The Detroit times., 1917-12-06

Queens hotel is totally wrecked
North.st station is 10 ruins, as wei
~ our plant az Willow park, ans
there n one mass OF wrccknge ant
aead bodies Ia the north end Of th'
eity. Special trains from Sydne5
with doctors. nurses and h0spita
supplies are on their way Am aisC
arranging for food supplies and q
send coaches to Halifax 20 take
people away"
TRURO. n. s., Dec. G.-Forty or
30 persons are dead In the HaiuaA
munitions explosion. according ia
gragmentary reports received here
this afternoon.
There iE no estimate 0f TIRE natl=
be- OF injured
Doctors and nurses, FIRE fighting
equipment and supplies are neins
rushed 20 the Canadian naval port
from every town within so miles
The northwestern portion OF me
CITY IA burning. The explosion
came when an American munition,
steamer WAS rammed amidships 0y
an incoming vessel.
buildings three miles from the
scene were damaged The ROOF OF
the Halifax railway station was
torn on So terrific was the eXplo-
sion that the report was plainly
heard here. 60 miles from Halifax
II win probably take several days
20 restore telegraphic commnnica'
fion.
AMHERST. y. s., Dec 6.--Scores
are dead in Halifax, hundreds Of
buildings are destroyed and srcftuas
OF the city are in flames as the re-
suit OF a collision between an Amer
lean munitions steameE and another
ship IN The narrows near the suburb
OF Richmond today.
Crews OF both vessels were killed
Instantly. according 20 reports re-
ceiyed here. WAREHOUSES; alOuE TIC
water front were partially dem0Iish-
ed. Firemen were called from Am
herst. Reports received here could
EiTe- e-Ha-aeanlLe abatement of the
number killed and injured.
Att lNiAN VI AAAE ia IANEAhAA hAf "
freight cars OF the tracks. partially
destroyed all the buildings from the
Queens hotel on Hollis-st. 10 the
North-st. station, smashed the sta
tiun roof and is believed 10 have set
nre 20 stores. Food IS being rushed
TO the stricken city.
Communication with Halifax is
very irregular. For time all wires
into the city were lost. Efforts are
now being made to get more infor-
nation. One OF the last messages
60 come thru declared the loss Of
life was appalling.
Richmond, near where the oolli-
nion occurred. is directly across the
bay from Halifax. Reports here said
the American munitions vessel was
rammed broadside by the other ship,
scattering death and destruction
broadcast
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The navy
department is making inquiries and
endeavoring 20 get information as
70 the explosion at Halifax. Be
fore noon nothing had been received
aside from press dispatches.
Inquiry by the department is be
ing made by cable. Wireless viii
not be called into play unless this
is found 70 be the only means Of
communication owing 10 the desire
OF keeping any information that
might be Of value to the Germans
out OF the air where It might be
picked up.
The shipping board intimated that
several American munition ships
have recently left United States
ports for italy. France and Eng
land. Until the name OF the Hall
fax vessel is learned the board said
II could not give details or crew,
cargo and destination.
Presumably the destroyed ship
carried the usual naval gun crew
guard who probably lost their lives.
Failing TO get immediate response
20 It's Inquiries by cable, the navy
department tried 10 get in touch
with Canadian officials by long dis
tance telephone this afternoon.
Naval officers displayed concern
over the fate OF the American muni-
tions vessel and were extremely
anxious to obtain full details of the
accident.
RESP CLAD To