assistance is asked
from all outside points. The supplies
most needed are glass, tar paper, bea-
YER board, putty, bedding and blankets.
The Mayors Of all towns in the prov
ince have been asked to rush supplies
70 HBlifaN
The force Of the explosion was felt at
Trnro, seyenty-tve miles away, where
Windows were shattered. All telegraph
and telephone wires were torn down
and for several hours Halifax was com
pletely isolated from the outside world.
The conclusion shattered the big gas
tanks Of the city. All power plants are
out OF commission and newspaper Of
fees have been so badly wrecked that
publication is impossible.
Pilot Frank Msckie, Of the Mont
Blanc, declared tonight that the col
lision resulted from confusion Of
whistles sounded by the Iona. lie be-
lieves the fire which caused the explo-
sion was due to the fact that the mu-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Halifax Explosion
Most Disastrous
In Recent Years

Outside the toll Of life claimed on
land and sea by the great war. the ca
tastrophe at Halifax II police reports
or 1000 dead are borne out, is by far
the greatest disaster in many years.
Numerous explosions have occurred in
munitions plants in this country and
Europe, the most disastrous Of which
on this side WAS at the Eddystone plant
Of the du Pont Powder Company, at
Chester, Penn, in April last, IN "hich
1l2 persons lost their lives.
The Halifax disaster Is the ,lus
tragic explosion, in the number OF ives
vined out. In the last quarter OF
c.rturv. Indeed, few catastrophes OF
anv nature exceed it in the number Oh
desd-chieAy the Messina eartnquakne,
IN 1908. when approximately 2OOO0o
Ives were lost: the Mont Pelee volcanic
eruntion on the island of Martinique
in is02. when 10000 persons lost their
lives and an earthquake in the interior
~ italy. in 1915, when $4,000 dead was
the toll. c,...o
The Iroouois Theatre fire in Chicago
in 1903 claimed 575 lives, while the
sinking Of the excursion steamship
General Slocum in the East River, New
York, in 1904, left death list of about
1 400 In 1906, the earthquake and fire
in San Francisco took the lives OF APP
proximately 1000 persons, while the
loss Of the steamship Titanic, in colli-
sion with an iceberg in 1912, resulted
in toll of 1903.
In 1914 the steamship Empress OF
Ireland went down in the st. Lawrence
River, near Fathers Point, Quebec,
with the loss of 1,027 lives. Then fol-
lowed the sinking of the Lusitanis by
a German torpedo, and the steamship
Eastland in the Chicago River in 1915.
with death lists, respectively. Of 1,i9s
and 8l2.
In October of this year it was re-
ported that 1000 persons had lost their
lives in a munitions explosion in Aus
tria. but this report never has been
confirmed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Whole North End OF
CITY Mass of Wreck0ge

TORONTO, Dee. CA message re-
ceived by J. d. Reid, Canadian Min
ister of Railways, from Assistant Chief
Engineer Duff, of the Intercolonial
Railway at Halifax, said that every
building north CT the Queens Hotel
was wrecked.
"The North Street station is in
ruins" the message said. las well as
cur plant at Willow Park, and there
is lust one mass of wreckage and dead
bodies in the north end of the city.
Special trains from Sydney. with doc
tors. nurses and hospital supplies are
on their way. ] am also arranging for
food supplies and to send coaches to
Halifax to take people away"
Divisional Superintendent Hayes, of
the Intercolonisl Railway, at the head
quarters offices, Moncton, n. b., wired
Mr.. Reid that special trains were being
sent from Mcnctcn to Halifax and that
fire apparatus at points between None
ton and Halifax and Sydney and Hall
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Search for Bodies
By Light of Torches

The search among the ruins Tor
bodies continued tonight under a
great handicap, as large part OF the
city was in darkness save Tor torches
and lanterns. q,
Fear of food shortage is entertained
bv some, though encouragement IS
found in the word that trainlosds OF
provisions are already on the way here
from several points. The immediate
feeding of homeless ones amid the con-
fusion remains, however serious
problem. Everything possible. is being
done to systematic the distribution OF
food as we'll as Of clothing and bed
ding.
A second outlet for news Of the dis,
aster was established after several
hours of emergency labor late to-day.
Following the restoration of one tele-
graph wire. the cable line 70 the New
England coast was repaired and news
thus sent forward
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

