New-York tribune., 1918-02-05
Commander of Exploded
Munitions Ship and Man
in Charge Arrested
Both Are Accused
Of Manslaughter
Port Authorities Also Cen,
sured by Government
Commission of Inquiry

HALlFAX, n. S., Feb. 4.-Blame for
the collision between the French muni-
tons ship Mont Blanc and the Belgian
relief ship lmo, resulting in an explo-
sion aboard the former vessel and the
destruction of large part of Halifax
on December 6, was placed upon Pilot
MacKay. of Halifax. and Captain
Lamodeo, of the French ship. in judg-
ment announced to-day by the govern
ment commission which investigated d
the cause Of the collision.
With the announcement of the COM
missions judgment Pilot Mackay was
arrested, charged with manslaughter.
Captain Lamodeo was also arrested,
charged with manslauchter.
Both men we're admitted to bail for
their appearance tomorrow, Captain
Lamcdeo in $4,000, furnished in part
by French Consul Gaboury, and Mac
Kay in $4,000. furnished by the chair
!. man Of the pilotage commission.
Findings of Commission
The text of the conclusions of the
commission follow:
n The explosion of the steamship
Mont Blanc on December was un-
doubtedly the result of a collision in
the harbor of Halifax, between the
steamship Mont Blanc and the steam
ship lmo.
SO. Such collision was caused by VIC.
lation of the rules of navigation.
"5. That the pilot and master of the
steamship Mont Blanc were wholly re-
sponSlblc for violating the rules of the
road
"a. That Pilot MacKay, by reason o,
his gross negligence, should be forth
with dismissed by the pilotage author
tiles and his license cancelled.
"5. In view of the gross neglect OF
the rules of navigation by Pilot Mac.
Kay. the attention of the law officers
Of the crown should be called to the
evidence taken in this investigation
with view to a criminal prosecution
Of such pilot
IS. We recommend to the French au.
thorities such evidence, with a view tc
having Captain Lamodec's license can.
ceiled and such captain dealt with ac.
cording to the law of his country.
Pilotage Authorities Censured
a. That, it appearing that the pilot
age authorities in Halifax have beer
permitting Pilot MacKay to pilot ships
since the investigation commenced, and
since the collision above referred to, we
think the authorities. i. @. pilotage au-
thorltles deserving of censure
IS The master and pilot of the
Mont Blanc are guilty of neglect of the
public safety in not taking proper steps
to warn the inhabitants of the CITY of
probable explosion.
- (On,D,au6er W,a+. :; ~,,;,4 - .
neglect in performing his duty as chief
examination officer in not taking proper
steps to insure the regulations being
carried out and especially in not keep
ing himself fully acquainted with the
movements and intended movements of
vessels in the harbor.
10 In dealing with the chief ex-
animation officers negligence is not in
surlng the efficient carrying out of
traffic regulations by the pilots we have
TO report that the evidence is far from
satisfactory that he ever took any ef-
liclent steps to bring to the notice of
me captain superintendent neglect on
the patr of the pilots.
III. In view of the allegations of
d! ODE dience of the chief examination
otflcers orders by pilots. We do not
consider such disobedience was the
proXlmate cause of the collision.
"l2. 1t would seem that the pilots Of
Halifax attempt to vary the we'll known
rules of the road, and in this connec-
ton we think Pilot Renner, in charge
OF an American tramp steamer on the
morning of the collision, deserving of
censure.