Elixir Resonator Strings

This morning I decided to replace the strings on my Continental resonator with the newly purchased Elixir strings. I did not get far. As I began to tension the first, high E, string it broke even before it was possible to get a note out of it. Now I have a very expensive set of five strings which are of no use to me and no high E because I cut it off. (The rating system now wants me to rate the sound - but how, when there is none?)