Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-10
1000 Dead at Halifax

d. mile away when the ship blew up
and it got three Of US
| Captain Lamedoc although asler-
;rg to his purpose not TO talk of the af-
air in detail, admitted that in his mind
here was no question of tho cause.
Claims Collision Cause
The collision caused the explosion.
he said. there was no sign of fire pre-
vious to the moment the ship was hit
The munition ship had lain outside
the harbor Wednesday night and the
next day was ordered to proceed to an
| anchorage in Bedford basin. AS she
was passing through the Narrows. the
relief ship limo was moving out. Can
tain Lamedoc said that in the narrow
channel there was a mistake, some
how, in the exchange of signals be-
tween the two vessels. In maritime cir
cies the opinion seemed to be tonight
that the Frenchman was at fault Cap
tain Lamedoc said that the instant at
ter the crash "a gush of smoke" was
seen issuing from the vessel. Realizing
the danger TO his cargo he imm2-
diately gave or0ers for all hands .
take to the boats.
Taking up the story at this point an
officer said:
There were tanks of benzol and pic
rio acid aboard and we knew that the
jar of collision causing a spark had ig-
nited these chemicals among which the
flames could burn but few moments
before they spread to the T. y. T. Our
small boats were nearly swamped in
our efforts to escape. We feared that
the explosion would come before we
could make the short boat trip to the
shore and we pulled for the shore like
desperate men.
Gunner Killed Mile Away
ON the beach we found a multitude
ming the waters edge and watching
the dense mass of black and yellow
smoke rising from the deck of the
abandoned ship. A few took warning
from our mad flight and followed us.
We made for the woods and were a
mile inland. | should judge. when the
explosives let go. Our gunner was
struck by flying fragment of steel
and fell mortally wounded
| The wireless operator also was next
Int by piece of steel and fell beside
ms shlpmate. Another man was struck
but his injuries We're superficial"
According TO the information OBJ
tanned by government inspectors there
were 40 tons of the r. y. r. in the for
ward hold of the ship and $40 tons in
the holds aft. In addition, the cargo in
!cluded large quantity of shells and
ammunition of various kinds,
Nom Residents Requested to Leave
All non-resldents not engaged in re-
lief work or here on business of ex-
IRENE emergency today were requested
by Mayor Martin to leave the city at
once because of the serious lack of ac-
commodations and the shortage OF
food supplies
In proclamation the MAYOR urg-
ed persons not on relief. missions IN
stay away from Halifax for the next
| two weeks.
After reports from committees which
are endeavoring to handle a situation
almost beyond them, Mayor Martin H.
sued this proclamation with a request
10 local newspapers to print it in bic
type:
| On account of the serious lack OF
. accommodations and scarcity of food
supplies, all non-residents at present
IN the city not on relief work or bust
! ness of extreme emergency are re-
| queSted to kindly cooperate with the
relief committee by leaving the city
as soon as possible"
dundredS have come here TO seek miss
Ing friends and relatives and to look after
the safety of those from whom no mes.
sage had been received. Others are mere
ly curiosity seekers.
Telegraph offices are swamped with
messages from citizens to relatives and
friends every where, but wire facilities
thus far have been inadequate to carry
more than a fractional part of the bus
ness offered
Because OF the great strain put on the
CITY accommodations the executive head
Of the relief committee today asked tina
no additional doctors. nurses and othe,
voluntary helpers come to Halifax unit,
advised that their services can be imme.
diately used.
Laboring Glass Worst Sufferers
An appeal to the people of Canada TO.
from $50. 100000 to s25. coo 900 for immedjat.
rehef OF the homeless and the reconstvuc-
ton OF the stricken district of Halifa;
was sent out today by the mayors Of Ha;-
flax and Dartmouth. 1t was stated in the
appeal that the ruin was cor. pIete IN !,
wide area occupied almost exclusively b,
the laborng class
Government Approprates Million
Premier Robert H. Borden announced
mere tonight that preliminary appropr1a-
ton of sl.0tC,DJO had been made BY the ca.
EaNan government for immediate relief in
| Halifax This fund will be placed ii. once
In the hands of the citizens finance com.
mittee.
Steamer Wrecked on Way to Aid
! The story of the salvage steame,
Stella Maris, wrecked. while proceed
ing to the assistance of the munition
ship before the fire reached the cargo
! was told today by one of the sur
| Nivors. On the way out to Bedford
| Basin the vessel was ordered by ma
| val officers TO anchor her tow and
speed over to the Mont Blanc to as.
sist in fighting the flames. The Maris
! was close up to the Frenchman and
was preparing to make fast when the
explosion took place.
The Maris was driven ashore and
torn to ShredS CaDtain Erannap and