Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-12
Another Scare
 Given Halifax
BY STEAMER AFiRE SAID TO HAVE
 CARGO OF MUNITIONS
ABANDONED BY CREW
A Group of partrnoGtf1 Citizens Board
 ed the Ship and distinguished the
 Flames--Sarwivors Of ino Tell of Cause of CoIlision-iooting Begun.

Halifax, N. S., Dec. 11.-With com plete disregard for their own lives, in an effort to save this desolated city from another catastrophe, group of ed a steamship, said to have been laden with munitions, which was af1re, and which was being abandoned hastily by her crew.
 Carried DeekIoad of Oil.
 The vessel carried a deckload of oil and as she came in close to shore with smoke pouring from her superstructure the sight of her beeing crew stirred the watchers ashore to prompt action. A volunteer fire fighting force was was boarded. After hard work the flames were eXtinguished. The crew remained ashore today preferring the scant relief shelter provided in Dart mouth.
 Since the explosion on the Mont Blanc, crews of French munition vas- sells are Reported to be unwilling to enter Halifax harbor.
 Statements by Two Survivors. According to statements obtained to- day from survivors of the Norwegian steamer Imo, which collided with the Mont Blanc. the latter ship flew no red flag to indicate that she carried cargo of Explosives. They declared also that they were not aware that the Mont Blanc was munitions laden
 
 running away they thought it was due to the fire and not fear of an eXplo- sion. They asserted the Mont Blanc was coming into the harbor on the wrong side when the collision occurred. Confused by Whistle Blasts. There was a slight mist they said, and while in the narrows they heard two blasts, indicating that a ship was approaching on the Halifax side of the harbor, which was the wrong side. The 1mo's course was directed toward the Dartmouth side and while taking that dicated vessel was, on the right side. 1 The Imo attempted to stop but could not, and the Mont Blanc was struck under the bridge. starboard. Hope Abandoned for Sixty Men.
 Hope was abandoned today for sixty men who were loading provisions on the steamer Picton at the Acadia sugar There were shells on the ship and when fire broke out on the Mont Blanc they decided to put the covers on the holds though most of them knew the Mont Blanc carried high explosives. As the shock came, the pier to which the ship was moored collapsed, l mass of wreckage. It is believed the sixty men were buried in the ruins. In order to augment the police force and give the much overworked con- stables a chance to rest, a number of prominent men of the city undertook the work of regular constables to- night. Man Found Alive in the Ruins. A man who survived the explosion was found among the ruins today He was discovered while searchers were 1 removing the debris from the North street railway station. He had Teen caught between two beams, and beyond few bruises was unhurt- It is pre- GIT rcd f1n ho1 since Thursday. When placed on his feet he seemed dazed and asked what had happened. His identity has not been learned.
 Lootins Has Begun. At the request of the city board of control, the military authorities will place mounted patrol on the de- stroyed area to suppress footing. To- day number of freight cars were opened and liquor was stolen One 1 woman reported to the police tha. while unconscious she wa3 robbed of $1O0. Joseph Johnson, fire depart ment driver, who was thrown to the street from his engine by the explo- sion, had money taken from his pock- l Warning was issued about picking up explosives after an accident this morning to Clifford Condran a boy He picked up a tube and struck it ! with a hammer. It exploded and in
 
 I ed to recover.
 Unable to Sort Mails. Since Thursday Halifax has been practically cut off from mail communi- cation with the outside world The few officials able to work at the post office, with the condition the building is in, have been unable to sort. the mails.
 The city began the task of clear ing the streets of thoa1sands of tons of broken glass. Interments took place all day at the cemeteries. A scare was caused today when one of the, walls of the building housing a number of American doctors was found to be in very dangerous con- dition and likely to collapse. It was shored up after the occupants had been ordered out.
 MONTHLY REPORT OF
 cHAHE RlLnEA