Halifax has one Of the finest harbors
in the world, and has been since the
outbreak of the war military and naval
Headquarters for the British in Amer
lea. Ever since the city was founded,
in 1749. it has been the centre Of Brit
ish military activity, having been es-
tablished at the instance of New Eng
land colonists, who were prompt to
recognize the advantages Of its Won
derful harbor. Still surrounded by
settlements which the earlier French
had established in that part Ct the
world. Halifax has nevertheless re-
NAMED essentially British, and for
years has been proudly termed by
Britons the warden of the Honor Oh
the North"
Dominated by its picturesque Citadel,
on an eminence 225 feet above the sea,
the city has eleven forts commanding
its magnificent harbor, but in 1905, as
q mark of thu friendly relations be-
tween this country and Great Britain,
all the British regular troops stationed
there were withdrawn, and the care OIL
Halifax and the fortifcations was COM
mitted to the Dominion government.
Point of Embarkation
Thus stripped temporarily of its mil
itary glory, the old town more than
came to its own again with the declara-
ton Of war by England on Germany.
From its harbor sailed those numerous
overseas contingents of Canadian fight
ing men whom the British navy con-
voyed, as it has since proudly boosted,
without the loss Of a man by subma-
rines.
Az the war wore on the town became
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Halifax Wires Down; ,
World in Suspense;
Facts Guido Rumors
All Lines of Communication
Broken for 80 Miles Around
the Stricken City

The disaster which smote the rev
citadel of the Canadas cut its wire
communication with the rest of the
world. For thirty miles around Hall
fax the wires were struck dumb "hile
the reverberations of the first shock
still rumbled in the hills. Rumors
leaped the gap. but even rumor was
inadequate TO tell the story which be-
gan to falter over the wires as the
hours wore on.
Soon Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
and Quebec were palpitant with re-
ports which seemed incredible, but
grew in dread as the day waxed. By
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Ship Blown Up
By FLYING Shell

81 heard the Belgian steamers
whistle blowing, and then ] saw the
munitions ship was on fire on the star
board side. We tried TO turn back to
warn the officials at the drydock, but
before we reached there a she'll struck
US. believe | was the only one Of
the five on board the Wasper b to
escape as she was blown up. My son,
who worked with the drydock, was
killed"
Colonel McKelvey Bell, who spent
two years on the firing line in Elan
ders. said tonight he never had seen
ANYTHING on the battle front to equal
the scenes Of destruction he witnessed
in Halifax to-day.
1t was reported tonight that all the
guests in the hotels of the city are
safe. Some of them were cut by flying
glass, but,none was seriously injured.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Mont Blanc ODned by
French Steamship Co.

The steamship Mont Blanc, which
crashed with the relief ship Iona off
Halifax, was owned by the Compagnie
Generate Transatlantique and was
under orders of the British Admiralty
at the time Of the disaster, according to
Oscar r. Cauchois, Of 458 West 14lth
Street. New York, agent of that COM
psny. Mr. Cauchois stated last night
the Mont Blanc had arrived at an Al
lantic port on November 9, though her
movements from the time she sailed
from that port were unknown to any
one except her officers and officials of
the Admiralty.
The names of the crew, Mr.. Cauchois
said, would not be available until they
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Fire Department Chief Slain

The business life OF the city had,
Just begun for the day when the town
was shaken to its foundations by the
explosion. Persons in the streets were
picked up bodily and hurled 70 The
ground Occupants Of office buildings
covered under a shower OF falling
glass and plaster. Houses in Richmond
section erumpled up and collapsed,
burying their tenants.
In the main part Of the city. where
the buildings are chiefly Of stone or
concrete, the damage was confined to
the shattering Of windows. and most
Of the casualties in this section were
caused by flying glass
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Cars Blown OF Tracks
2 Miles From Explosion

