2017-12-06
Page from Barometer Rising I think:
At nine o'clock, just minutes before the explosion, naval divers from HMCS Niobe were working on the concrete foundations of a crane bed off the Dockyard pier. Chief Master at Arms John Gammon, RCN of HMCS Niobe was in charge of the detail that consisted of two divers and six sailors to man the pumps and air lines. The pumps, manned by hand, stood in a wood and corrugated iron shelter.
The party had been so busy in their work that they were not aware of the ship on fire. One diver was underwater, the second diver was on the ladder when the explosion occurred and was thrown into the water. The two sailors helping the divers and those manning the pumps were killed. John Gammon and Able Seaman Walter Critch RCN were hit by the blast but survived.
Walter Critch went to the shed, moved some timbers and found the pump undamaged. He held up the wreckage with one hand and with the other he turned the wheel on the pumps to keep a small amount of air going to the divers.
John Gammon quickly went down the ladder as the water level decreased during the tidal wave. He found the divers alive but tangled in their life lines and air hoses. Gammon was able to untangle them and assist them up to the pier as the harbour waters returned and crashed over them. He unscrewed their face glasses and left Critch to take care of them. Seeing smoke rise from Richmond District he went to his home on Union Street to see if his wife and two youngest children were safe. He found the flats completely demolished and no sign of life. He went to St. Joseph's School on Kaye Street to search for his two older daughters, they were not there.
The next day John Gammon received news that his 7 year old daughter, Dorothy, was with a family. Eva May, 5 years old was in the care of the Sisters at Mount Saint Vincent. Two days after the explosion Gammon located his badly injured wife in a hospital. Freddy, 3 years old and Laura, 14 months, were never found.
John Gammon and Walter Critch later received awards for their brave rescue work on the pier.