Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-12-14
The Halifax Explosion.

tne omclal estimate OF the toll exacted in
human lives and suffering by the explo-
sion and fires as the result of the collision
between the French munitions ship Mont
Blanc in Halifax harbor with the Belgian
relief steamship Iona, at 8 O'Clock on
Friday morning last.
Virtually all the north end of the city
was laid waste and the property damage
will run far into the millions. part of
the town Of Dartmouth. across the harbor
from Halifax, also was wrecked. Nearly
all the buildings in the dockyard there are
in ruins.
There has been no more distressing and
appalling calamity in North America than
that which blotted out the lives of thou
sands Of people and destroyed millions of
dollars worth Of property at Halifax. Only |
a rigid investigation will determine the |
responsibility for the harbor collision. and |
when that is done little will be gained |
except possible safeguard against SINH |
lar accidents in the future. Here was a |
vessel loaded to the guards with munitions. |
high explosives and with benzine tank |
on the deck Everything there was made
for destruction. for the destruction of hu-
man life and property, and it carried out
its deadly mission in the most unexpected
and most horrible manner that could be
conceived. Instead of be ing used against
enemies of this country it was used against
friends and well wishers, used against nom
combatants, against women and children,
against all who came within its reach
1t seems like the irony of fate that a
Belgian relief ship, preparing for its mis-
sion OF mercy, should have been the cause
OF such tragedy. Its collision with the
munitions transport could hardly have
been considered possible in so good
harbor and was probably due to a con-
sestion of shipping at that important port
There are few better harbors than that at
Halifax and it has long been a port of
call for many steamship lines that run
from Eastern ports across the Atlantic.
Its water traffic regulations have been of
the most stringent character, and few ac-
cidents have ever occurred through the
careless handling of any of its shipping.
Bitter cold weather and heavy snow
have added to the suffering of the thou
sands rendered homeless, but all of whom
must rejoice that they escaped with their
lives. Relief was prompt. Nearby cities
Of Canada, cities of New England Boston
and New York have rushed hospital and
food trains to the stricken city. Every
demand was met, but all that is done for
the living cannot bring back any of the
dead, nor wipe away the tears Of those
whose loved ones were taken away in a
Hash and without a moments warning.
Only those who witnessed the explosion
can appreciate the mighty power for de-
struction. 1t swept over the harbor front
like tornado loaded with dynamite. leav-
ing an awful wreck and ruin in its path.
Its noise was like that of an earthquake
and it struck terror into the hearts of all
who heard it. Few commissions of nature
in all the worlds history have equaled it
in sound and fury, and those who saw and
heard and were lucky enough to escape
with their lives, can ever forget the black
day in Halifax
The following is the story of an eye
witness Of the sad accident:
81 was engaged inspecting shells in a
shed on the water front when the devas-
tation began and barely escaped before
the building collapsed.
"A few seconds after the roar of the
explosion gust Of wind swept through
the shed and then down came pillars,
boards and beams. rushed to the open,
and the sight that met my gaze was the
worst that hope ever to see.
Il have been in the trenches in France.
have gone over the top Friends and
comrades have been shot in my presence.
have seen scores Of dead men lying upon
the battlefield. but the sight that greeted
me was thousand times worse and far
more pathe tic.
Il saw people lying around under tim
bers. stones and other debris; some bat
tered beyond recognition and others eroan-
ing in their last agonies.
Rushing here and there. struggled to
assist them, and as near as can remem-
Der pulled % men and children from I'M
der the wreckage. AS was right in the
affected district, witnessed the full hor-
ror of the situation. Partly blinded by
the smoke from burning dwellings, CROPPED
around assisting some of the poor mothers
and little ones who were running about
screaming and searching vainly for lost
ones. in many instances never to be seen
by them again. l struggled on, coming
across more and more bodies of dead
men. women and children Death was
everywhere.
FLAMES were sweeping a wide pathway
for themselves. Doomed structures were
belching forth great volumes of smoke
from doors and windows. The district
was a living hell.
Half strangled by the smoke, kept
pulling out bodies from under beams and
fallen chimneys and under wreckage.
Some Of the bodies were without clothing
Many were so mutilated that it was diff
cult to realize that they were human.
Some men were virtually demented Think
ing only of their wives and children. they
dashed about in the burning debris, haz-
ardine their lives with the single thought
Of rescuing their own"