After the ammunition ship Mont-Blanc caught fire and drifted through Halifax harbour, six Niobe sailors and a warrant officer crossed in the cruiser's pinnace and boarded her in an effort to scuttle the ship. They understood the danger of fire around explosives and acted despite it. Mont-Blanc exploded while they were aboard, killing all seven and another seven members of Niobe's crew. The blast damaged the cruiser's upper works and tore her from moorings that had included an anchor embedded in concrete. Niobe was secured with additional anchors, remained a depot ship until 1920, and was later broken up. The account closes with the rescue party's deliberate courage in facing a danger they understood.
Chapter · 45:52-48:09
Niobe's sailors face the Halifax Explosion
Seven sailors crossed to the burning Mont-Blanc in an effort to scuttle her, and the explosion killed them plus seven more aboard Niobe.