The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-12-14
AMERICAN AMMUNITION
VESSEL WAS RAMMED

N&S -
the results of a collision of two
steamships, an American con-
tanning ammunition. The result
ant explosion disabled the teIe-
graph wires severing Halifax from
the world. An explosion oc-
CURED at Rockingham. A sub
urban village near Halifax and
hundreds of buildings were re-
ported in flames and scores of
lives lost. Crews of the ships COL
liding we're killed.
Telephone messages say the
terrific explosion was heard sixty
miles away destroying the install
Iation in all telegraph offices with
in thirty miles. One report placed
the dead at fifty.
An American munitions steamer
is said to have been moving out
from a pier when it Mas rammed
broadsides by another vessel.
Buildings along the water front
that several transports were in
Halifax harbor when the expIo-
sion occurred and nothing of their
fate has been obtained.
A fierce storm was sweeping
the harbor and it is supposed that
the collision was due to this.
were torn to pieces and ware
houses for a mile and a half being
damaged, some catching fire.
Freight cars along a two mile
stretch were blown from the track
and the roof of the railway station
collapsed.
Messages asking for fire fighting
apparatus, doctors nurses and
hospital supplies were received
by a number of localities in Nova
Scotia from Halifax. Special
trains Immediately were made up.
1t is understood that LARGE
quantities of food were destroyed,
threading a possible famine. Near
by towns are prepared to give aid.
ST. John, N. E., December g.
1t was stated positively here
Halifax, Via Havana, December
6.-Hundreds were killed and a
thousand others injured and half
of Halifax is in ruins as the re-
suit of a munition ship explosion
in the harbor. 1t is estimated
that of the property loss is a mill
lion.
IAssocia'od Press Disnatch.1
Amherst, Nova Scotia, December
Scores of dead line the streets {
Halifax as the result of a collisio
in the narrows near this city betwee
an American munition ship and an
other vessel, which caused an eX
plosion which literally blew the tw
vessels to pieces and killed the crew
of both vessels. Street cars wei
blown from the tracks by the fore
of the explosion. All elevators an
business houses on the water fror
we're destroyed by the force of tn
blast. For a time all wire commun1
cation with Halifax was cut OF
Practicallr every business house
the city from the Queens hotel mort
is in ruins. An urgent call to TuI
asks for nurses, surgeons, etc. Hun
dreds of dead strew the streets. an
no estimate of the loss of life can b
made at the present time.
War Department Inquiry.
Washington, December 6.-The we
department is making every inquir
possible as to the cause of the eX
plosion on the American munitio
ship at Halifax. All inquiries are bein
made by cable. The wireless will M
be resorted to, for fear that valuabl
information to the enemy might b
picked up in the air.
A telegram from Toronto saws tina
Halifax is on fire. Special trains ar
being rushed to the city from Mont
ca1m and other places near by. Fir
fighting apparatus and surgeons an
nurses. food supplies. ETC.. are ais
being rushed to the stricken city
building north Of the Queen
hotel is in ruins, and some OF tn
are n mass of dead human
bodies. Sidney has made up a specia
with food and other suDplln
which has already been dispatched t.
the burning city. The situation
very bad.
Terrible Picture Of Affairs in Halifax
Amherst. N. s. December ere
ports saw that the whole northern
of Halifax is a mass of wreck
aee. fires broke out in a dozen part
Of the city. The area of destruction
covers several miles. Reports reach
ing Truro saws that it is feared sew,
aral score We're killed when the rail
station collapsed in Halifax.
Other advices rlace1 the dead from
the explosion at 300.
A Red Cross liner is said to hav,
with the munition ship. TIL,
government depot used b,
the Canadian Pacific railway is de,
scribed as having entirely COLLAPSED
while the big government renair plan
at Willow park in the northwestern
nf the city is wrecked.
st. John reports half of tho nortl
end of Halifax in ruins. the dead ly.
ing thick in the streets and the hos.
pitfalls ovnr1owing. The injured ar,
walking about urtreatad. This infor.
came to st. John with the re.
establishment of communication will
Halifax this afternoon.
Men Stuck To Shin.
limited Press Dispatch.1
Mcncolm, Nova Scotia. December
--latest renorts from Halifax plac,
he death toll at nearly 400. Doctors
nurses and supplies are being rusho,
m special trains from all points with.
n a radius of eighty miles of Halifax
The entire northwestern part of tn,
,it- is in flames.