Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-06
HALIFAX IN FLAMES
Continued From Page 0ne.)

for ocean steamers 1t was at this
portion of the harbor that ex-Ambas
sador Bernstorff and party were held /
and examined on their way from the
United States to Germany.
Fierce Storm Was Raging.
At the moment OF the explosion a
fierce storm was sweeping the harbor
and it is supposed that the collision
of the vessels was due to this.
The munitions ship blown up was
said to have been an American.
| 1t was reported that a transport was
in the harbor at the time but nothing
definite concerning this could be
/ learned.
One of the buildings that suffered
( severely was occupied by the Western
Union Telegraph company and was
the terminus of the cable lines to the
United States. One report says that
two telegraph operators were killed
and another that several employees lost
their lives.
Censor is In Control.
It is possible that the censorship
at Halifax may prevent details Of the
disaster becoming known Immediately
when wire communication is restored.
Meanwhile frantic efforts are being
made by telegraph companies here to
restore their lines to some point in the
vicinity of Halifax and within easy
, reach by courier.
Transports Were in Harbor.
Later it was stated positively here
THAT there were several transports in
the harbor when the explosion occur
. red Nothing as to the fate of these
) was obtainable. Neither is it known
! whether the transports were filled
5 with troops or occupied only by their
crews.
s Attempts to communicate with Hal
0 flax by telephone failed, as none OF
the wires which went down during a
storm Sunday had been restored. Ell
forts to raise some point on the PENN
sula were continued.
The radio is the most likely instru
= lment of communication and this source
g, was being worked to the limit this
ID forenoon.
). Military Take Charge.
s, st. John, n. B., Dec. 6.---The las
s, word received by wire from Halifa,
regarding the explosion said the mil
s. itary had taken charge of the Cana
4 dian Pacific Telegraph company an
had ordered all telegraph operator
out of the building.
Only two operators in the office es
capped injury. Scores OF persons 0
e. the docks were killed. The fire start
q ed in the north end town Of the cit
W which bore the brunt OF the explosion
Area of Devastation.
% Amherst. n. s., Dec, 6.-The Queen
- hotel on Hollis street, near Sackvil
street. marks approximately the souu
~ ern limit Of the devastated area,
", is reported. The whole northern Sc
W ton Of Halifax is a mass OF wrecka}
and fires have broken in dozen par
Of the city, according to reports r
ceived shortly after noon.
I'd The area of destruction covers Sc
eral miles. The Canadian governme
denot used by the Canadian Pacii
railway is described as having entir
Iv collapsed, while big governme
err renair plant at Willow Park, in t
To- northwestern section of the city,
,ck wrecked.
nty The vessels collided soon after s.:
err This morning and it is presumed IN
en- the munition ship was hit in t
ion stoke hold. Instantly flames we
as seen to pour from her. The crew
xth neared TO be making an effort 10
ON The fire fighting apparatus TO wo
ts," when the explosion occurred.
the
ned For many wears Halifax has be
aid tho chief British military and ma
Ilso station on the American continent
on harhor. one of the most spacious
ire the world. Is large enough TO ii
for the entire British navy and is stroni
re- fortified. In addition TO the fortiii
ing tiors there is government dock "
the CONTAINING an immense dry dock
OF Tho city's population, according
are- rho 1911 census is about $4,000, hi
,urt sa~ Is the eastern terminus or
ma Canadian Pacific railway and the =
fore adam government railways stes
esr- ssir lines operate between the ?
and noints in New Foundland, Or
,his prstain the United States and
9l7. West Indies. I,
= since the outbreak Of the war Il
FAY has assumed more import
S. nos,tion than ever, as It is the PR
nai mort from which men. muniti
and supplies are transported !
tho canada to the battlefelds OF tlane
and northern France.