Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-13

to stand by impotent while what once
had been their homes became funeral
pyres for loved ones.
A government employee named Nc
Donald who made all speed to reach
his home after the explosion found
that his wife and four children had
persisted. His two-year- daughter
had been killed while playing in the
yard of her home.
Among those killed were the chief Of
the fire department and his deputy who
were hurled to death when a fre en-
CINE exploded.
SCORES OF CHILDREN DIE.
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
difficulty from the ruined buildings.
The teachers who escaped injury work.
ed heroically to save the lives of the
children under their charge.
Lebaron Coleman, manager Of the
Canadian Express company was killed
when the roof Of the north station col
lapsed.
In less than half an hour after the dis
aster five thousand persons had gathered
on the common and thousands Of others
had sought refuge in fields outside the
city Hundreds were reported missing by
their relatives and it was not known
whether they we're alive or dead.
PROMPT RELIEF WORK.
The work Of rescue and relief was
promptly organized. The Academy Of
Music and many public buildings were
thrown open to house the homeless. Five
hundred tents have been erected on the
common and these will be occupied by the
troops who have surrendered their bar
racks to the women and children.
Every nook and Granny in all available
buildings was made ready within an hour
to receive the wounded. A steady stream
Of ambulances and automobiles arrived at
hospitals which soon were filled to capa-
city with the injured. Doctors. nurses and
volunteers toiled ceaselessly in the work
Of succor. Their ranks soon were swelled
by others who arrived in constantly in
creasing numbers from nearby towns. 1t
was announced before nightfall that Is
of the injured had died.
Those who were only slightly injured
were sent to their own homes or to those
of friends after their wounds had been
treated. There were numerous cases Of
serious injury. however and 1t is expected
the death list will be greatly increased by
those who succumb to their wounds. Au-
sections Of the city tonight carrying blan-
ket-clad burdens.
OUTSIDE TOWNS HELP.
A committee Of citizens already has
been formed and assistance is asked from
all outside points. The supplies most
needed are glass. tar paper. beaver board.
putty. bedding and blankets. The mayors
Of all towns in the province have been
asked to rush supplies to Halifax.
The force of the explosion was felt at
Truro, rs miles away. where windows
were shattered. All telegraph and tele-
phone wires were torn down and for sew
eral hours Halifax was completely isolated
from the outside world
The conclusion shattered the big gas
tanks Of the city. All power plants are
out of commission and newspaper offices
have been SO badly wrecked that publca-
ton Is impossible.
MIX UP OF SIGNALS.
Pilot Frank Mackie Of the Mont Blanc
declared tonight that the collision re-
suited from confusion of whistles
sounded by the Iona. He believes the nre
which caused the explosion was due to the
fact that the munitions ship carried q
deckload Of benzine.
steamer Wasper B., which had been in
dry dock. had a narrow escape from
death.
I'VE had so gallons of gasoline in
our tanks when a shell from the NUM-
tions ship struck u.s." he said. I'VE
had just left the dry dock to go to Bed
ford Basin to get some plates and were
opposite the Lorne club when we saw
the Iona coming from the Basin and
the Mont Blac going up.
II heard the Belgian steamers whistle
blowing and then l saw the munitions
ship was on fire on the starboard side
We tried to turn back to warn the Of
fcials at the dry dock but before we
reached there a shell struck US. / be.
lieve l was the only one of the Ave or
board the wasper b. to escape as she
was blown up. My son. who worked
with the dry dock, was killed"
WORSE THAN FIRING LINE.
Col Mackenzie Bell VINO spent two
years on the firing line In Flanders
said tonight he never had seen any
thing on the battle front to equal the
scenes Of destruction he witnessed ir
Halifax to-day.
a, 1t was reported Tonight that all the
guest in the hotels Of the city are safe
Some of them were cut by flying glass
but none was seriously injured.
INCIDENT OF THE DISASTER.
The horrors Of an air raid possessed tn,
minds Of many when the explosion on tn.
Mont Blanc shook this fortress town Il
Its very foundations to-day. There were
three distinct shocks. First a comparative
ly light rumble like seismic disturbanc,
startled the city. A moment later a terrific
blast made even the citadel quake. Their
crash Of glass throughout a wide area
completed the confusion.
Thousands rushing into the open saw 9
! thick cloud Of gray smoke hanging ovsl