HALIFAX DISASTER.

Western Star, 11 December 1917, Page 2

HALIFAX DISASTER.

COLLISION WITH MUNITION SHIP

CITY SET AFIRE,

HEAVY DEATH ROLL,

OTTAWA, December G.

An American munition ship collided with another vessel in the harbour of Halifax (Nova Scotia). The ship exploded and both crews were killed. Great fires are raging and have caused scores of deaths ashore. Several transports were in Halifax harbour and their fate is unknown, owing to telegraph communication being interrupted. Latest reports state that the explosion caused buildings in the waterfront to collapse and destroyed telegraph and telephone installations within a radius of thirty miles. The roof of the station collapsed. The death roll is stated to be fifty. The fires are still raging. There is no trace of the remains of the munition ship. The concussion threw railway cars off the tracks several miles away.

Telegrams from Amihurst, Nova Scotia, state that the whole northern section of Halifax is in flames. Fire 3 are raging in a dozen quarters of the city. • Rescue trains . have been despatched carrying nurses and doctors.

Latest direct advice from Halifax places the death roll at three hundred. Montreal telegrams state that railway and telegraph companies report that half 'of Halifax is ruined and that bodies of victims are lying in the streets. There were no troops awaiting embarkation. - The Richmond district of the city was destroyed. The wounded number thousands. Not a house in the city escaped damage. The fire is now under control. The new Government railway freight terminals were destroyed. The latest account states that a French munition ship was leaving her moorings when she collided and the force of the impact (started a fir© which spread and the ammunition exploded. No trace of the ship wa® left. The crew, seeing the fire approaching the hold, took to the boats, and it is believed they escaped. The concussion threw down buildings ashore and fires broke out in the whole north section, which wah soon aflame. It is reported that several hundreds perished. DEATH ROLL REACHES’ 800. HALIFAX, December 7. The Chief of Police estimates the death roll at 800. FIRE UNDER CONTROL. HALIFAX, December 7. The fire is under control. It, is estimated that 1000 are dead. 20,000 PEOPLE DESTITUTE. • OTTAWA, December 8. Sir R. L. Borden 'has placed the whole resources of the Federal Government at the disposal of the Halifax municipal authorities. The property -loss- is ■ estimated at £6,000,000. Four thousand dwellings were demolished, and 20,000 people are destitute. 4000 DEATHS. OTTAWA, December 9. The death roll at Halifax is now estimated at 4000. The bodies of 200 sailors and workmen have been recovered from the waterfront.. Blizzard weather continues.