Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-12-07

Halifax. y. s., b,". 1.-Two thou
sand persons are dead. 5000 or more
injured and fully one-half of the City
OF Halifax is in ruins Us the result of
m explosion in Bedford Basia. north
Of town. when the Iona, Belgian re-
lief ship. collided with the French mu-
milton ship Mont Blame.
The Mont Blanc was blown to pieces
but the crew escaped by the ships
boats before the explosion
The pilot asserts that the collision
was due TO a confusion of signal whis-
ties.
Many Seamen Lost.
ne Mont Blanc was pierced on the
port sic almost to the engine room.
The Iona. which was only slightly
damaged backed away when flames
burst out on the munitions ship and
was abandoned by the crew.
The captain of the Mont Blanc also
ordered his crew to the boats as he
realized an explosion was iu> vitnble.
The men reached shore safely before
the tremendous blast. II minutes later,
which blew their ship to pieces
Members of crews of ships in the
harbor We're killed and injured. On
one steamer, the Pictou. it is report
ed that 13 of the crew of 10 were
killed. Bodies of many seamen have
been picked up in the harbor.
Fire Threatens City.
Fire following the explosion, and
which early threatened to wipe out the
entire city caused property damage
which will run into millions
The force of the explosion wrecked
telegraph installation for miles in
every direction.
Virtually all the north end of the
city was laid waste and the property
damage will run far into the millions.
Dartmouth Also Hit.
A part of the town Of Dartmouth
across the harbor from Halifax, also
was wrecked. Nearly all the buildings
IN the docliyard there are IN ruins.
The zone of destruction in Halifax
itself extends from the North street
railway station as far north rs Afric-
vile to Bedford basin and covers an
area of about two square miles in the
district known as Richmond.
The buildings which were not de
explosion were destroyed by the fire
which followed.
Persons Injured in Collapse.
Scores Of persons were injured by
the collapse of the railway station,
Arena rink, military gymnasium, SUI
gar refinery and elevator. All business
has been suspended Armed guards of
soldiers and sailors are patrolling the
city. Not a street car IL moving and
part of Halifax was in darkness last
night.
The collision occurred on the wa
ter front off Rockingham, II suburb on
the opposite shore Of the harbor from
the City of Halifax, shortly before
s 80 o'clock In the morning
Tons of Explosives.
The Mont Blame, which arrived at
United States Atlantic port on No
vember ., was laden with 1900 tons of
munitions for France. As She was
leaving her berth, presumably for the
outward voyage across the Atlantic,
she was rammed brOadside by the Bel
gian relief ship.
The impact caused the ammunition
In the French ship to explode, setting
the vessp! atire. The flames spread to
the piers and adjoining holdings
many of which had been wrecked by
the explosion
Try to Fight Fire.
The ships crew was quickly called
to quarters and an attempt was made
to extinquiSh the flames This failed
and as the fire approached the holds
where the explosives were stored the
captain ordered the scaCockS opened
and the crew took to the boats, rowing
Tor their lives.
But the vessel drifted towalJ one o.
the piers and a few moments later al
explosion occurred tearing the Mint
Blanc to pieces.
Overwhelming Blast
What happened after that can only
I've oniectured IN lar-c measure.
Everybody seems dazeG by the result.
THE coucuss.on must nave been posi-
lively over .,nelming
It Killed telegraph operators at their
desks four miles aNay,
II hro,-p windows I'm Truro. II blow