AMHERST, n. S, Dec. 6.-The eX-
plosion was so terrific that it destroyed
installation in telegraph and telephone
Offices for a thirty-mile radius around
Halifax.
The premises affected in many places
caught fire. The force Of the concus-
sion was so great that freight cars were
blown off railway tracks at distance
of nearly two miles from the scene Of
the explosion.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Fire Chief Killed
AS Engine Explodes

Among those killed were the cn1lel
OF the Fire Department and his dep
uty, who were hurled to death "Aeh
a fire engine exploded. 80, 49,
scores of those who lost their lives
were children in the public schools in
the North End. Many others suffered
broken limbs, and were rescued with
difhculty from the ruined buildings
The teachers who escaped INJURY
worked heroically to save the lives oil
the children under their charge.
Lebaron Coleman, manager OF the
Canadian Express Company, was killed
when the roof collapsed.
In less than half an hour after the
disaster 5000 persons had gathered on
the common and thousands Of others
Rad sought refuge in fields outside the
city. Hundreds were reported missing
by their relatives, and it was not known
whether they were alive or dead.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

nitions ship carried a deck load Of
benzinc
Charles Prest, Pasolene engineer on
the steamer Wasper g., which had been
in drydock, had narrow escape from
death.
1--WE had eighty gallons of Gasolene
in our tanks when a shell from the mu-
nitions ship struck u.s." he said. I'VE
had just left the drydoek to go TO Bed
ford Basin 10 get some plates and were
opposite the Lorne Club when we saw
the Iona coming down from the basin
and the Mont Blanc going up.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

10 o'clock, an hour after the 'oma
rocked the Dominion with its crash
into the Mont Blanc, Amher:, ~.
s., was frsntically informing the
world that there had been tremen-
dous explosion in the harbor of Hall
fax.
st. John, n. b., and Truro, n. s.,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

was in Halifax at the time OF the ex-
plosion, and that the report that one Of
them had been in collision with the am
munition ship was erroneous.
The Red Cross liner, Florizel, the Of
fcials said, was at Halifax earlier in
the week, but left on Tuesday, and her
arrival at st. Johns. y. f., was reported
Yesterday
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
Halifax Chief British Military
Centre This Side of the Atlantic
Harbor Js One Of the Finest in the Word-Canadian
Overseas Contingents Mobilize lhere-Peace
Population $4,000

a port of great value in other respects.
Vessels. neutral and otherwise, were
halted there by the British for ,nspec-
tion and spy-combing. -,
Count Won Bernstorff's ship was held
there for inspection.
The harbor is six miles long by about
a mile in width, and with an adjacent
arm is deep and ample enough, it Is
said. to float all the navies of Europe.
II is never closed by ice, and the Do
minion government has long had in
process of development plans to make
it one of the most important points
for water transshipment on this side
Of the ocean.
Peace Population $4,000
The city proper is built mainly of
wood, but there are many stone
structufts. In 1911, according to the
census, the city had population OF
$1,000, but it has probably grown
greatly with wartime conditions.
The area which. dispatches indicate,
was wrecked by the explosion includes
an extensive residential section, as well
as numerous institutions. banks and
government buildings. Even Citadel
Hill il within the stricken territory.
The most important part OF the
waterfront was in this zone. In addi-
ton 20 many churches and schools, the
railway station, government dockyard,
Wellington Barracks, Admiralty House
(the official residence of the admiral
in command Of the British North
American squadron), Military Hospital.
Garrison Chapel. Postofiice, Provincial
Parliament Building, City Hall, Ord
nance Department, most Of the depart
ment stores, all of the telegraph and
cable Offices and a few hotels were sit
uated there.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

Hayes had not been discovered tonight although except
tor him the Of beth vessels saved.
Fire Department Chief Slain
Among the dead Edward the Fire Department.
William Brun Deputy Fire Chief Broderk of the Fire
Department. the wife and the Rev W j. Swatman Of the Kaye
Street Methodist Church. Murdoch Chisholm.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

were made public by the British Home
Office.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07
ADVERTISEMENT

Jump in with a smile. 1t won't
hurt the bed and you are bound
to be happy at the prospect Of a
good nights rest.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-07

fax was being rushed to the burning
city.