DEATH SHIP ARRIVES IN HALIFAX HARBOR: 116 BURIALS AT SEA

DEATH SHIP ARRIVES IN HALIFAX HARBOUR: 116 BURIALS AT SEA

Bodies Unidentified Through Mutilation Returned to the Deep Sea.

Halifax, N.S., April 30 - With the band of H.M.C.S. Niobe playing "Death March in Saul" on the battleship dock, the bells tolling, and the flags dropping listlessly at half-mast throughout the city, the Mackay-Bennet with the dead steamed slowly through Halifax harbour this morning and tied up at the naval

dockyard. Beyond the bells and the band everything was silent.

On the pier stood the sailors of H.M.C.S. Niobe with appropriate signficance of on this occassion: those who were to handle the dead, and a few of the relatives - no more than one hundred in all, including one woman, a Miss Eliza Laurette of New York, a survivor. Outside the gates of the dockyard, every vantage point was crowded with a respectable throng: police, military, and naval guards standing watch over the gates.

Confiscated American Cameras.

The Only disturbing element in the impressive scene was a group of photographers representing American newspapers who had hired a tug to get near the cable ship. They were speedily interrupted in the work by a boat from the Niobe, the crew of which confiscated the cameras.

Bodies of 306 Were Recovered.

Bodies of 306 victims of the Titanic disaster were picked up at sea.One hundred and sixteen bodies were buried at sea. These bodies were found to be in such conditions as to preclude their being brought to port. One hundred and ninety bodies were on board the cable ship Mackay-Bennett when she made port today. Of these two were women.

The body of John Jacob Astor, millionaire was identified on board the Mackay-Bennett, by the jewelry [sic.] he wore, and a few cards found in a card case in his pocket, according to members of the crew.

Captain Richard Roberts, seeking Col.Astor's body, reported after a conference with Commander Lardner of the Mackay-Bennett that he was sure the identification

was proper. He added, however, that the body identified as that of George B. Widener of Philadelphia was so mutilated that identification was still in doubt. Capt. Lardner could not say positively whether it was that of Mr. Widener or his valet.

C.M. Hays' body was not on the Mackay-Bennett. Probably it is on the SS. Minia.

Took Four Hours to Unload

The remains of Isador Straus, the Philadelphia millionaire philanthropist, were on the Mackay-Bennett.

Not one name of prominent persons missing was added to the list of recovered dead by the Mackay-Bennett's arrival. Sailors worked four hours unloaded here, and the dead were driven slowly up the hill to an improvised morgue in a curling rink where relatives will have the opportunity to claim them.

The cable ship docked at 9.40 a.m. and it was not until after one that the last

of the coffins had been removed from here deck. Only a handful of the bereaved and their representatives came to the pier.

There were no bullet wounds found on any of the bodies.