The Elbert County tribune., 1917-12-14
HALIFAX HORROR
STUNS DOMINION
Disaster Probably Most Fearful
That Ever Occurred on the
American Continent.
TOTAL LOSS OF LIFE UNKNOWN
iWIIi Surely Be Numbered by Thous-
ands-Stricken City One Of Great
6ritaIn's Important Military
Fosts-Its History.

The disaster mt Halifax, which cost
the lives OF at least 1000 people,
though the exact number will never
be known, plunged the Dominion into
mourning. 1t probably ranks as the
most fearful that ever occurred on
the American continent. Residents of
Halifax and thousands of volunteer re-
lief workers who came into the city
were dazed at the extent Of the hor-
ror.
The Belgian relief ship Imo collided
with the French munition vessel, Mont
Blanc, loaded with 5000 tons Of I. N.
T. and large quantity Of benzine.
The impact set fire to deck Iond
of benzine on the French ship and the
flames quickly communicated with the
munitions, resulting in practical
bombardment of the city.
The zone Of destruction In Halifax
itself extended from the North street
railway station as far north as Afric-
Vile to Bedford bnsin and covered an
area of about two square miles in the
section known as Richmond. The
buildings which were not demolished
by the force of the terrific explosion
were destroyed by the fire which fol-
lowed.
District DenseIy Populated.
The devastated district was the old
er part Of Halifax md thickly popu-
lated. 1t contained, in addition to
Citadel hill. many churches and
schools, the railway station, govern
ment dockyard. Wellington barracks,
Admiralty House (the official resi-
dence Of the admiral In command OF
the North American British squad
ROM. the military hospital, post office,
provisional parliament building, city
hail. the ordnance department, most of
the department stores. all of the tele-
graph and cable offices and a few ho-
tells.
The better residence district was al
most unharmed. 1t lies southwark
from the Queens. and includes most of
the churches. including st. Mary's Ro-
man Catholic cathedral.
In the fire-swept section were the
parliament buildings. post office, three
newspaper offices. Royal Bank of Can
ada, Canadian Bank of Commerce.
Bank of Nova Scotia. Bank of British
North America and the Bank OF Mon
treal.
Other structures destroyed are Dal-
housie college. two Roman Catholic
converts, the Presbyterian Theological
college, the government technical col
lege. AZ churches and so factories, in
Guiding iron foundries. 5reweries, dis
tilleries and two sugar reflneries.
FAMOUS FOR BEAUTY.
One of the Oldest Of Canadian cities,
Halifax also is one of the most pic
turesque. 1t has two principal benu-
ty spots, Point Pleasant park and
the Public Gardens. The first lies
between the North Arm, ford three
miles long. and the harbor proper.
The North Arm is the cruising basin
for canoes and pleasure craft of small
size.
Two hundred acres of land make
up Point Pleasant park, and the woods
hare been left in wild state. Tho
roads are splendid. They were built
for military purposes. The park has
= pair Of magnificent iron gates given
to the city by Sir William Young, a
former chief justice of the province.
They are set at the head of Young
avenue. one of the principal roads Of
the park.