More about Charles Clark McMillan

On 6th December 1917 the French Steamer “Mont Blanc” with a cargo of explosives and the Norwegian Steamer “Imo” were in a collision in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. A fire broke out on the “Mont Blanc” immediately after the collision. The Commanding Officer of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship “Niobe” which was lying in the harbour, on seeing what had happened, sent away a small steam boat to see what could be done. Seven crew members including Leading Seaman McMillan volunteered to form a crew of this boat, but just as she got alongside the “Mont Blanc” exploded killing the entire crew of the small vessel. A letter of condolence was issued which stated ” The boats crew were fully aware of the desperate nature of the work they were engaged on, and by their gallantry and devotion to duty they sacrificed their lives in the endeavour to save the lives of others.”

The Halifax explosion was a maritime disaster in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which occurred when 2 ships collided in the harbour. A fire on the French ship ignited her cargo causing a massive explosion that devastated the Richmond District of Nova Scotia. Approximately 2,000 people were killed by debris, fires and collapsed buildings, and an estimated 9,000 people were injured. It was the largest man made explosion before the nuclear era.

Charles emigrated to Canada circa 1913. He married Mary and they at 47 Queen St, Halifax. He previously served with the Royal Navy Reserve, service number A4243. Prior to enlistment he stated his occupation was Mariner. He mobilized with the RNR at Halifax on August 22, 1914 with the Rank of Able Seaman. AB McMillan was originally posted to H.M.C.S “Diana” at Halifax. He then transferred to the RCNVR on September 09, 1915 and was posted to H.M.C.S. “Niobe”. On February 01, 1917 he was promoted to Leading Seaman.

Following his death a letter was sent to his wife as follows,

8th December, 1917

Madam, In confirmation of my telegram of the 8th December, I very deeply regret to have to inform you that your husband Mr Charles McMillan, Leading Seaman, was killed in the disaster at Halifax. I beg that you will accept the heartfelt sympathy of myself and of the department of the Naval Service in your great loss.

Signed, Deputy Minister of the Naval Service.

and another

extract from Submission of H.M.C.S. Niobe, dated 20.01.1918

Charles McMillan Leading Seaman Official No 537

Leading Seaman was the Coxwain of the Niobes steamboat which was dispatched to the “Mont Blanc” at the time the fire was reported.

Seaman McMillan was no doubt at the wheel at the time of the explosion, and it is presumed that he was instantly killed in the execution of his duty. Up to the present no trace of his body has been found.

Charles has no known grave but is remembered on the Halifax Memorial.

For more information on Charles, visit Charles Memorial His Ship H.M.C.S. Niobe

Charles was the brother of Pte William Nicoll McMillan, 136620, 1st Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles.

There is a reference to Charles in the Dundee Peoples Journal 29/12/1917 page 16, available in Dundee Central Library.

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Charles C McMillan was the son of Mr William and Mrs Helen McMillan of 25 Dallfield Terrace, Dundee. He was married to Mrs Mary McMillan and father of William who was 7 months old at the time of his father’s death. Their home address was 378, Lippincott Street, Toronto, Ontario. Charles McMillan had joined the Royal Naval Reserve at the Customs House in Dundee on 31 March 1912 and his service number was 4243A. During his service between 1912 and 1913 he was employed as an Able Seaman in the British Mercantile Marine but trained with the Royal Navy onboard the battleship HMS Venerable. It seems that he emigrated to Canada between 1913 and 1914 as he did not respond to the Mobilisation in August 1914 and his service record is marked as Run. There are no further annotations after 1916 until 1919 when his widow requested details of his service number. He joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve when in Canada and was killed during explosion of an ammunition ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The detonation in the harbour of Halifax, unleashing a blast equivalent to about 3,000 tonnes of TNT. The resulting shockwave instantly killed more than 1,000 people and created a 50-foot-tall tidal wave. In all, 2000 men, women and children died and 9000 were injured. Charles McMillan is commemorated on the Halifax Memorial, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. HMCS Niobe was the base ship in Halifax.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie